The Tupelo journal., 1906-05-18

self, impatiently. But Jambres waa
too busy rubbing and scratching him.
self and trying to obtain relief from
the lice to make reply. And thus, in
stead Of their stately, dignifed en-
trance to the kings presence, they en-
tered his apartments with nervous,
hating steps, and found him in like
distress of body, for in place of the
cold serenity and naughty dignity with
which he invariably received his off,
Gals, he moved uneasily on his throne,
and then nervously rose and shook
himself and took his seat again. AS
his eyes fell upon James and JAM
bres, his face somewhat l%ightened, and
he cried, excitedly:
What means this dreadful visitation
Let us see by thy entertainments II thou.
too, a bring forth these lice. Then
shall | know that Moses God is no god
at ALL"
Then were James and Jambres filled
with confusion by the words of the
king, for they had taken no thought as
to the manner of calling forth the lice
as Moses had done. They knew not
what reply to make to their lord, and
stood in embarrassed silence before
him.
Recovering their self-possession at
last, however, they cleverly parted for
time, saying:
know, o king, that in so Important
a matter all thy magicians and sorcer-
ers of the temple must be summoned
that we may have the help OF all those
who serve before the gods OF Egypt.
But let not thy heart be troubled in this
thy distress. Have we not shown
Pharaoh the turning of the water to
blood, and the calling forth of frogs,
even as Moses did, and shal we not
again triumph"
GO then" cried Pharaoh, inpatient
ly. "And return at once, for | shall be
awaiting thee here"
Soon. in answer to the hasty sum-
mons, the magicians and sorcerers Oh
Egypt were hurrying to the palace from
every direction, and held hasty con-
sultation with James n Jampres,
who delayed the return to the royal
presence so long that the king, unw1ll
ing to wait longer, sent imperative
word that they appear.
Then was begun a most desperate
struggle upon the part of the KING S
magicians to turn the dust to lice. Their
wierd chanting filled the great a
where they were gathered. They tried
all their entertainments and in the fren-
zy of desperation beat their breasts and
called upon their gods to hear and an
swer but there came no answering
sign. With eager intensity Pharaoh
watched every nov of his magicians,
and when they threw themselves
upon the ground before him in
token of their failure, he waved them
to one side, and called:
Let James and Jambres appear.
They shall not fail us even as they did
not when the rivers were turned to
blood and the frogs appeared"
Again the chanting began, the at
tendant priests keeping time to the
movements of James and Jambres,
who now came and stood before the
king. But at last after exhaustlng
themselves in their efforts they sank
to the ground as the others had done,
and a solemn stiffness as of death fell
upon the place.
Pharaoh sat as one turned to stone,
a look almost of scorn upon his face,
which hardened into an expression or
bitted hatred as the moments of tense
agony dragged themselves out.
At last one of the magicians crept to
his side and whispered in a voice that
fairly quivered with the tensity of it's
suppressed W. and terror:
"This is the finger of Cod"
Another, emboldened by the action
of the first, also stepped forward and re-
peated the words:
YEA, it is the finger of God"
Another and another and still an
other did likewise, until at last James
and Jambres were alone and still pros
trate upon the ground at the feet OF
Pharaoh. Had they not heard? Would
they, too, admit the superiority OF
Moses God?
The eyes of the king burned like Goals
of fire as he looked upon them. Higher
and higher he lifted his imperious
head. More and more rigid became his
form. But he spake not.
Again the intense, tragic whisper
r~everberated through the room: "This
is the finger of Cod"
The kissing, piercing echo had scarce
ly died away among the lofty pillars OF
the vaulted hall when James and
Jambres leaped to their feet with a
fierce, angry cry which made even
Pharaoh start upon his throne.
TRAITORS to the gods of Egypt" they
shouted, pointing their accusing fingers
at them and swaying their bodies in the
intensity of their emotions. Traitors!
Think you that Moses shall prevail?
Not while James and Jambres car
withstand Moses to his face. Let
Pharaoh not falter. This plague like
the others will pass. The gods of Egypt
will finally triumph"
Slowly, Pharaoh rose until his tower
ing height seemed to o~vershadow all.
There was a glitter in his eye and a
cruel, hard smile played over his fea-
lures as he again waved the magicians
at his side away, and exclaimed:
James and Jambres have spoken.
Hear We them"
A Dead Loss.
See here, Aunt Dinah, / sent two