New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-06

omen plumbin. and stained glass windows thrown m;
providin OF course, she was wlln to swap the soma
GOLD pawn for the best mosaic thin turned out IN
Trenton y. ]. And Zapira, who cared more tor her
ancient religion than for all the gold YOU could load on
train of coal cars, said she was perfectly willn Tiles
for her every tirne ~ .
(Which brings us says Professor Wicks'. ITO the
humble but somewhat essential part | am asking YOU
TO take in this noble enterprise Thanks to my untlrng
efforts | have been able to interest number OF m
fucntia men of affairs in plans tor restoring the
temple Of Lamma-Lu and OF rcvN1ng a religion whose
origin has been lost in the rnstS OF prehistoric ages.
This very night of them will gather to witness
the Prestcss Zapra go through those ancient rites.
Here in the midst OF this wicked city she has set up her
altar 10 that deity whom primitive man hrSt honored
with his crude homagc-to the great round sun. She
demands a cupbcarcr an acolye; but he must be a
child Of the SUM- golden haired one, like herself None
other will answer. And you, young man-wel-
II see says l. takin of my straw Id to let HIM have
a good view Il ought to qualify in the finals, ch?'
"You do" saws he. And you'll Gomez?
Well there | dead up against 1t. Course, It was
a weird proposition to have sprung on you, right on
Broadway Of a Saturday afternoon, this tale OF old
Spaniards, and ruined temples and prcstcss from
Peru And | expect, if Id been better posted along
them lines. Id have done the suspicious duck; but,
hcarin Professor WiCks tell 1t all straight and earnest
and ben some curious about this altar stunt-well' |
Eight forty-fye eh?" says I. Gimme the number,
and III be there.
district. either It's the first floor suite Of a swell
boardin house up in the 10s with neat dressed maid
on the door And when I'm towcd in to Professor WiCkS
find him got up in full open face evcnin clothes. Hes
busy arrangin a bunch OF long Stcmmcd roses in tall
vase and pacn the chairs around in Scmcircc iaCin
the curtain that shuts off the back parlor
well, Profess says l. you see lmrnnin on schcd.
"SS-s-shl" says he. givn the soft pedal sign The
PricstcsS Zapira has entered the sacred silence while
the incense burns the altar Softly, now, softly!
Here are the VcSments Of your office.
With that he Tugs out what looks like white cotton
mighty with long flown sleeves edged with three inches
Of bright red ribbon When he's dropped that over my
head and tied it tight above my collar he picks up a
gilt medal cut out to look like a sunburs and Grapes
1t around my neck like chest protector Next he
takes a comb and fuffs ont my red hair, and as Al
inishin' touch he hands me a brass bowl about the
size Of a wash basin.
"Gcc." ! whispers, gcttn' glimpse in the pier glass
I'm all dolcd up now, amt ~
you attircd BELTS who attends the
Pricstcs Zapira before the altar Of the lncas SAYS
Wicks solemn and serious. Now prepare yourself To
enter the presence and receive instruction in your
duties.
Oh, you smoker now but YOU amt gcttin' the
full effects Of that dim light and the drawn curtains,
and all the rest. Honest 1t had my knees wabbly,
and when he calls out low and husky 80 Zapira, the
acolytc awaits your peasurel' | was swallowin hard
and gettn dry in the throat.
Come says a voice behind the curtain and WlckS
grabs me by the hand and drags me in.