The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-25

told il he was one of the cherubim who
praised God night and day. and that he
had slipped out Of their ranks unobserved,
in order that he might get glimpse of
the paradise which God had prepared for
the saints. and begged it TO hide him under
it's feathers and show him the wonderful
garden. Upon the peacock Directing that TO
do so might draw down upon it the dis
favor of God. Eblis answered. ''Magnifi-
cent creature, take me with you, and /
Will teach you three words which will save
you from sickness, old age and death"
The peacock was alarmed, and asked IL
the jewellers in PARADISE must die. "All.
without exception" said Eblis. who know
not these three words" The peacock be-
lieved him. but fearing discovery by
Riohwan. 1t was afraid to take Eblis. and
said it would send out the wise serpent,
who would certainly devise some means of
| introducing him into the garden The SCRIP
| ent was the queen of all creatures Her
| head was like unto rubies and her eyes
were like unto pearls. She was tall as
| camel and her skin was adorned with the
most beautiful colors; her face and hair
were those of a beautiful maiden. "She
was fragrant as musk and amber; her
food was saffron; sweet hymns of praise
| were uttered by her melodious tongues
| she slept by the waters of the heavenly
river Kauthar; she had been made a thou
| sand years before man, and was Ewes
favorite companion"
The peacock reasoned that the serpent
would desire to possess perpetual youth
and beauty and health. and would gladly
admit the cherub for the sake of the three
words. and reasoned well; for as soon as
| she had heard the story, the serpent de-
| clared that rather than lose her beauty
| and grow old and wrinkled and ugly, she
| would brave Ridhwan's anger. and intro
| duce the cherub. o. vanity Thou most
| potent factor in mans undoing, what have
| we not paid for thee?
| The serpent passed out of the gates of
| paradise, and hearing from Eblis the
same story he had told the peacock, and
believing it, readily consented to his wishes
in order that she might learn the three
| words which would insure her Immortality
and wanted to know how she could intro
duce him unobserved into Paradise. Then
Eblis said he would make himself small.
and sit in the nick between her front teeth.
and that upon her returning through the
hearing which Ridhwan would keep
| silence. Now, when she had passed Ridh-
wan safely. and come within the garden,
| the serpent wanted Eblis to take her to
the highest heaven where she might be-
hold the majesty Of God; but Eblis de-
sired first to speak to Adam out of her
mouth, and the serpent consented. she
was anxious to learn the three talismanic
words. When they reached Ewes tent.
Eblis uttered a deep sigh, the first that
had ever been heard in Paradise. "why
art thou so troubled, gentle serpent %
Eve asked and Ebls. speaking from the
serpent's mouth, answered. 'T am troubled
for Adams future" and went on to say
that the noblest fruit of the garden, the
only one securing to her perfect happiness,
was denied to her lips. ard told her that
II she knew why II was forbidden, she
would find little pleasure In tasting the
others. do you known asked Eve. 81
do" replied Eblis, still speaking with the
voice of the serpent, land for that reason
am so cast down. This fruit alone gives
eternal youth and health, whereas all the
others give weakness, disease. old age
and death, which is the cessation of life
with all its joys" why, dearest serpent
said Eve, did you never tell me this be-
fore? Whence know you these things?'
IAN angel told me- replied Eblis, ''as
lay under the forbidden tree" Then Eve
saying that she must see the angel also
started toward the tree, whereupon Eblis
flew out of the serpent's mouth. and stood
in human form under the tree. Eve was
amazed when she saw being of dazzling
beauty beneath the tree. "Who art thou
wondrous being, the like of whom I have
not seen before?" she asked, whereupon
Eblis told her he was a man who had
become an angel by eating the forbidden
fruit. This fruit" said the tempter, which
is denied us by the envy of God dared tc
break his command as I grew old and
feeble. and my reyes waxed dim. my ears dull
and my teeth fell out so that I could
neither speak plainly nor enjoy my food
my hands shook, my feet tottered my
head was bent upon my breast. my bach
was bowed and became so hideous thai
all the beasts in the garden fed from me
in fear. Then sighed for death. and hop
ing to find it in the fruit of this tree, ate
and 10! instantly 1 was young again
though thousand years had elapsed sine,
was made. They had fled with all theil
traces. and 1 enjoy perpetual health anC
youth and beauty
do you speak the TRUTH" asked Eve
81 swear by the God who made me that
speak the truth" said the Prince of al
liars-and their name is legion.
Now Eve did not suppose that such ar
angelic creature could speak other thar
the truth. Innocent of guile and confiding-
characteristic of the sex unto this day
she believed what she was told. So sh,
broke off a branch of the wheat tree anC
eating of the grains found il the mos
delicious thing she had ever eaten, anC
offered a second grain TO Adam, who de
clined at first. but seeing that Eve re
manned we'll and cheerful he yielded L
her persuasions and ate of the SECOND
grain. Then the earth quaked and thicl
clouds descended the winds roared anC
the lightnings flashed; there was shriekinl
and kissing of the elements and crash upor
crash of reverberant thunder that shooI
the arch CT heaven. and storms as of ele
mental wrath swirled and roared over tn,
garden. The heavenly garments Will
which Adam was clothed slipped from hi
shoulders. the crown from his head anC
the rings from his fingers. and naked anC
unadorned he and Eve covered befor,
: the awful blasts that enconpassed then
roundabout. The throne recoiled from
| them. CRYING out. 'sDepart from me We dis