The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-02
A letter From Ulysses.

Island of 5Aeaea, June ]. 1900 B. fC.-My
Dear Penelope You$will be glad, Lam sure,
to hear that yoiire husband has escaped
the enchantments' tof Circe and to learn how
we have unwoyen some of her tangled webs.
We arrived at the island day before yester-
day and anchored in the bay in ten feet of
water. Making a landing on the beach with
most of the crew. climbed a hill and saw
no sign of habitation except at one spot in
the center of the island, where there was
palace EMPOWERED with trees.
Fearing treachery of some kind, sent for
ward Eurylochus with half the crew to see
what might eventuate, and remained myself
on the hill with my glass to my eye, ready
to give him aid in case of hostile attack.
The result was most remarkable. AS Fury
lochus approached the palace he was sur
rounded by lions, tigers, wolves and swine,
not fierce, apparently, but tanned, as it finally
came out, by Circes arts, for the lady is GER
tainly powerful magician. We found after
wards that all these animals had formerly
been men, but were changed to beasts by
Gree. 1 know this will sound tosyou like
fish story, but 1t is an absolute fact
To make long story Short the crew with
Eurylochus heard soft music and sweet fe-
male voice singing: II am the honeysuckle;
you are the bee The men all went into the
palace except Eurylochus. The goddess re-
ceved them with smiling face, shook hands
with them and asked them to Rave something
to drink. You know what a sailor is, my
dear, and 1T is unnecessary to say that they
took little beer to assuage their thirst for
the day was very warm. They also broke
into the free lunch quite heavily. At this
point the goddess touched them with her
wand and they were Immediately changed into
swine, ''head, body, voice and bristles," yet
with their intellects as before.
When Eurylochus saw what had happened
he came running back out Of breath and told
the gruesome tale. You may. be sure y
at once determined to do what could - e
poor fellows.
Slipping two revolvers into my pockets I
started out alone for the palace. AS I went
down the hill l met a fine young gentleman
who gave me his card bearing the name of
Mercury, and warned me of the dangers Of
approaching Gree and told me of some Of her
arts. I was indignant and decided to push
on and face the lady, whatever happened.
Seeing that I could not be dissuaded, Mer-
curry gave me an enchanted plant Of wonderful
power to resist malicious mental malpractice
and told me how to act and what ideas to hold
in mind to protect myself.
must say that Gree received me like a
lady and a queen. remarked that it~was a
fine day and that she must be interested In
live stock, judging by the fine display. She
smiled and offered me food, of which 1 par
took. After had eaten she touched me with
her wand ana said: %'*
Hence; seek the sty and wallow with thy
friends
mot on your. life'' replied, and drew my
sword. She fell on her knees and begged
for mercy. made her sign a compact to
release all the sailors and to practice no
further hypnotism. She promised faithfully
to do SO, and I must say she has been as
good as her word The men were overjoyed
to escape from their animal consciorsnesses
and have been enjoying their shore leave to
the full.
I must say, my dear Penelope, that while
Gree is very beautiful woman and all that,
she cannot hold candle to my dear Pen elope,
whose photograph have in my pocket and
who occupies all my waking thoughts. In my
next letter will tell you how we escaped
the Sirens, who are typewriter ladies' living
on the coast near ny and whose songs are
calculated to make a man forget home and
mother. However, we got by them safely.
Be sure to keep the hens out of the garden,
and do not forget to put the cat out at night.
Most lovingly your husband.
ULYSSES