The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-29
SUMTER. S. c., WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 80 1884,

Then man s voice spoke, saying:
''Are ye there, ye chosen Of heaven?'
And woman's voice. thought it was
that of Otomie-answered:
1--WE are here.
so maidens of Anahuac, !" said the man,
speaking from the darkness, land you, 0
Tezcat, god among the gods, listen to my
words Maidcns, a great honor has been
done to you, for by the very choice Of
heaven you have been endowed with the
names, the loveliness and the virtues Of
the four great goddesses and chosen to
abide awhile at the side Of this god, your
maker and your master, who has been
pleased to visit us for space before he
seeks his home in the habitations Of the
sun. See that you show yourselves wor-
thy of this honor Comfort him and cher
ish him, that he may forget his glory in
your kindness, and when he returns to his
own place may take with him grateful
memories and good report Of your PED
pie. You have but little while to live
at his side in this life, for already, like
those Of Gagged bird, the wings Of his
spirit beat against the bars of the flesh,
and soon he will shake himself free from
Us and you. Yet if you will it is allowed
to one Of you to accompany him to his
home, sharing his fight to the houses Of
the sun. But to all Of you, whether you
go also or whether you stay to mourn him
during your life days, say love and cher
ish him, be tender and gentle toward him,
for otherwise ruin shall overtake you here
and hereafter, and you and all of us will
be i'll spoken Of in heaven. And you o
Tezcat, we pray Of you to accept these
maidens, who bear the names and wear
the charms of your celestial consorts,
for there are none more beautiful OF better
born in the realms Of Anahuac and among
them is numbered the daughter Of our
king They are not perfect indeed, for
perfection is known to you in the heaven
" kingdoms only, since these ladies are
but shadows and symbols Of the divine
goddesses, your true wives, and here there
are no perfect women. Alas, we have none
better to offer you, and it is our hope that
when it pleases you to pass hence you will
think kindly Of the women Of this land
and from on high bless them with your
blessing, because your memory OF these
who were called your wives on earth is
pleasant. :"
The voice paused, then spoke again:
Women, In your own divine names Of
Xochi, Xilo, Alta and Cli1to, and in the
name of all the gods, wed you to Tezcat,
the creator, to sojourn with him during
his stay on earth. The god incarnate takes
you in marriage whom he himself created,
that the symbol may be perfect and the
mystery fulfilled. Yet, lest your joy should
be too full, look now on that which shall
be-.
As the voice spoke these words many
torches sprang into flame at the far end
Of the great chamber, revealing a dreadful
sight, for there, stretched upon 8, stone OF
sacrifice, was the body Of a man, but wheth-
er the man lived or was modelled In wax
I do not know to this hour, though un-
less he was painted I think that he must
have been fashioned in wax, since his skin
shone white like mine. At the least, his
limbs and head were held by five priests,
and sixth stood over him clasping q
knife of obsidian in his two hands. 1t
flashed on high, and as it cleaned the
torches were extinguished. Then came
the dull echo of blow and a sound OF
groans and all was still till once more the
brides broke out into their marriage song
"a strange chant, and wild and sweet
though after what had seen and heard it
had little power to move me.
They sang on in the darkness ever moro
loudly till presently single torch was lit
at the end of the chamber, then another
and another, though could not sec who
lit them, and the room was flare OF light.
Now the altar, the victim and the priests
were all gone There was no one left in
the place except myself and my four
brides. They were tall and lovely wom-
en-, all of them clad in white bridal robes
starred over with gems and flowers and
wearing on their brows the emblems OF
the four goddesses, but Otomic was tie
stateliest and most beautiful OF the four
and seemed in truth goddess One by
one they drew near to me, smiling and
sighing, and knceling before me kissed
my hand, saying:
II have been chosen to be your wife for
a space, Tezcat, happy maid that l am
May the gods grant that 1 become pleasing
to your sight, so that you may love me as
worship you.
Then she who had spoken would draw
back again out of carshot, and the next
would take her place.
Last of all came Otomie. She knelt and
said the words, then added in low voice:
Having spoken to you as the bride and
goddess to the husband and the god Tcz-
cat, now, 0 Teulc, speak as the woman
to the man You do not love me, Teule;
therefore, if it is your will, let US be di-
vorced Of our own act who were wed by
the command Of others, for SO shall be
spared some shame. These arc friends to
me and will not betray u.s. And she nod:
ded toward her companion brides.
''As you will, Otomie, - I answered
briefly.
II thank you for your kindness, Tcule, %
she said, smiling sadly, and withdrew,
making obeisancc, looking so stately and
SO sweet as she went that again my heart
was shaken as though with love. Now,
from that night till the dreadful hour Of
sacrifice no kiss or tender word passed be-
tween me and the princess Of the Otomie.
And yet our friendship and affection grew
daily, for we talAed much together, and l
sought to turn her heart to the true king