Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-05-07

child OF God, and il thou vert thy
self deity, thou wouldst have no
need ofan old mans aid
II have a mind to slay thee in the
first place, and then to possess my
self Of thy mysterious faded flower
.Death, as | have told you al
ready, has for me no terror. / am
nov so aged-I have lived SO long
that | desire nothing more than
eternal repose. But in order TO r,n-
der my remedy efficacious, it is need
full that should apply it myself"
aThen state the number OF ingots
which thou requirest, and they shall
be paid down at onee.n
Riches are but vanity, and had
wished for gold, the sacred books
would have directed me where to OBJ.
tain it. In the retirement of my
cave wherein / have lived without
other nourishment than a few grains
of ginger or nemphar, and the pure
water of brook, | have always
been wealthier than thou, with thy
gold-swollen Golfers and imperial
treasures
Dost thon desire honora p,
Wherefore should / do so? They
are playthings which please youth ;
at my age they amuse no longer
"Listen then u said the Emperor.
II will build thee magnificent TEN
pie. One hundred columns OF bronze,
OVERLAND with gold, shall support the
| mighty roof. A thousand lanterns
of iron and stone work shall be IL
Illuminated perpetualIy. by day and
night. In the centre I will erect thy
statute. Bronzes shall chant thy
praises to the sound of gongs and
drums, and I will punish with death
every one who refuses to bow before
| thee.n
Again the stranger shook his
head.
stTemples are built to enshrine
statutes of the gods, ard no one
man has the right to compel another
human being to worship him.
"What win thou, then? Tell me
and I will obey"
As the Emperor uttered these
words, he bowed his head for the
first time in his life.
He continued "Dost thou covet
the half of my kingdom-my palace
my cavaliers in silver armor
| But the old man still shook his
head.
Suddenly the sick child gave
long sigh, his hands stiffened, his
head dropped his mouth opened,
but no sound came therefrom.
"He is dead y cried the Emperor,
and fiinging his sccptre at the old
mans feet, he exclaimed.
"Take that, if it is the supreme
power which you ask To me it is
good for nothing, seeing that I am
powerless to shield my own son
from pitiless Death /"
Falling upon his knees, he pressed
his lips upon the child's ice-cold
hands, while tears rained from his
eyes.
The soldiers, astounded at behold
ing their Emperor weep, knelt also.
The noise of the tom-toms ceased
suddenly. A great silence brooded
now over the vast, richly decorated
chamber, where the only person re-
NAMED standing was the aged,
white-bearded mendicant.
The sun shone into the room and
his cheerful rays glinted upon the
arms of the soldiers and the gold
embroideries.
Without, on the camellias and
bamboos of the imperial garden, the
birds were carolliDg gaily. Their
songs were for moment the only
sounds which broke the solemn 81
lence within.
Then the old man extended his
hand, and gently laid the chrysan-
themum first upon the lips, after
ward upon the heart, Of the little pa
tient. The remedy took immediate
effect. The still heart went to
work again, the lips regained
their color, the limbs relaxed and
the young prince raised his head.
Surprised at the sight of the kneel-
ing figures around him, he asked:
"Why do you weep, my father 7
Is it not the hour at which / am ac-
customed to 60 down into the gar.
den with my tutor?p
The Emperor uttered loud cry.
"a miracle u be exclaimed. aMy
child lives !" and taking his son into
his aims, be covered him with kiss.
cs. Then, turning toward the sol.
diers, lie said go, summon the
Empress then hasten TO the town
and proclaim TO all that / order
general rejoicing. The prince is
saved There must be Examinations
at night. My treasurers shall per-
ambulate the streets, scattering gold
and silver money 10 The populace.
All the bells are TO be rung, and 10
the temples the BONES shall sing
the praises of the merciful Gods 10
the accompaniment Of the festal
ongs. As for thee,p lie continued,