Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1893-05-18

That night the inhabitants OF Atz-
Ian in a great. meeting elected Gilbert
their governor. The voting was by ac-
clamation, and the whole proceeding
did not take fifteen minutes. He was
summoned and made speech to them,
unfolding his ideas in the simplest man
ner so that they comprehended his
scheme readily. They were quick to see
the advantages of the plan, although
shey had no monopolistic corporations
as examples to teach them the power of
combination. But he laid great stress
upon the difficult nature of the task, and
again and again laid before them the ne
cessity Of constant toll, ceaseless vigi-
lance and tireless patience.
.sMost of all, above all, work, work,
work, }" he cried. "It is the soul, the life
of the world; the aim and end of living
aye, It's life itself"
The next day the wagon train came
into the city, and the Atzlans crowded
about the canvas covered wagons, filed
with mingled curiosity and fear. The
horses terrified them by their every ac-
ton; the wagons amazed them; their
eyes were tired before the day passed
with staring at the marvels that were
displayed on every hand. Many of them
made most advantageous bargains, ex-
changing gold and silver ornaments,
mere baubels, for the rare things the
strangers brought. Their greatest de-
sire was for the axes, hatchets and hunt
ing and pocketknives. But some queer
trades were made. One aged chief had
obtained a pair of eyeglasses and was
beside himself with delight at the res
toration of his vision, while another rev.
eled in the possession of a compass and
spent his time showing the unerring
needle to his astonished friends.
Eric had cautioned them not to be too
liberal in their dealings with the white
men, aud also tried to prevent their be-
ing swindled, and endeayored to prevent
too palpable swindling on his mems part,
but it was asnearly impossible. The temp
tation was too great on both sides to be
restrained, andit was curious to see the
complacent sense of satisfaction and the
realization of clever business tact beam
ing in the faces of those of the Atzlans
who had made good bargains from an
Atzlan point of view. They knew they
had outwitted the newcomers and got
ten something for nothing, and they
were nightly pleased with themselves.
In the evening Kulcan came to Eric
and said:
stBrother, tomorrow 1 shall hand over
to you the Office and its powers
& s'But," interrupted Eric, "before you
do SO you must perform a ceremony
one upon which | have set my heart.
You mustwed us, Leila and me, as the
last act Of your tenure of Office"
ut shall be sor' cried K1lcan with de-
light. 81 am glad it falls to me! In
deed it repays me for the loss Of the
great dignity of being governor, which
loss, believe me, does not sadden me at
all. In truth, confess to feeling of
relief at the thought that Ill becomes my
fathers son, but still feel it."
On the morrow, when all the people
had assembled to witness the abdication
of the governor and the ceremony of in
stalling his successor, Kulcan, departing
from ancient usage, proud of being the
first to break the bond of traditional
custom, stood before them speaking elo-
quently for awhile, and then there
stepped forth the bride and bridegroom
in their dignity and beauty.
Before the citizens had recovered from
their wonder they heard Kulcan pro-
nouncing the simple marriage ceremony,
and as one man they joined in the sono-
rous, joyful nuptial song of Atzlan. So
harmonious is the melody, so touching
is the simplicity of the words that Eric
himself was affected, and tears blurred
his eyes as he noted the real joy and sin
cere affection the people displayed. Un-
til now he had scarcely known how much
room they occupied in his heart, and he
determined to give the whole energy of
his life to them and their needs.
After this came his investment in the
governors robes, the presentation of the
ancient seal and staff of Office, and a
prayer by Iklapel to the great God of
all-the Master of all known gods, the
Ruler of earth and sky-which was lis
tened to in silence and awe. Then there
ensued festival of festivals. The day
was given to joy and merrymaking, and
the Katun cakes, the currant wine and
the baked meats were brought forth
Far into the night they held revelry,
and Pierce, as he noted the jovial songs
and hilarious but familiar whoops of
mirth, was led to remark:
colbert, was about to say this
morning that, in the contact of these
people with tine whites, the usual remedy
of savage races-rum-would 5e their
worst foe. now realize that they have
already met the enemy and heis theirs.
eyes" replied Gilbert, sit will be diff
ferent here. In the case of the Indian
he was. introduced to strange and un-
known beverage that drowned his sor-
rows and made him forget his woes;
but here, for ages, they have distilled
liquors and drank them, and they can
make good liquor too. They have never
known an excise law nor an internal
revenue bureau, anu, Aiho Oh i 0e1AiAetH
blessings, because it is free to all, none
care much for it. In all my stay here
/ have not seen drunken men except
upon the day of the attack on my
house, and they drank then only to fire
themselves to desperation. While the
T, introduction of better liquors might be-
get higher taste, l don't fear that they
will be harmed by rum"
eff your plans Go not miscarry they
will soon be drinking champagne like
other bloated capitalists" added Pierce
as he lighted his pipe. "And as we have
some in our commissary wagon, suppose
we drink health to the new departure. !"
Now began stirring times. Besides the
usual spring sowing the people were
busy all the time discussing the new
features Of their social and political life
4 L.,