, 1890-08-28
A JEWISH LEGEND.
WHO could be happier than Solo
w x.,u.,o Iyia IanI xvaa pt npaCe

MILO could be happier tliah po''
w mon? His land was at peace
his treasury full; his power eracknowl-
edged by the nations; his fieet COW
cred the seas; his court attracted the
best and wisest. Learning ana
science, art and industries, hour
ished. Jerusalem, the capital, shohe
with unexnmpled splendor; ils tehi-
pie and edillces were the glory OF
the age, and thousands of strangers
drew near from all corners OF the
earth.
Yet Solomon was i'll at ease, de-
spite his grandeur. His WISDOM
the source Of his strength, was also
the secret of his weakness. He knew
all languages, spoke 3,COO proverbs
and sang q multitude of songs. he
knew the speech of birds and beasts,
and the mystery of trees and How
ers. If his knowledge had not
passed these limits all would have
been well, but 1t transcribed things
OF earth aud penetrated tho secrets
of the spheres above. IL was MS
familiarity with the stars that gave
him poignant unrest. What, them
did the stars tell him? What dread
ful catas trophe was threatening bis
house? Those golden-eyed forget
me-nots shining In the armament
of blue 80 peacefully and trustiuiiy,
apitl1 fhay nraapUp wDpp
Solomon was blessed not only
with power and wisdom, but also
with u daughter of surprising love
illness. When the evening shadows
fell upon Zion's hills he loved to
sing to her his choicest song. In
the morning hours his converse
with her was his whole recreation.
His soul was knitted tn hers. She
was his inspiration and solace, as
was her mother in the days Of his
youth. when, to wed the maiden of
his heart, he left throne and people,
and wandered, a foot-sore pilgrim,
until he met Mama and pllghted
his troth. The years had passed
rapidly since then-as rapidly as
the shadow of IA bird in flight; hut
Solomon lived again in his old.tlme
romance as he saw Naama's eyes in
his daughters counteuance. And
the princess repaid the fathers love
by daughters devotion.
One evening as Solomon was OBJ
serving the stars the thought oc-
Cured to him to discover who was
destined to be the princess hus-
band. Long and intently he gazed
at the consultations. Silent and
profound were his meditations in
the watches of the night; and then,
just ms the first dim light spanned
the far east, and the morning stars
were singing their cradle song for
the new day, the monarch's heart
felt an unaccustomed pang. He
read the secret of his daughters fate.
There 1t stood blazoned on the fiery
constellation-she was to wed the
poorest man In Israel!-she, prin-
cess, and his daughter!
With agonized soul Solomon left
his watchtower. For once the ris-
ing day possessed no charm for him.
Bird-no ote, flower-iragranco, the
music of rippling waters, the magni.
flcence of his surroundings, his
books and songs and favorite
pastimes, palled upon him. His
lovely daughter in vain strove to
soothe his disturbed spirit Each
fresh endearment only increased hi.
irritation. Her voice, once so gen
tie, seemed to him as harsh as the
screams of candor. The maiden:
heart was troubled indeed as she
noticed the change In the king, and
she withdrew, weeping, from hi,
presence.
alt shall not bep Solomon ex
claimed. "My daughter wed beg
gar! a pauper's child TO sit upor
the throne of David! Nay, / shall
defeat the Almighty. / shall
Aud there fell IL deep silence on
his spirit. A picture from the pas
arose before his vision. 1t was
king hurled from his throne on nc
count of his pride, and doomed L
wander unknown and to suffer Sc
we're privations until he had learned
to control himself and trust the Al
mighty. He saw the ring which h,
gave Ashmodai, and heard the ficrc,
yell of triumph as the demon as
cended the throne, while he, Solo
mon the great, sank down, dowI
into an unfathonable abyss. Ther
another picture arose In memory
the weary fugitive spurned Oh al
sides, famine stricken and sick "A
heart, until the lesson of peace WA
learned.
Forgive me, forgive me. AL
mightyW he cried. "AIust / learr
again the cost ofmortal pride? For
give me for doubling thy purpose
and measuring my puny power
with the infinite! Let thy will b.
done. | shall watch thy wisdom
and abide 10y the result. My hear
has lost It's anguish and its fear"
Upon the rocky seacoust Solomon
had lofty tower const tructed
Walls high and inaccessible sur
rounded it on all sides. People won
dered at the building, but Solomon
continued the work until IL wa
completed. Thither one night n
had the princess brought, and place,
her In charge of seventy aged custo
dinns.
"This shall be your home,n sal,
he to the eldest and trustiest. at j
provisioned for years to come. Their
Is no door to the fortress, So no on
can enter without the sentinel
knowledge. Be vlgilant. You
head shall he the price of you