St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-02-03
A Group Of Short Stories for
the Information Of
Youth.
The Neurological Story Of
Hercules and Cacus in
as New Words.
A Little Astronomy and a
Touch Of Geology Are
Thrown In.
Bits Of Natural History and
Things Children Should
Know.
Philadelphia Times.

Philadelphia Times.
Cacus, the robber king, had come into
Italy, land in the rocky fastness of Vesu-
vius had built himself stronghold
such as no man had ever seen before.
Amid the rocks on the mountain side he
quarried vast cave. shut in on all
sides by massive walls and closed round
about with great iron gates. Here he
reveled and Toasted and kept captives
and cattle and much stolen gold. And
if by chance wonderer, lost at night
upon the mountains, reached the portals
of the stronghold, he would flee in ter
Tor from the spot: for, before the en-
trance, on the smooth black walls, were
long rows of bloody heads-the Spoils of
the robber.
From within the dread rocks there
could be heard at times SONGS and
groans and wine choruses, and the din
of arms, and perhaps the deep voice of
Caeus himself, roaring like famished
lion in a mighty rage. But no hymn to
Zeus was ever heard, nor did the light
curling smoke of any gentle sacrifice
ever ascend from that place of terror.
As year followed year in times swift
course from every altar there arose the
same sad cry, so Zeus! Help from
Cacus!" But still there came no help,
and Cacus kept spreading terror from
his mountain home. defying the gods
themselves in the madness of his soul.
The spring had come, and the feasts
of Dionysius. The maidens and the
youths were treading the wine-press
and mingling in the joyous dance. And
as they danced and sang around the
market place Of the little town, there
came into their midst a stranger, who
cattle. His stature was more than
human, of size they had never seen.
Over his shoulder fell lions skin, and
in his hand, instead OF the shepherds
crook, was mighty club of knotted
oak. His beard, dark as night, covered
his deep chest. But even the timid
maidens, although they did not know
him. greeted him kindly and babe him
to the festival, for the look from his
eyes was mild and reasSuring yet full of
9 power. and heroism was written upon
his countenance. And well. too, might
: they trust him. tor it was Hercules him
self that was their guest that day.
: The cattle were paStured in the fields
and night overhung the valley, when
Cacus, led on by the Furies, came forth
: from his stronghold and espied the cat
tie grazing and their keeper absent.
Selecting four of the best, he drove them
before him to his dwelling. His end
was near. The rash man had stolen the
cattle of the god.
Tho Iirb cboyod Haro,,jae
his loss. Up he sprang in 1age and
gathered his flocks together, driving
them here and there. throughout the
, valley. The believing herd went on
wildly. terrified by the awful anger of
their master. AT length, upon the high
mountain side. they came upon the cave
of Cacus, and a solitary echo was borne
back plaintively to the lowing OF the
cattle. The hero recognized his lost
oxen in the distant answer. and Cacus,
in deadly fear, locked gate and passage
and sought the lowest depths of his
caveInS.
Three times did Hercules rush round
the stronghold, three times was he re-
pulsed by the towering walls. At last
he came to the iron gate leading to the
cave. 1t was barred and of mighty
strengthen the Cyclops themselves
DulIO Out NiIdU CdIVo 1IV1CutCo
for obstacles now-llke wild bull he
rushed straight on, singing his club
against the portals. The echoes re-
sounded through the mountain, and
Cacus, in the inner cave, grew pale with
terror as he heard the blow. The gate,
struck as if by the thunderbolt Of Jove,
shivering the club in the hand of the
hero. burst open from its hinges and
showed the dark cavern beyond filed
with smoke and fire.
With a roar that terrified pale ghosts
under the earth, Hercules leaped
straight into the darkness, through the
smoke, the fire and the hidden dangers.
There was no escape for Cacus now.
He caught the robber hand to hand, and
he tore from him his armor as he held
him fast with iron grip. The sword
used so long in evil doing was broken
broken as a reed. and Hercules, catch
ing up his foe in a mighty effort, swung
him full around his head and beat out
his brains against the cavern sides.
And he threw the body upon the rocks
above to be food of the dogs and the
ravens.
And for this deliverance the people
give thanks to Hercules, the hero, the
avenger Of wrong, even to this day.