Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1906-05-10

VI . n 2 n 5 va.
emptyiux her xayIy- -decked crowds out
upon the rivers brink The coming OF
Pharaoh with bis royal rvtfnus. and
preceded By the priests Of the great
temple was the signal for an outburst
OF enthusiasm and great rejoicing As
the immense wooden image of the river
god. Apis. borne alotr in the midst Of
the company 0f priests. passed. the peo-
pie bowed in rsverent awe. and then
falling in behind the king and his at
tendaurs. the procession moved down
20 the rivers brink The peopie eangnt
up the song Of the priests and cnaztet
With them
HAIL. o Nile. thou comest forth over
thts land. thou comest in peace. giving
life IN Egypt. o hidden xDss,-
The place selected tor the ceremonies
Of blessing the waters of the Nile was a
large and beautiful garden sxrending
along the banks Of the river rsr snu1s
tisrznce Here II vas that Phar7oh
cane for hts daily abEgtious. and none
nixht enter within the borsters Of the
place But once a year UPON the OCCASION
of the greatest festival the beautiful
grounds we're thrown open to the peo-
pie II vas n gala 1ay and following
ts~ ceremonies AZ the rivers brink and
aster the return Of the king 10 his pal
ase. the people would Hngsr for rae
dancing ant ceasfi1g that 6Ilei the lay
The procession moved forward 70 the
point where Phlraon's thrune had been
set The spirits of the people ran high.
and they watched the movements OF
the priests. expectanrIy- The latter
placed the image Of Apis on he pedestal
ar the brink Oe the river hefors the
tArure and then Separated while
Pharaoh moved down the isle thus
formed and euok his place UPON the
throne
Then arufn the song Of the priests
vaS -zSss.f a they -hanrssf their hyun-
Hail o Nile the xor,ss rang out On
the air and roares over the waters OF
ths peaceful and beautiful river whose
surface secksd and spanked n the
bright sunshine and seemed ID r1sn
- "A AE%~fl12-
-HaI. o Nile thev sang. and thea
rDOvsd abruptly As they saw the king
rise SldderIy. and with an expression
on his face OF half anger. half con-
sreruariou. point towards two figures
which were advancing from behind the
PEDESTAL on which the image Of Apis
had been placed
The song vas soryDtren. an opprss-
sfve. nervous hush FELL upon the thruug,
AMI an ewes were turned in the dfrse-
rinn in which the king was looking
Slowly. and with a Seif-possession and
dignity that held the king. his eourtiers
and priests spelI-bound. the two men
moved and came and stood before the
throne Pharaoh sank back into his
place upon the throne. but he spaks no
word for astonfshment and anger ami
apprehension which struggled for the
mastery within rendered him speech
less And the priests and attendants
likewise made no move
Its Moses and Aaron" whispered
one Of the court attendants. uneasily-
rs AE% k11LEtA LA1 4Ff@A4ANLF eN1
apprehension he felt sounding in his
voice What brings them here.
wonder-
See exclaimed the first speaker.
-Noses has his rod with him. My. were
not the kings magicians ehazrfnet and
asrouished yesterday when Moses rep
tile swallowed IN theirs-"
And did YOU note the effect on
Pharaoh He seemed troubled when
his mazirians were unable % recover
their reptiles.
YES hut his anger seemed rathsr
against Moses and Aaron than against
his own ma=ieians. and I wonder that
the former have dared come into his
presence again But listen Moses Is
speaking and the two strained their
ears to catch his words
The Lord God Of the Hebrews hath
sent ne unto thee" Moses said. and
then paused
Pharaoh-s brow darkened and his
iip eurfed with scorn as he said.
who is the God OF the Hebrews that
I should listen unto Him." and vav-
ing his hand towards the image before
him and then with sweep Of his arm
taking IN the expanse Of placid waters
that stretched away IN every direction
he added Behold Egypts god xaom
to-day We honor Daresr thou AZ such 4
time come and speak in the name Of thy
aS.rrsIa~.. .r~-fTv nur-s-..s rhs
Priests and they would have Ieaped