Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-07-06

OF the lowest caste OF HlnQuS, Wnlle
her neighbor was great Indian
prince, for political reasons living in
magnificent semi-captiyity, on his pa
role to the British Government not to
leave the neighborbood of Calcutta.
SO while his majesty Of Behar re-
sided in a fine palace facing the river,
Soil lived with her father and ten lit
tie brothers and sisters in a dilapidat-
ed, matched hut just outside the
kings gate.
Two other creatures OF widely differ
ent characteristics made up Soils
family circle-a lean, humble COW. for
the greater part tethercd out in the
compound, and amonster cobra snake,
that, unlimited, had taken up his
abode in the matched roof of the hut,
and who, being regarded by the fami-
ly as the incarnate spirit of silva, the
terrible god of the lowest caste of
Hindus. was fed on milk and eggs at
all costs, even when the rest of the
household were nigh upon starvation.
Often had Soil gazed with awe upon
their great neighbor, but only once
had the eyes of the king fallen upon
Soil.
"Doab, who is that girl?" demanded
the King of Behar of handsome har-
kara (footman) standing upon the
splashboard of the equipage.
The barbara purposely looked in
the wrong direction and replied that
he did not know, but that he was as
dust under the feet of the great king
to do his bidding.
Then find out" peremptorily or
dered the king, for the girls slender
form and graceful pose had pleased
his royal fancy. Find out, " said the
king. "D'you hear me, Doab?"
Doab at once intimated that the
kings command should be obeyed
but as he did so, frown clouded the
brow of his usually placid counte-
nance.
For some minutes Soil stood watch
ing her royal neighbor's progress, un-
. til as he passed out of view, she
turned to enter the hut, when voice
at hand stayed her footsteps.
"Solil Hullo, Soil, there!"
"Ah, sahib," quickly responded the
} girl, as she caught sight of the cap
tain's steward of one of the ships ly
ing at Garden Beach, who had ap.
preached the hut unobserved.
'How about that washing that was
to have been on board to-day" de
manded the steward ''We sail a.
noon tomorrow, and it is now [
{ O'clock"
81 will see" replied the girl, turn
ing sharply toward the door of the
hut. Then she gave vent to littl,
cry, and started back, for with lout
, hiss long, dark object glided away
from under her feet and coiled itselt
in an attitude Of aggressive defense
My God, cobra!" exclaimed the
steward as he dashed forward and
aimed blow with his cane at the ser
pent's uplifted head
The blow fell, but not where it wa
intended, for the girl threw out hel
arms, and, interposing her own per
+ son, received it instead, while thu
= snake made off unframed.
why What did you do that for?'
ASKED Ine steward, as he stared VIII
the utmost establishment at the trem
e bling Hindu maid.
G so, you must not strike him." sh,
cried in terror. "You must not, in
deed. He is silva, the terrible god. I
you had struck him he would hav,
' killed US all. He lives up in the thatcl
l of the roof"
, "Do you mean to say you let tina
reptile haug around your house,?
asked the amazed steward.
"He was only waiting for his milk,
l replied the girl, as if making an apol
, ogy for the cobra's act. 81 had for
gotten to give it him"
II hope I didn't hurt YOU sal
the steward, in tone of real concern
30, no." replied the girl, and sh
r thereupon ran inside, and shortly re
Q turned to say that the captain sahib'
clothes would surely be on board tn
ship early the next morning.
: "Well, I'm blowed" soliloquize
f the steward, as he cautiously pickle
i. his way out through the rank grass q