Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-03-31
The Other Wise r1an.

the most beautiful character stories
that has ever been put in type.
The tale runs that in the days when
Herod reigned in Jerusalem, there
lived among the mountains of
Persia a certain man who saw the
rising of the star in the East. He was
man of sensitive feeling but strong
convictions one of those who, in what,
ever age they may live, think it better
to follow ''even the shadow of the best
than remain content with the worst"
Consequently this man sold his pos
sessions and purchased three jewels a
sapphire, ruby, and pearl, to carry
as gifts to the newborn King. Mount
ing his swiftest steed, he fastened
across wide wastes of forest and plain
towards the Temple of the Seven
Spheres, where he expected to join a
caravan in waiting. But in marsh
near Babylon, he CHANGED upon a
dying Hebrew, and humanity prompt,
ed him to pause and minister to the
suffering stranger, though by tarrying
he missed his opportunity TO cross the
desert in company with his friends,
the ''three wise men," who were con-
strained to depart without him.
The horse of the other wise man was
too spent to continue the journey,
therefore he was obliged to sell the sap
phire in order to buy canIeis, and pro-
visions to enable him to press onward.
After many days he drew near Beth
lehem, and finding the streets of the
village strangely deserted, he entered
a cottage to Inquire where he should
find the infant Jesus.
A young mother who was hushing
her baby to sleep, told him that Joseph
aad Mary had fled with the child into
Egypt.
While they were conversing, sudden
ly n noise of wild confusion, with clash
ing of swords, and cries of distress,
broke on the air.
The young mothers face grew white
with terror. "Herod's soldiers are kill.
ing the children" she whispered, as
she crouched in dark corner, seeking
to hide her babe from view.
The soldiers came hurrying down the
street with bloody hands, and dripping
swords. The other wise man met
them at the door, and sacrificed his
FNraninuo rr1hxy RI tho hnhapg Efn
Artaban had now parted with two of
his gifts, and he also feared he had
risked the divine favor he had hoped
to obtain, yet he still pressed onward
in search of the King.
After long years of toilsome quest,
weary, worn, and disappointed, he
reached the holy city, meeting an ex-
cited throng on their way to witness a
crucifixion. The other wise man had
at last found the object of his patient
inquiry, and he had arrived just in
time to offer his carefully cherished
pearl as ransom for the Kings life.
But as with slow and painful steps he
sought to make his way towards the
Damascus gate, a maiden threw her
self at his feet, crying: "Have pity on
me for the God of Purity! My father
is dead, and am seized for his debts,
to be sold slave. Save me from
worse than death!n
The other wise man hesitated with
conflict in his soul-the conflict be-
tween desire and humanity. Human
ity triumphed, and the third and last
gift, which he had consecrated as tri-
butte to the King was parted with to
save a girls virtue. The quest was
over, and it had failed of its purpose.
He had no longer ought to hope, but he
had been true to the voice of conscience;
and as he knelt at the foot of the cross,
despairing, and ready to die, the King
said to him:
"TnaSmuch as thou hast done 1t unto
one Of the least Of t.eSe my brethern,
thou hast done 1t INTO me-"
The other wise man is still on earth,
and he lives in Cameron county. His
name is Josiah Howrrd, and | am glad,
sincerely glad, that our county is to
have an opportunity to show how
much we appreciate the noble heart
that is so ready to lend helping hand
when misfortune overtakes one. He
has elevated the moral tone of Empori-
um beyond words by his thoughtful
deeds He has helped youth up the
ladder of life in a way that will make
many future man call his memory
blessed. And his secret ministrations
to the afflicted outnumber his public
benefactions. Moreover he has never
Disseminated between Democrats and
Republicans when he could assuage
grief, or lend helping hand; and 1
hope party lines may be relaxed, and
that he may pile up great majority
on clean political slate.
That Cameron county may be fort
unate enough to be represented by
"The Other Wise Man" is the sincere