St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-19
BRANDED ON BOTH CHEEKS.
The Weird Black Mute Met in a Geor-
gia Cemetery.
An Ethiopian Soldier Who once
Guarded the Tomb of Kings.

The professor and I were taking stroll
through Oakland cemetery, says WFiter III
the Atlanta Constitution. We were turn-
ing to leave the place when my friend sad;
ssTbere is somebody behind that monu-
ment watching us. Let lis walk arouiio 1t
and see who it is.
| caught a glimpse of dark form dodg-
inc behind the marble shaft. AS soon as
her had a good view of us he walked III our
direction. We saw before us black man
of uncertain age, anywhere possibly oe-
tween so and -. He was straight as an
arrow. and he had military walk. NOT a
raw of expression gave life to his BLACK race
His eyes were fixed and unfathomable. His
hair arranged in little twists. bound with
cotton Irvine. stood out from under an odd
little cloth hat. looking more like spikes
than anything else.
Great heavens.' exclaimed the pro-
feSsOr.
looked still more intently at the curious
fiCure. AS the negro came nearer L saw
that he wore broad rings of gold i'll his ears.
His cheeks seemed to be strangely Scared.
Int a closer look showed that they had
heen branded The brand could have been
no occidental burn, for it was clearly de-
fined crescent. The mans dress was out
landish. not so much in its cut as III It's ma
terial. | was very certain that had never
seen cloth of that texture before. L looked
inQuiringly at nv companion.
'.It is the same" muttered the professor.
..Whal do Won think OF hlm?" asked.
Hush" said my friend.
The gigantic black advanced, never once
taking his ewes off my friend. Approach
ing within touching distance he drew
from under his vOluminOus coat, which was
belted around him, small silver tube,
from which he took small scrap of yellow
naDer. This he handed to the professor,
who held it before me.
This is not writing" said. ''These
characters are hieroglyphicS. L can make
nothing out of them"
The professor gently shook his head and
handed the paper, which, by the way. had
found was parchment. back to the man.
Il cannot read it, " he said. "Can you
write?"
The negro appeared to understand. He
made negative sign.
docs this concern me?" asked the pro-
fesSor. The negro nodded his head.
WHO can read it,"
Again there was negative shake of the
head Then this strange mute reached for
ward took the professors hand in his and
gave it a cordial grip Without another
sign he turned and walked rapidly away,
at once disappearing from view in the
ShTubbeTy.
We'll, of all the muteS L ever saw he Is
the uueerest.' - l remarked.
My friends face was very pale and he
seemed unusually agitated.
You do not know ALL" he said; THAI
man is linked with my fate"
Linked with your fate-in what way?''
81 will tell you. Before the ware l ira
veled abroad. L went everywhere. L visited
Egypt and rambled about among the pyra-
mids. 1t was in the great pyramid that
first met this black mute"
''Impossiber' | exclaimed.
but it is true,' resumed my friend. 81
had strayed off from the other tourists and
approached the kings chamber, the place
where some of the old Egyptian kings were
buried thousands of years ago. A black
soldier in uniform guarded the entrance.
He saluted me and allowed me to pass.
Then he followed me and when 1 reached
the sarcophagus of old CheopS he rendered
the handle of his sword to me with
the point against his bare breast
knew this meant that ne placed himself at
nv disposal, but ! refused to take the
sword He pulled silver tube from his
pocket, and drawing from it a small roll OF
parchment gave it to me. l could not read.
but knew the writing to be in some old
Oriental language | found that the man
was mute. and | noted the brand of the
crescent on each cheek. There was some
thing so mysterious in his conduct that
hurried away"
Are you positive that he was the man
who has just left u.s."
Yes, | know it. l cannot be mistaken.
But l have not told you all. Ten years
ago l visited the national cemetery al
Gettysburg l was wandering around
among the graves when L suddenly came
face to face with the black mute"
What the Same?"
Eyes. the very same. He again pre-
scented me with the parchment and | re-
turned it to him. but l made fac smile OF
the writing in my notebook. Well, fOl
wears | have tried to have that writing
translated. but without success. Orienta
scholars assure me that it is written in ont
of the dead languages Of the East, and tina
is ali the satisfaction | can get. Now, yOI
will understand how it unnerved me, afte
all these years, to have that vOiceleS
stranger stand before me with the mySteri
Gus parchment. Can you wonder that
believe him to be in some way bound VI
with my fate?"
lit is very remarkable" L said, afte
thinking awhile.
This is the third time" said the profes
sor. land | have failed to read it. l have
vague dread of ! know not what"
start the police after him." [ suggested
''run him down; get at the bottom of it,"
Il am afraid to-" was the answer. 9
do not dare to lay hand on him or to in
terfere with his liberty. No; | must wal
and see if time will solve the riddle"