Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-01-06

But It had been noised abroad,
through the whole extent of Ethiopia
and through the neighboring king
doms that Balthaser was no longer in
love with Balkis.
When the news reached Sheba, Bal
kis resented it bitterly. She com
manded her grand vizier to get every
thing ready for journey to Ethiopia,
1--WE shall start this very night"
she said. land thou shalt lose thy
head If everything is not ready before
the sun sinks to rest"
And when she was alone she burst
into sobs.
81 love him and he loves me not"
she cried in all sincerity.
Then one night Balthasar. who was
on the top of his tower, observing the
miraculous star, saw on looking dowr
toward the earth, long black line
winding along the sands of the desert
like an army of ants.
AS the caravan came nearer Baltha
sar saw distinctly the bright scimitars
and the black horses of the queens
guards.
Then he saw her also; and he was
troubled amazingly, and he felt thai
he was going to love her again. The
star was shining in the zenith with
marvellous brilliancy. Beneath. Balkis
in her litter of purple and gold, looked
quite small, and she also shone like
star.
Balthasar felt drawn toward her as
If by some irresistible force. But.
turning his face from her with great
effort and lifting up his eyes, he saw
the star again, and the star spoke and
said:
GLORY to God in the highest, and
peace on earth to men of good will!
Take thou a measure of myrrh
sweet King Balthasar, and follow me,
and | shall lead thee to the Child who
has Just been born in stable between
a donkey and an OK.
For that Child is the King oil
Kings, and he will comfort those who
wish to be comforted.
HE calls thee, Balthasar. whose
mind is still as dark as thy visage, but
whose heart is simple, even as the
heart of child.
HE has chosen thee because thor
hast suffered, and he will give thee
riches. joy and love.
He will say to thee: be poor ant
rejoice in thy poverty. for that Is in
deed true riches. He will say: true
joy lies in the remuneration of joy
love me and love men because OF me
for l am the only true love-"
At these words peace divine shont
like a bright light on the dark face
of the king.
Queen Balkis. looking up towart
Balthasar, knew that no love for hel
could fill that heart now full of love
divine, and. turning. sho ordered hel
caravan back to Sheba.
When the star ceased to speak tht
king and his two companions came
down from the tower, and having pro
cured measure of myrrh, they form
ed a caravan and followed the sta
which went before them.
One day, being at a place wher'
three roads met, they saw two king
who were coming with long trains O
followers. One of them was youni
and white of face. He greeted Balths
sar and said:
MY name ia Gaspar; am a kin
and am taking present of gold I
the Child who has been born in Betl
lehem of Judea."
The second king also approached
He was an old man and his whit
beard flowed to his girdle.
MY name is Melchior," he said.
am a king and l am taking a preser
of frankincense to the Divine Chill
who has come to teach truth to men.
81 am going thither Also" sal
Balthasar; Il have vanquished my lui
and therefore did the star speak unit
me-"
81" said Melchoir, have vanquishe
my pride and therefore was / called
81" said Casper, have vanquishe
my cruelty and therefore do l go wit
you"
And, 10, the star which they saw
the east went before them till 1t can
and stood over where the young Chi
was.
When they saw the star they r
joiced with exceeding great Joy.
And when they were come into Il
house they saw the young Child Wi
Mary his mother. and fell down al
worshiped him; and when they b;
opened their treasures they presents
unto him gifts: gold, and franki