Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-06-25

Now listen how we shall avenge our
selves on the base marauders and dis
turbcrs of the queens peace"
long conversation ensued, and
Ulysses finished by saying that he
| would appear at the banquet that day
! disguised as the beggar, and he COM
manded Telemachus to pay no more at
| tention to him than he would to any
stranger seeking help. Then Telema-
chus went to the palace, and when he
nal seen the queen. he went to his
roor1s and remained there. So no one
knew he had returned.
Then suddenly a loud shout was
heard. 1t was only the princes. greet
ing what the herald had just pro-
claimed:
Il. Penelope. Queen of Ithaca, to the
lords within my domain:
This day l will give myself in mar
rage. with my crown and lands as
dowry to him who shall prove himself
worthy in the feat of strength that I
shall decide on"
That was ALL But it filled the mobiles
with Rejoicing. and when the time for
the banquet drew near all were gathered
In the great hall. Their Joy was to re-
celve check, however. When Pene-
lope entered. radiant in all her jewels
and her robes of finest spun materials,
murmur of admiration ran through
the assembly. But the next moment it
was changed to one Of chagrin, as they
saw Telemachus walking behind his
mother. They had hoped that he was
dead, since 1t was so long since he had
been heard of In the kingdom.
When all were seated, Ulysses en-
tered. his tattered robe barely cover
Ing his worn figure. AS he crossed the
threshold, his dog, now grown feeble
with age, lifted it's head and
giving yelp of joy tried to
drag his old form to his be-
loved masters feet And then
he fell dead his wOrn-out heart hay
ing first been rewarded for his long
watching and waiting. No one noticed
the incident save the beggar, who. seat
ing himself by the hearth, drew his
hand before his moistened eyes.
IN those days the poor were treated
clherently from what they seem to be
now. Ulysses was received into the
banGnet-room OF the queen. and served
with portion from her table.
Nnen the guests had been served.
they grew even mcrrier than before,
and 1t was not long before Ulysses be-
came the butt for their coarse Jokes. |
oAc even went SO far as to raise a |
steel and strike Ulysses with it, and |
felemachus could scarcely control his |
anger and Indignation at seeing his
father so treated within his own hall.
But a look from Ulysses quieted him
anu things went on as before.
Then, at last, they called for the
.eat OF strength. Penelope smiled, and
commanded first that all weapons
should be removed from the room.
since in the excitement they might be
put to wrong use. When this was
tone, twelve rings were arranged. sew
'ral feet apart, in a long row down
me hall. Then large bow and a
ln'ver OF arrows, which Ulysses had
won in one of his heroic deeds. were
brought out.
"Whosoever can string this bow and
shoot an arrow through the twelve
'ings, may have me for his BRIDE"
aid Penelope.
Telemachus first took the bow and
ried to bend it to fit the arrow to the
tring. But struggle as he would. he
ould not SO much as move it.
He is only STRIPPING" cried a burly
loble. Give it to me!'
And so they tried, one after another.
hey creased the string with tallow and
With oil. but no one could bend the
low. Whom all had tried. Ulysses
topped forward and begged permits
lon to try. How they jeered, and buff
eted him for his daring even to ask
o high favor. But Penelope cried
ut:
Let him try. Though he is so cid.
g says he was once soldier. Let him
ry"
Then they made way, and Ulysses.
aking the bow. bent it as easily as IL
had been a willow wand and sent the
rrow flying through the twelve rings.
here. at the end of its course it struck
ito the wall. and then remained fast.
And then Minerva took the disguise
'om Ulysses. and he stood revealed.
Behold me--Ulysses!" he cried iu
lunderous tones. Nov see how Il,
hall reward you all for daring to af-
ont your queen; for daring to make
" house place of reveEy!"
Then. with unerring aim. he shot an |
rrow at each intruder till all were ,
cad. There was no chance for de- ,
'nse, for all their weapons had been ,
lken away; there was no chance of
'cape, for all the doors had been Sc ,,
ired.
And SO persisted the men who had
,used hospitality aud failed to defend