St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-03-23
STORY OF KING MIDAS
BY ANNA CHAPIN HAY.

BY ANNA CHAPLIN HAY.
Bacchus, the wine god, to whom
Ariadne was promised in marriage,
was kindly, affectionate fellow, and
he dearly loved his old master, ST.
lenus. Well he might love him, for
Silenus had been a second father to
him. But, one unhappy day when
he was too tipsy to know what he was
really doing, old Silenusstrayed away
from home and was lost.
Up and down the country Bacchus
went hunting for him, while all the
time Silenus was safe at the court of
King Midas. Some countrymen, it
seems, had found the old man wan
derlng about. They did not know
what else to do with him, SO they led
him to the king Midas recognized
him at once and gave him a royal well
come. For ten days and ten nights
the guest was treated to constant
feasting. On the eleventh day Midas
led the old man back to Baechus.
Bacchus hailed him gladly. In his
Joy he told Midas that to reward his
goodness toward his old master, he
would grant any wish that Midas
might make.
With everything in his reach Midas
never hesitated moment. He was a
greedy man, and he told Bacchus that
he wanted most of all to have what
ever he touched turn to gold. Ifthis
wish were granted, it would be
enough. The gold would buy any
thing else he might happen to fancy.
Bacchus saw further than Midas
could do. He knew the choice was a
bad one, but his word was given and
he must grant the wish.
Never was happier king than Mi
das, as he started forhome. He could.
not believe inhis good luck, SO, as soon
as he was out Of sight of Bacchus. he
picked little twig from an oak tree
above his shead. Sure enough, there
it was in lis hand, pure, shining gold.
He tried oanother, larger one this
time. Gold againl He picked up a
stone and found himself holding a
rough golden ball. He took an apple
from tree, piece Of turf from the
ground, Both were quickly turned
to gold. Half wild with joy, he hur-
ried onward, eager to tell his good
fortune. AS soon as he reached the
palace he ordered his servants tomake
ready a feast splendid enough to do
honor to so rich king.
Then his trouble began. Hungry
and thirsty, he came to the tabl..
The first morsei Of food that touche.l
his lips turned 10 solid, heavy COLE,
fit food for nothing but an ostrich.
Again and again he made the trias,
but his teeth only grated on the hard
metal. Then he tried to drink. So
much comfort, at least, he thought,
would be left to him. The choices,
wine ran down his fated throat. q
stream of melted gold.
1t was more than poor Midas could
bear. He rushed away from thetable
to try to rid himself of his hideous
gift. 1t was of no use. Hecould gain
no relief until, lifting his arms high
in the air, he prayed to Bacchus to
take away his golden touch. Bacchus
was always kind, and, besides, he felt
that Midas had learned his lesson
well. The next time he would be less
greedy. So the god heard the prayer
and answered it.
go to the river Paetolus," he told
the wretched king, follow the stream
to its source, and there plunge your
head and body into the water, to
wash away your sin and its punish
ment."
Faster and more eagerly than he 4
had left Bacehus in order to try his
golden touch, Midas now went in
search of its destruction. He found
the source Of the river, washed and
was freed from the terrible gift, but
the water received it in his place. and
went flowing away over golden sands !
From that time on Midas hated
gold and glory aad the splendor Of his