Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-17
THE MODERN JASON
Tn Search of the Golden Fleece-He
Finds 1t and Makes Several
Points on it, But Cannot
CAPTURE lit Captures Him and Holds
Him in Hope and Fear, Especially
Fear, for Six Months.

Jason MuI-kay- hi-hos, of Colchis, Ala,
was a young man OF poor, but Respectable
parents. His father, AeolUs Mul-kay -hl-hos,
had died seyeraI years before our hero was
inspired 10 that great act which mas 1noisso-
Iutel7 linked his name with the annals OF
history. At the time OF which we speak ne
was the sole support OF an aged mother and
beautiful sister. The fortunes OF the lam
iIv were at the low-water mark. Indeed, Tor
several yesrs Jason had been compelled by
the grinding despotism OF circumstances to
deny himself to every circus that came with
in the neighborhood. Think how 1t LAGER
ated the tenderest chords OF mis- diaphragm,
and caused the blush OF shame to mamie MS
olive epidermis TO zee his sister, VlrgIllne,
,lowIv mining away for want of new calico
dressi the writer could give many more de-
tails that would harrow the soul oil the
reader. but as it would not increase his salary
of 81 per week he refrains.
Now Jason Mul-kay-hi- hos was youth OF
spirit. and his Imagination had been hred py
reading the wonderful stories OF Ponce de
Leon and Ferdinand de Soto. For ulne
he thought of starting out 10 nno tne eii III
of life. but when he read the story Oh ine
Golden Fleece he clspped his hand on his
knee and said. with his best Greek pro
nupciation: "Be Pharaho's host, that's Jist
what Pll be afLher now"
He accordingly babe an affectionate fare
we'll 60 his mother and sister and started out
N retrieve the fortunes of his family. Inc
fame of his undertaking had spread lar ano
near. and when he reached the Mississlppl
he v.s ;oined by great number of wild,
adyenturous spiriGs most prominent among
wbom were Hercules de Courcey, Castor
Rrown Pollux Smith and Epamlnonda s
Thounson. Boress Jenkins and Cailias
OiRrien were engaged as pilots, and the
marty set out on series of adventures.
The Red Herring had been engaged ior
| the trip. We will not narrate the Twelve
| labors of Hercules de Courcey, as ne USED 10
remark with his fine Spanish Infection
.sDav s;n,t nobody. semmen, dat hss had
mo- snerience on de ribber dan dis hean
MICAH. but don't want no blow about 1t.
! W. might tell of the noble devotion OF
Castor and Pollux, but then, as Castor wouId
remark in his best Roman way, we don't
want ito play you for sucker. -,
Up and down the river they sailed Ioi
several years, until Jason had worn all 'ne
seat out OF his pants. Even foilu1, VINO na az
heen the life of the party, said he would Dc
corie Uancked if he would stand the racket
much Longer. Despair had settled dowr
upop the party. Finally, few weeks ago
when the stars had just come out 10 listen tt
The music of the waves, and the boys az
lust finished their frugal meal OF buffalo
cat and sweitzer cheese, they espled IN I'M
distance a number of lights cleaning owe
the water, betokeniDg that Hopeheid wa
| still there. -,
aMetbinks 1 see Hope6eld athwart thu
larboard bow" said Callias OBrien, with hi
best Buffalo Bill air of romance.
"You bet your boots" said Boreas jenkins
The other pilot. =,
here for the night, and IN the morning '"
will thry the future business agin.
There was not much enthusiasm IN HI
voice. The boys noticed sadly how renorse
lessly the moonlight exaggerated the VENT a
ton of his pants as be disappeared In In
coal hole. All that night they rested upoi
the bro Id bosom of the Mississippi. Earl,
in the morning the men arose, and Hopehelt
lay before them. They tossed nickels rs Il
whether they should visit Hopefeld or Mem
phis first. Toe coin decided in favor OF tn
latter place. They entered the city, accord
ingly. and sacrificed at the bucket shops ant
few saloons. About o'clock in the after
noon, as jason Mul-kay -hi-hos was strollin:
about Happy Hollow, he met Medel'
Murphy She was q winsome maid o
Italian origin, as her name indicates
She and Jason fell in love with eact
other at once, and he told her the 90
iect of his search. She was jubilant, anc
iold him that fortune had sent them to eact
other. She knew where to find the Colder
Fleece. She pulled from her pocket q
lealet on which was printed: JOIN the
Orange Blossom Gid" 1.-TWO thousand
dollars for a song," etc. In order to
enable Jason to fnd the Golden Fleece
Medeia gave him $23 to join. With this
magic potion he approached the Colder
| Fleece 1t was the realization OF his dream.
The Fleece was all that his fancy hac
painted. He paid bis money, and took ou
certificate that would cover his marriage
in six months. He then sought the other
boys and gave them pointer. Most o.
Them were surprised at~the appearance Of
the Golden Fleece but the inducements were
so gIitteriDg they did not doubt that they
had struck il. They were disappointed al
not being able TO take the Fleece then and
there: out were told to pay all their assess-
| ments and then come back in six months
Jason took fearful farewell of Medeia and
| be and his gang departed highly elated; and
| all that night Orpheus Jones played on the
iewsharp, awakening the echoes upon the
| tnoonlit river. And when they had all de.
| parted, 10 and behold the Golden Fleece and
those about it all grinned grizzly grin, and
some of them did lie down and kick up their
heels and laughed round the Golden Fleece,
rsmarking in semi. Greek chorus:
"They thought they would take IN the
| Golden Fleece, but verify the Golden Fleece
hath taken them all in"
| So ends the legend. 1t is not necessary to
| follow Jason or the Golden Fleece to the
! end of the six nonths. 1t would be useless
| There's nothing in it.