The Washington times., 1904-03-27

He set out on a Journey through Asia.
teaching the cnltiv5slor Of the s3if gnd
the making of wine and beer.
His most famous exo4dltion WAS into
india. This lasted several years.
Returning in triumph. he undertook 70
Introduce his worship Into Greees. nut
was most violently opposed. AS he APP
preached his native city. Thebss, in
Greece. Pentheus. the King. who had no
respect for the new worship. forbade IT'S
rites TO be performed
But when Il became know tha BAG
chus was approaching, men. women and
children rushed forth to meet him.
Pentheugs had him seized and shack
led. He was taken before the king.
Fellow! You shah be put TO death
that your fate may serve IS. a warning
TO all impostors," thundered Pantheus
when Bacchns was brought before him.
Most just OF Kings you would not
assassinase even an. tnposter without
hearing his story replied the unterri-
ned Baeehus. |
NO. though l do ssrudge the delay OF
your termination. = tell us OF yourself
and the new rites you presume to ceis-
- az
Ny name Is hcetes. replied the phi
sloaet. I am from Maeconia Upon tie
death OF my parents I inherited their
fshing nets and followed their trsede for
some, time I tired OF remaining con-
tinually In one place and shipped on a
vessel for Delos. On the way we
touched at the Island OF Dia, far ss4stt..
1 went ashore with others OF the crew.
While they went 70 the spfings L
mounted a hiil.sto observe the wind
When the men Fstpfned they otpaght
with them d boy OF. DELICATE appearaaee
whom they had found asleep. They
jidged him so be OF noble birgh, aud de-
termined 10 hold him Tor ransom. Z, =. !,
After observing him. his walk dress
and mien. I. decided, that ,theY were
more than mortal.
said TO my men, "A god sis concealed
in that form. We. shall not do. him ,,io
lence. Pardon us, gentle dies Z for the,
violence We. have done yup sind Elish as
well on our undertakings,
But Melanthus. Dictys and Epopeus
cried out against me. and Nyco6as. a
rough fellow. tried &c throw me over
board. The rest approved the deed
Then Baechus. for il was he. in
drowsy manner inquired What are
you doing with. me? Who brought me
here. Where are you taking mes
In meantime. I refused TO pilot the
ship. as the crew now insisted upon 60
ing to Egypt to sell the god for a
slave They cursed me. and exclaimed.
"Dont think that Aye depend upon you
for our pilotage.' So. taking the helm.
one OF them turned. the ships head
from Naxos and bore away for Egypt
Then the god pretended that he had
Just Lecome aware Of their treachery
looked around and said: sailors. yon-
der island. 'Naxos. is my home; take me
there" But the crew only laughed
1T is small glory YOU will gain by
cheating a poor boy"
Then aiI-at once the vessel stopped in
ma sea Vines twihed round their oars.
and up the masts. Z -
Sounds Of nutes and odor OF fragrant
wine filled the arr. Tigers and leopards
crouched at the feet Of the god. He
made himself "a crown OF leaves
The crew. panic-strieken. .lesped over
board; they were changed to dolphins
and will swim the waters of the sea for
ever. s-f-sts 81, E.-- .... ..f- 81.
OF twenty men ] was left alone Trem-
bling with fear the god eheered me-
Fear not, Acetes;'' he said; steer
for Naxos." 1 obeyed. and upon arrival
there / kindled fires on the affairs and
celebrated the sacred rites of Bacchus.
Pantheus here explained that sufficient
time had been wasted. and ordered the
execution.
Burdened with chains ne was led 10
the place OF execution. just as the hand
OF the executioner was about TO fall. IL
vas mystsriousiy arrested. The chains
fell from the prisoner and in blaze OF
light he disappeared.
From that time on Bacehns was UNI
versally worshippsd in Greece. and the
festival OF Spring dedicated in his
honor.
But that Easter. as it is known to-
day in Christian lands. should be identi-