Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-07-22

informed them in words which
were new only to them and solemn
only to them that I had rings on my
fingers and bells on my toes, and as /
sung they became hushed with awe
and approached with deeply moved
sense Of their great honor and re-
sponsibility.
When they were only a little way
off l went down to meet them, and
with a condescension which I trusted
would not injure my prestige lifted
the aged chieftain to his feet and per
mitted him to walk.
He, however, remained deferential-
ly two PAGES in the rear. 1t was evil
dent from their straining, upward
gaze that, deeply as they were moved
to reverence by my own exalted spec
tacle, there was some greater revela'
tion which they awaited above. This
disquieted me, since had in reserve
no climax to offer.
had given them a display savoring
of the circus, but had no grand spec
taclo to advertise in the main tent af-
tor tho regular performance.
When we had reached the plateau,
however, understood and was re-
ueyed. To me they had come kneel-
Ing, but before her portrait they
threw themselves on their faces and
srovoled.
They sprinkled sand and pebbles
upon thir hair, and their voices, even
to me who understood no syllable,
carried such depth Of humility and
supplication as filled mo with wonder.
They would rise from their suppl.
ancs only long enough to glance at
the face Of the picture, then fall again
and renew their paroxysms OF ungain.
ly prayer. From the hands of tho or.
child bearers they took the heaps of
blooms and piled them at distance
from the shrine.
The young men who had been so
signally honored, and who had now
performed their mission, backed away
in slow, crab-like withdrawal from
the holy Of holies. Only the high
priests and the king were left with
me in the sacred area.
For time I stood dumbly looking
on. then the idea percolated into my
confused understanding. realized
that, at best, / was only demigod,
perhaps sort Of super-high priest,
httt ond Thncn aro,ha nv
traordinary had come not to me, but
to the lady of the portrait.
lifted up my voice for attention,
and from their l1neeling posture they
regarded me with grave reverence. !
took my place with bowed head be-
fore the portrait, and addressed the
lady in tones of deep so1emnity. 1t
seemed to me that her delicate mouth
line quivered with amusement as
though she and / had between US a
delicious secret.
Frances! Frances! Frances!" !
declaimed with the deep profundity of
a ritual. 81 have failed totally and
signally at the god job. There Is, i'll
all this world Of sky and sea, and OF
my heart, but one deity. 1t was you
who struck down with a thunderboll
the sacrilegious, false priest. It was
you who saved me from death and
raised me to the high estate Of your
vioe-gerent."
paused, and went on more serious.
ly:
"It is you whom these people wor.
ship with idolatry-and of them all
none worships you so wholly as l.
your priest!"
And though was deciaiming before
lifeless image to impress ignorant
cannibalse, 1 meant it.
When I had finishd there arose q
devout murmur from the blacks, and
with motion to them TO remain,
went into the cave and came out
again with the small Japanese burner
and tapier of incense. AS the heavy
fragrance of the burning stuff spread
itself upon the air their wonder grew
and fantastic idea occurred to me.
In college days l had been, in a
very poor and amateurisn style, a
ventriloquist. For years l had not ex
perimented with the trick, but now
as they all lay prostrated before the
image of the new deity, the notion
possessed me of making a trial. The
silence on the plateau was absolute
Ny head was bowed. my face averted
from the visitors. Seemingly from
the lips Of the portrait issued an as
surance Of accepted worship.
1t was a vague and non-committal
stterance. but the oracle never speaks
distinctly. Men must be satisfied with
portentous mumblings. Instantly the
frightened, awed faces were raised
I Also stood upright and shouted tri
umHhantly. Their prayers were an
swered. The powers were propItiat
ed
I wheeled and pointed back to tn,
Jungle. Slowly, reluctantly, but with
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