The free press. (Southern Pines, N.C.) 1898-19??, 1899-01-20
a Legend Of Solomon.
fFor The Free Press.l

temple the illustrious Solomon, King OF
Israel, had frequent occasion 10 eyer
else his judgment in deciding cases OF
dispute which occasionally arose be-
tween the workmeu, and from the sat
isfacti0n which his decisions invariably
gave, acquired the surname OF The
WISE" title Of which he becam9 at
last so proud that the great ArchRect
of the world, by whom doubtless he
had been inspired. thought ft, in dis
mercy aud wisdom, to reprove him,'fr
as rabnical writer justly observes;
VANITY is a serpent that devoureth
the core of wisdom" One Of the over
seers, or men entrusted with the d.
recliOn of the work and the payment OF
the men, being summoned TO attend
meeting ofhs class, called TO him two
of his craftsmen and placed IN tlelr
hands a sum of gold, directing theul II
he did not return by the appointed tiae'
| to pay the hire of their fellows. As
several hours were wanting 10 the VI "
of payment the two craftsmen agTed
to bury the treasure which they sid
received aud proceed to their dlileltnt
occupations. They accordingly so'ffg'
secluded place and committed 3he
gold to the guardship of Its nat~e
earth. About an hour before the lIiur
of paying the people arrived the o~r-
seer returned and demanded of he
| craftsmen the treasure which he had
confded to them. They told him what
they had doue with it and conducted
him to the place where it had been de-
posted. On their arrival they began
to dig, aud after removing the soil,
| found that the treasure had vanished.
The overseer Immediately charged the
two men with robbery. the men each
accused the other, aud finally were car
ried by the soldiers whom the officer
summoned before the judgment seat
of the King.
1t CHANGED that on that day Solomon
presided in royal state, in the midst OF
his cOunselors, to receive the anibassa-
doris of the different monarohS, who.
hearing of his fame, were soIicitous OF
his alliaace. He naturally wished,
therefore. to distinguish himself belore
them. but it pleased the Architect of
al that hs pride should be rebuked.
Tina two craftsmen. on being questioned
by the King, each declared his infIo-
cence and answered every question
with the utmost righteousness. They
were examined with the most subtle
skill but nothing could he elected.
They must have been watched
exclaimed their judge. half vexed Mt
the difficulties which presented them
selves, land the treasure stolen by
some robber; see no other solution
This. however, the men both declared
to be impossible. mot n tree was in
sight" said Joel, the first of the crafts
men. mot shelter for a sparrow. !"
sassl- IFaa Nc ssSsiEa aAs
each began to accuse the other Of the
theft. Finding ii impossible 10 come
to II decision the mortified Solomon
hastily dismissed his council, after first
remandlng the men TO prison, and then
walked alone TO enjoy an hour of re-
Election in the royal gardens.
1t happened that two old craftsmen
who had been present at the examiua-
ton were seated under n cedar tree dis
GUESSING the affair, and not perceivng
the presence of the King, continued
their conversation. 1.-The judgment Of
the ruler seems at fault" observed the
first, "the wisdom of the King hath
failed" 1T is the Divine will, doubt
less" replied his companion, "to re-
prove the vanity Of Solomon, to teach
him that his power and wisdom are
but the gift Of the Most High, or else
he could scarcely have erred in so sim
pie matter"
The King, who had overheard the
last speech, was highly incensed at
their presumption, and commanded the
guards TO seize them, To their en-
treaties for mercy no replied "df
thou canst decide this matter not only
will / give thee life and freedom, bpt
chain of gold and ring from the treas
ury of Israel will | add. and make Nlee
ruler over thy fellows; ii NOD. by my
royal word, thou dest." ''Iaccept the
condition cheerfully," answered the oia
man. my trust Is in Him who never
failed His servants who sought Him in
fear and humility. Call together, .,
King, the council, and in an hour *iil
l appear before thee and make know
the guilty TO thy Justice
Again was Solomon seated upon lhe
throne of Israel, his brow sparkling
with the diadem, his cOunsellors aud
wise men around him and the ambas-
sailors of his allies before his face. The
old craftsman entered, bearing in his
hands a vessel covered with linen.
Bowing reverently before the thrcno
he said: behold, . King, am now
prepared, let the criminals stand before
thy presence. They were led on by
the guards, when the monarch by The
direction Of his aged coadiutor, them nd
dressed them. "In the vase before
you, which is half filled with sand, lies
buried serpent which was sent me
from Egypt. 1t hath the peculiar
properties of discovering the guilt or