The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-12-23
OPTZMO.

Ows OF LIES evening are being drawn closer and
still closer around and about us. Verify friend Mel
choir. l go with you; and as for our young friend
and pupil, Caspar. bid him hearty and sincere
welcome as fellow traveller proposed trip
Well and truly spoken, friend Belthazar"
said Melchoir, and 1 most heartily join with you
in welcoming young Caspar a companion our
uncertain journey. And let us lose no time,
but at once begin preparations for the pilgrim
age. Caspar, you much younger than either
Belthazar myself, therefore you shall be to
and legs. and while your sturdy build, and the
ruddy glow of youth and health giveth you hand
some appearance yet Handsome Is as handsome
does, do you therefore, it that the stable boys
have our dromedaries ready at early hour of the
morning. Fortunately We have but little to do to
make ready, therefore, the Star is situated
far to the west of will, the morrow journey
westward, getting bearings afresh the NOR
rows eve, when again the guiding Star will appear
in the heavens it; perchance it will
be visible during the daylight hours even as Zoroas
ter has predicted, in which event the rapidity of
progress will be governed principally by the en-
durance of our mounts
Caspar, with the blood racing thru his veins
and his eyes sparkling with excitement, fastened to
do Mechor's bidding regarding the preparation for
the early start for-Where Do we of today deem
them foolish to attempt to follow the cradle
of babe? What more definite data had Columbus,
when he vouchsafed the perilous journey across
charted seas? What more encouragement had David
friend Henry M. Stanley, who followed in his dis
astrous wake? Avaunt! you who hurl your epithets,
and fling your invective at the Christian body! DO
you say Christianity is an enemy to progress?" Col
umbus Christian gentleman. and 1t he. if
you please who discovered rich and fertile country
and no sooner had he set foot this new territory
than the Cross of Christ was implanted in the soil
thereof. Livingston and Stanley, Christian gen.
temen, BOTH carried the Glad tidings of great joy'
to the benighted hottento thus, and in other ways
putting their shoulders to the wheels of the chariot
of progress and becoming Christian Martyrs to the
cause of advancement. Even so the Wise Men of
Persia, whose religion nearly like the
Jewish faith than was the creed or religion of any
other nation of the world at that time, with their
ability astrologers encouraged to undertake
the journey to the where prophets Of old had said
new born King would be found.
Caspar, having faithfully performed his present
duties and having arranged the few things necessary
for the coming trip returned the roof of the school
building for last good look the glowing planets,
and their blazing neighbor, before he retired for the
night He at last reluctantly withdrew from the in
spring and repairing to his room lay himself
down to physical rest but not to slunlber The por
tentuous events of the evening had quickened his
mind that Morpheus could not by his occult power
subjugate it slumber. AS the first faint streaks
of light diffused the Eastern sky, Caspar astir
but early he he found Mechoir and Belthazar,
already up and preparing for the journey. Caspar
stable boys arrange the Announcements of the drome
daries so that there need be no delay in starting
Mechor, and Belthazar, with the wisdom born of
age and experience, ate slowly and heartily.
knowing they would have need of much strength if
they would endure the journey upon which they
were about to embark finally they were ready for
the start and long the Solar Queen had bestow-
ed upon waking world her morning greeting, they
had babe their last adeiu, and were off their
STIR nge journey. And as they follow the guiding
1ab To- fho hnou0 hove
and before Them we will find another scene being
enacted in far off Judea that will engage our at
teution for time.
In the fields beside the various roads leading
into Bethlehem. the shepherds had been interested
lockers on as the many bodies of people made their
way thither. They had seen Joseph, and Mary, pass
by, Joseph walking beside the ass upon which Mary
was seated We infer that was the animal
ridden because horses not in general use. The