The Portland daily press., 1878-10-26

$500 you think you are strong enough for
the situation ?" asked the Queen.
Hercules smiled, and, taking between his
fngers the cham that held his wrists, he
snapped it like thread. Then he looked
about and seeing the Premier near, he caught
him by the shoulder, turned him upside
down and balanced him on his extended
hand.
"That will do" said the Queen, remark
which was echoed by the disconnected facto-
tum. "But shall be almost afraid of one 30
powerful
He fell upon his knees at her feet, and
bowed his head. They were pretty little feet.
Omphale smiled to see this great monster
humbled before her-quite small woman.
81 think will have him. You can leave
him here. My prime minister will pay you."
The slave dealer retired. The slave still
knelt at the Queens feet. Oh, they were
pretty feet
Chow shall 1 chastise you if you are
naughty?" asked Omphale.
Hercules lifted one of the little feet ever
so gently, and, taking off the sandal. handed
it to the queen. He kissed the pretty white
foot before he put it down; and Omphale, to
punish him beat him with her sandal-tender
little taps that fly would have borne pa
tiently. The slave liked it.
"What is your name?' asked Omphale.
Hercules" replied the slave.
He certainly cleared the place of robbers eff.
fectlvely, so that there was scarcely trades.
man, priest, managing director, or bur-
glar to be found in thewhole OF Lydia. Om-
phale was very grateful for these services, and
made Linn her companion and Platonc friend.
He was clever at many things, and especially
at charades; SO was Omphale. But like
most clever people who think they can act
Ialsn tod 60 ko1- H.
unsuitable parts.
On one occasion Omphale dressed up in
Hercules lion-skin, &c, and he managed to
bind himself up in her robes. OF course,
they were flattered greatly, every one declar-
ing that the difference could not be detected
which certainly must have been very great
falsehood, when you come to think OF it.
However, they did not see through the fiat.
terry. and it was their great delight to assume
each others character.
Now, one day there was picnic and, after
dinner Omphale, as usual, put on the lions
skin, and Hercules took the Queens head
Dress and once more every one laughed and
complimented them. Then the company
broke up aud wandered about the woods il
pairs. Omphale and Hercules were together.
They had very pleasant walk, and did moi
think of returning to their company until the
evening was far advanced Then they could
not find their way, and wandered up all man.
ner of turnings without seeing soul, or even
body. Poor Omphale began to cry with
apprehension and alarm, and it took all the
tenderness Hercules could command to con-
sole her. She grew weary, and he carried
her; she grew sleepy aud chill, he not getting
word from her for some time, and, growing
tired of the monotony of walking out of one
pitfall into another, looked about for rest.
ing place. There was cavern at hand,
where lived goatman named Pan, and into
this cavern Hercules carried Omphae. There
was moss there, and this Hercules divided,
making bed on one side tor the queen and
another in the opposite corner for himself,
This he did with his foot, still carrying ON.
phale, who slept as quietly as an infant
Then he laid her gently down, and softly
disengaged her arms that were twined about
his neck.
Don't" Omphale murmured tenderly,
half awake.
''Don't leave you?' questioned Hercules.
Omphale opened her sweet eyes, was silent
for a moment while collecting her thoughts
and the said,
''Don't-don't take the lions skin away"
Hercules could not help kissing her as he
said good night. Then he took his place liz
the other corner and fell asleep, not needing
the chill night air, though his robes were
Omphale's and thin.
The moon shone full into the cave, and
very late came Pan back to his cave. The
first thing he saw was one asleep on his
moss.
''Who have we here?" bleated he, in a
thin voice.
he caught sight of the lions skin and club,
and knowing them to belong to Hercules be
retreated quickly to the opposite side. There
was another asleep; but this one had the
soft tunic and toga of the Queen.
"Ha! ha?" said Pan, and he bent down
over the sleeper.
Hercules was awoke by his sense of smell
what smell OF goatsr' said he.
Opening his eyes he saw h'deous face
bending down to kiss him. He planted hi.
foot in the stomach of Pan and shot him oul
through the opening Of the cave-far, fal
away-and he was found in the middle oil
the next week. Er pede Herculena.
But the noise frightened Omphale, and her
terror and dread were not to be appsased by
words from distance.
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