Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1889-04-03

uuu lOOhoQ up lubO my AuSo Wiph "
strange gesture and queer blink,
which plainly asked, why this intrus-
ion?" / was now satisfied that the
meeting was not accidental on his
part, and that this old,fashioned gem
tleman had designs upon me, whether
malicious or otherwise knew not; but
determined to give him the benefit
OF the doubt and not censure him I'M
til had learned his motives. Think
ing 10 teach him my superiority, l
turned him upon his back and watched
with some satisfaction his efforts to re-
gain his feet. These being quite in
effectual, he thrust out his head, and
with knowing look upon his narrow
face asked:
"Why, sir, do you take pleasure in
torturing tortoise2 Simply because
you have the power to do SOP
Hearing this I repented, and, asking
his pardon, assisted him to his feet.
not thinking that I had unwittingly
insulted lord of an ancient realm. He
was much pleased because I was gener-
Gus and thus addressed me.
"Your kindness of heart has not all
been burned away by the love of gain. :"
I do not mean to say that the tor
toise addressed me in actual spoken
language, but in those subtle-I might
say occult-glances of the eye and
the serious manner that impress ideas
upon the elements that flow between
men and animals and form a language,
although unspoken.
Doubtless" continued the tortoise,
"you consider me one of the lowest
order Of animals, one not possessing
intelligence; but in this you are at
fault.
Perhaps you do not believe in the
transmigration of souls. By your man
ner see that you do not. In this you
expose your tendency to barbarism.
Your education has been neglected,
sir, and when regain my personality
I will establish missions in this heather
country and make an effort to lift the
people out of lethargic ignorance.
Hear my story. Centuries ago l
was prince Of the blood, heir to an
ancient throne, and not without re-
nown. In fact, my accomplishments
stood in the path of my preferment, my
knowledge was too broad and deep for
my age, and was slain. My soul was
driven, without my consent, into the
heart of lion, with the understanding
that in case I could, in all the earth,
find king with an unblemished char
acter, I should be restored.
"The time given me was one year,
and, as matter of course, I failed.
Accordingly, L was slain, and my
soul driven into an animal that shall
be nameless here, and was sent in
search of man who loved his neigh
Dor as himself. Failing in this, 1 was
driven into a lower order of animal
still, and sent in search of beautiful
woman who was not susceptible to fiat
terry.
dIt was while searching for fair
one who would not listen to the fiat
terry of any masculine serpent that the
following incident occurred: While
searching yonder, among the least vain
of all the women of earth, the daugh-
ter of the mountains, suddenly came
upon an angel. Capturing her, I bore
her to my tormentor, but he instantly
caused her to be immortal, and drove
me at once into this tortoise. And here
I am, searching for man who has
never harbored an impure thought, and
I am to search until 1 find one. Such
one found, I am at liberty to return
to my people in my own proper form. /"
I listened attentively until he had
finished speaking, then, stepping out
of the path, said
"Pass on, my friend you are doomed
to roam throughout the earth forever.
There are many who consider them
selves pure, but none are pure save
such as have passed through the fire of
publication, and these-dwell in Para
disc"
So saying, I bowed low to the Prince
and passed by, leaving the tortoise to
pursue mythical being forever.