Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-12-31

moaning toWhru Otter. how can i, VINO
am but a man, tell of such things, lordi
j only know that the statue was fashioned
in the far past, when we, who now are
but a remnant, were n great people, and,
rs for the snake, he has always lived there
in his holy place. Our grandfathers'
grandfathers knew him, and since that
day he has not changed"
Interesting fact in natural history"
said Leonard. II wish I could get him
some alive to t:le geological gardens"
Then he asked another question, Tell
me, Olfan, what became of the red stones
yesterday, and of him who had offended
in Offering the stones to the god yonderg"
+'The most of them were cast into the
pit of waters, lord, there to be hidden for
ever. There were three hide sacks full"
''oh, hcavens"' groaned Leonard when
Juanna had translated this. otter, you
have something to answer FORT
''But the choicest" went ON Olfan,
E'werc put in a smaller bag and tied about
the neck of the man who had offended
There were not many, but among them
were the largest stones, that until ycstcr-
day shone in the eyes of the idol, stones
blue and red together; also there was that
stone, shaped like human heart, which
hitherto has been worn by the high priest
on the days of sacrifice, and with IL tho
gle gem, and that of the water dweller cut
from the great blue stone, and other small
CT ones chosen because of their beauty and
also because they have been known for
long in the land, for, although many of
these pebbles are found where the priests
dig for them, but few are large and per
feet, and the art of shaping them is lost
'And what became of the MANI Leon
ard asked, speaking as quietly as he could,
for his excitement was great.
Nay, do not know" answered Olfan.
I" 1 only know that he was let down with
ropes into the home of the snake, and that
he gained that holy place, for it was told
to me that he dragged much rope after
him, perhaps as he fled before the snake
Now, it was promised TO the man that
when he had laid the bag of stones in the
place of the snake, for the snake to guard
forever, his sins should be purged, and
should il please the water dwcller to spare
him he should be drawn up again by the
ropes. Thus Nam sworc TO him, but he
did not keep his oath, for when the man
had entered the cave he babe those who
held the ropes to cast them loose, and
know not what happened to him, but
doubtless he is food for the snake. None
who look upon that holy place may live TO
see the sun again"
Il only hope that the brute did not
said Leonard to Juanna. Not that there
Is much chance of our getting them any
way"
Then Olfan went, nor did he return till
the afternoon, when he announced that
Nam and his two principal priests waited
without to speak with them. Juanna or.
dered that they should be admitted, and
presently they came in. Their air was
humble, and their heads were bowed, but
I ri ft,rx ~,
Der eyes and was not deceived by this
mask of humility.
I'VE come . We gods, - said Nam, adj
dressing Juanna and Otter, who sat side
by side on The thronclikc chairs, we come
to ask your will, for yc have laid down
new law hich we do not understand! On
the third day from nowis the feast of Jal,
and so women are made ready to be of
fered to .Jal that his wrath may be ap-
peased with their blood. and that he may
number their spirits among his servants
and withhold his anger from the People of
the Mist, giving them n good season. This
has been the custom of the land for many
a generation, and whenever that custom
has been broken then the sun has not
shone, nor the corn grown, nor have the
cattle and the goats multiplied after their
kind, but now, o We gods, yc have pro-
claimed "A new law, and I, who am yet
your servant, come hither to ask your will,
How shall the feast go, and what sacrifice
shall be offered unto your
The feast shall go thus. " answered Ju-
anna. ''Tc shall offer us a sacrifice indeed.
To each Of us We shall offer an OK and n
goat, and the OK and the goat shall be
given TO the snake to feed him, but not
the flesh of men. Moreover, the feast shall
be held ut noon. and not in the night.
time
An OK and "A goat-to each an OK and
a goat:" said Nam humbly, but in a voice
of bittercst sarcasm. AS We will 80 let
1t be, o yc gentle hearted gods, and the
festival shall be held ut noon, and not in
the night season, as of old. As We will, o
We kind gods. Your word is my law. o
AGA and o jail and bowling to- the
ground the aged man withdrew himself.
followed by his satellites.
That dcyilish priest makes my flesh
creep" said Juanna when she had trans
lated the words.
''Oh, baas, haas, echoed Otter. why
did you not shoot him while you might?
Now he will surely live To throw us to the
snake"
As he spoke Soa advanced from behind
the thrones. where she had taken refuge
when Nam entered
1T is not well for IA dog who gives him
self out as n god to threaten the life of
one whom he has trickcd, she said mean
ingly. 'Perchancc the hour shall come
when the true god will avengc himself on
the false, and by the hand of his faithful
servant, whom you would do to death, you
base born dwarf" And before any one
could answer she left the chamber, casting
malcyolent look at Otter as she went
THAT servant of yours makes my flesh
creep, Juanna, - said Leonard. ''Onc thing
Is clear enough-we must not allow her 10
overhear any more of our plans. She
knows great deal too much already"
Il cannot understand what has come to
Soa,' said Juanna. She seems so
changed
You made that remark before, Juan
ma. For my part, don't think she is
changed. The sight of her amiable par
emit has developed her hidden virtues
TINT is all