Oxford eagle., 1906-04-26

sl% ti OF the Egyptian
.Ib1 overseers had been
Kkp (S~tl- killed and that the
NN,N.se aA.1s Hebrews were
N'l :. - swarminE over the
Ia n d plundering
and even numbering the people. Excited
groups gathered on the streets. and in
the market place rehearsing these
stories and with each repetition some
new and awful detail was added until at
last that which started as vague and un-
certain rumor was told and believed as
actual fact
They cannot be very far from the
city now. remarked one Of a group
standing near the city's gate. for this
morning my brother came in over the
road which runs to the north and he
told me he saw many os the half-naked
Hebrews lurking ip the fields and sour
'ytng here and there like rats over .
dung heap
Why are not the soldiers called out,'
broke in a voice. nervously. Il always
felt those Hebrews would cause
trouble
Yes" spoke up a third. they say that
Moses has returned and this uprising
is doubtless his work II is known that
he has been before Pharaoh. and the
report is that he demanded that his peo-
pie be let 90 into the wilderness to hold
a fast to their god
And what did Pharaoh say" several
voices demanded in chorus. but before
answer could be made the attention Of
all was directed to a man who at that
moment entered the city. As he passed
the group the excitement mirrored in
the faces there. or the intent stare with
which his movements were followed. i'm
pelled him TO stop.
What's in the wind?' he inquired.
why YOU look as solemn and concerned
rs though the sacred bull was dead. or
Osiris had forgotten to shine upon
Egypt"
Well. it's quite as bad one OF the
group replied. for the Hebrew hories
in Goshen have broken forth and are
pillagins the land"
The stranger greeted this bit of news
with loud guffaw and cIapped his
hands on his knees in the excess of his
amusement
When did YOU learn to be frightened
At shadow" at last he managed to ask
between his bursts of laughter. The
Hebrews are swarming over the Land. all
right. but they're doing nothing worse
than clearing the stubble from the fields.
Have you not heard of Pharaoh's latest
order, It's a dry BIT OF humor.'
Tell u.s. tell us was the eager cry
Of a dozen voices.
When they asked to go into the
wilderness he told them that they must
be idle to have time to think about such
things. and has ordered that no more
straw be given them for the making Of
bricks. And for this reason they are
scattered over tho land searching for
the stubble"
Are you certain OF this thing ques-
TONED the nervous individual. not quite
satisfied
Certainly" sharply reioined the
stranger. have not just come from
Goshen
Why. if it isn't Akhoris.- - exclaimed
an individual who az that moment
stepped up TO the group. and who
pressed his way through the crowd and
greeted the stranger How about these
disturbing reports" he asked. Il was
in hopes that some OF you ovsrseers
would be coming in TO Memphis"
Nothing in them. Mykerinus. as
have been telling these men here And
he went on 10 repeat his story.
As thought. - responded Mykerinus
when Akhoris had finished. This per
haps will be a lesson to Moses and Aaron
not To meddle in the affairs of the
Hebrews. and will teach the latter not
10 listen to their misguided leaders"
Exactly Akhoris replied. And the
two left the group and passed on up the
street 4 tell YOU Nykerinus the Off
GERS OF these people are learning a les
son or two these days. Gave one fellow
a beating last night before left for
Memphis. which ne won't forget in
hurry. and I only ceased when he had
called down all the curses of the Egyp-
tians upon the heads Of Moses and Aaron.
You see when the people do not supply
the usual tale OF brick we hold the
Hebrew officers over them accountable.
and they are beginning to learn that the
efforts of Moses and Aaron in their be-
half are multiplying their troubles in
stead Of tightening them"
But fear one result of driving the
people broadcast over the land"
What is that, 1t certa- MY will be
a good thing getting the fields cleared
of stabble."
True, but as the Hebrews 20
throughout the land Of Egypt they
will come to realize their strength
Of numbers and will learn the secrets
of the land and its wealth, and. fur
thermore. they will by their great dis
tress and miserable condition win the
sympathy of the people. Pharaoh,
as you know, is as much hated as
feared by the lower casts. 1t is the
priestly power and the solliers which
maintain his throne. Is is not peril
Gus. therefore. to cause there Hebrews
to scatter thus over the face of the
country"
There is some truth in what you
say. in fact the business which brings
me to Memphis has somewhat to do
with this phase of the matter. II
seems that the princess Who years
ago reared and educated Moses. and
showed kndnesses unto his people,
has left strong following Of infiu-
entail people, both among the mem