The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1909-09-16
The Prediction
Of the Straws
BY Robert 3. MaoBartoo

At the foot of the snow-capped
mountains Of Himalaya there was once
. town called Kusalassa.
It was two score yojanas from the
great realm of Kapilavastu. A wild
town 1t was, with few occupations
other than those of hunting and agri-
culture. A few there were who re-
tained some religion, but they were,
In way, stunned.
These few, numbering about five
score, lived by themselves at one end
Of the town, had their grain fields con-
solidated into one, and every harvest
time would go forth and cut the rice,
which would be distributed as equally
as possible among themselves.
Gradually these people moved far
ther away from Kusalassa and the
wild people took possession of their
deserted fields. Then there were
skirmishes between the two parties,
and once or twice a man was killed,
but they thought nothing of that. The
raiders were called Sabbas, and at
first disliked the appellation, but as
time wore on they came to rejoice in
1t and, out of spite, termed their enc
mics Kusalassas.
Now, the skirmishes became more
frequent and bloody, till finally there
occurred real battle, in which ar
row and sword did such good service
that one-fourth of the Sabbas and one
third of the Kusalassas lost their lives
but the latter, though outnumbered,
won.
After the battle there was great re-
joicing in the village of the Kusa-
lassas.
The smell of altar and savory
dishes was everywhere to be noticed
Before the image of Ganesha, the chief
deity of these people, stood red ram
awaiting the butchers knife. The
crowd of anxious spectators watched
intently as the priest-butcher ap-
preached, silver-handled knife in his
hand. Then the incense arose more
strongly, and there were cries to Gan
esha to accept the sacrifice.
Suddenly from those about the i'm
age there came two people, man and
q woman. The woman, in black attire,
her. head covered with q veil, chung
to the mans arm.
The man, carrying short sword
made of talas wood, stepped up to the
priest and said in a steady voice: "Oh,
priest! Before thou slayest Mesha,
the ram, would say that have come
hither to wed Sulangana, whom thou
seest by my side We promised three
moons ago to wed after should have
slain q Sabba The battle of to-day
has brought our wishes to fruition."
Then many more stepped forward.
bearing sweet cakes and bags of grain
and one had bowl Of milk.
The moon was rising, casting its
silvery light over the piles of dead
ON the field of battle.
It seemed to have been premedi-
tated, for every one had something for
the bride and groom.
A feast was soon spread, the guests
seated and the red rams throat slit.
The priest caught the blood and sprin.
kled it upon the surface of the milk.
Then two rice straws were produced
and dropped upon the REDEEMED liquor.
| Sulangana, and her future husband,
named Devatang, watched the straws
anxiously, for If they met 1t signified
! love till death. A shower of rice was
sprinkled over the floor of the house
of Ganesha.
Now the fateful moment was al
hand.
! The straws foated ever nearer ia
each other, but they floated slowly. A
breeze from the doorway, and just as
the two straws were about to touch
they were blown wide apart. A stifled
scream from Sulangana, groan from
Deyatang. a murmur from the guests