The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-24
~ THE REIGN OF XAER. &c
BY PAUL COOK.

certain individuals exce1led others in
learning. There were neither slaves nor
servants and the king alone was served
by the warriors or his councillors. 1t was
these who now upheaved Huilpi by their
activities.
Outside on the plain the Unconditional
Martans testified their jubilation by
strains of music poured out by their Won
derful instruments and frequent detona-
tons of chemical guns In Huilpi the
people awaited for the appointed day.
At last the nuptial hour arrived and the
tense silence of waiting brooded over
Huilpi For twenty-four hours of the
Marian day the palace resounded with
din, and at the approach of darkness the
ceremonies began. In the banqueting hall
a great throng was gathered to do honor
to Xacr and his queen. The spacious
apartment glowed and scintillated as il
adorned by countless Jewels and without
the whole city shone equally bright.
Strains of music were waited to the ear,
like the signing of a low wind. From CEN
sers clouds of sweet smelling vapor arose,
which soothed and stole over the senses
so subtlely that the guests were hardly
aware of Its presence. The sound of voices
was like the subdued murmur of the
ocean. Delicately wrought vessels were
piled high with viands to refresh the nu-
merous guests and at each plate was a
censor, for emitting exhilarating fumes,
which were to be inhaled later in the
evening.
Thus several hours passed away, while
the stir of the throng without Huilpi PEN
etrated even to the palace. Suddenly a ST.
lence fell. Every musical instrument was
hushed and only the purple fumes con-
tinued to roll silently from the censers.
At the further end of the hall. where
there was a dais and double throne, the
twelve patriarchs entered in solemn state,
gowned In chrystal robes which shone like
the sun. In their midst walked Zya,
wearing no Jewels, for the Martians had
none, but robed in garments that dazzled
by their splendor. After them came Xacr.
his regal bearing and magnificent apparel
worthy of Marian king. Advancing in
front of the dais Xacr took his seat while
the twelve patriarchs announced the bans
in unison. Turning, they presented the
new queen to Xacr, who conducted her to
the chair beside his own
This was the signal for the festivities to
begin. Thunderous salutes from chemi-
cal guns shook the city, the reverberat-
ing roar encircllng the planet. Ten
thousand musical instruments began to
play In exquisite harmony and all Huilpi
was filled with clouds of purple fumes.
The guests in the banqueting hall Toasted
ana ln1aleu Tunes uHlll lOSl III Dl1SSlul
unconsciousness. For days the feasting
continued and the occasion was ever
afterward remembered by the historians.
When at last the period of feastng was
ended the people returned to their homes
and the usual quiet was restored to
Huilpi. Xacr devoted his time to encour-
aging the scientists and philosophers In
their researches after knowledge. Since
there was now no foe to combat the sol
diery was continually trained in the pro-
fesson of arms as practiced by the Mar
tians, for these people already had fore
boding of the great wars they would be
called upon to wage In space at later
period.
At this time the Martians had pro-
crossed to an advanced stage in literature.
OF course there were no books, but the
choicest thought of the sages. poets, and
philosophers were photographed on great
scrolls which were displayed by mechan-
ical means and were practically indie
structible. Much of the time was spent
in compiling the early history of the Mar
tians, since this was a study of great in