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

with color of promise. The fronds
of fern and palm stirred to the land
breeze. went down to my surf bath
and breakfast with an almost buoyant
step.
A half hour after my return, whom
l turned to look at the jungle edge, 3
sight greeted me which demonstrated
the decision the natives that our In
tercourse was not so soon to become
a closed incident.
This time, however, their coming
was characterized by a moro gratify-
ing element of respect. They swarMed
out of the bush not in paltry dosens
nor scores, but in their panoplied hun
dreds. Gorgeously decked chiefs and
the club-bearing warriors smeared
ing satisfying interval between their
position and mine. .,sa ...
With great and conspicuous show Of
peace, the warriors discarded their
spears and. shields and raised their
Meapunless hands for me to bUhold
as looked down from my high place.
Their white haired king broke a
spear, gazing up at me the while, then
dropping the pieces, kne't and bowed
his slanting forehead 20 the sands.
At his back bent the pr,ests, trail
ing their bright feathers in he dust.
No one could misunderstood their
pantomime. Men Of their tribe had
offended the deities. A nation had
come in humility and supplication for
forgiveness.
While they made obeisance IN re-
lays, a group Of young men approach
ed the priests, bearing armfuls Of or
chids. The king AMI priests and or
child bearers moved forward for few
stops and halted, gazing up uquiring-
iy at me. This performIr e Wa: ;cv-
c;hl times repeated before under
stood that they were seeking my con-
sent to approach nearer.
Then bowed and pointeI Inward
A rigorous order of precedence was
observed, the aged king keeping his
pace at thir head and h, followers
t.eir positions of relative rank.
The weight of his year, mado the
royal steps so slow that the colorfuI
pageant crept like an army- of srails.
Often it halted and fell to its knees,
awaiting my renewed permission to
advance.
Meantime, from the throats of the
masses rose a weird and cultural
chant.
Suddenly It dawned upon me that
If I were to be god receiving del
egation Of mortals l should receive it
in some suitable degree of state. They
were sending to me the mightiest men
of their village. The k,nlky head Of
their king was abased. Aged Merlins
were coming on their marrowboncs,
resplendently trailing their feathered
finery along the white and fiaring
sands.
stood awaiting them at the ravel-
ed, mud-smearcI :attSrs Of what had
once been a suit of most unostenta-
tious pajamas. Th" thing seemed un-
fit.
Evidently these folk Inclined to the
plicity would be lost on them. Their
pageant should be met with pageant
ry. There had been some who had
doubted and denied me. OF sure
ty, if / were TO play this nabob from
the skies, If were to turn the averted
tragedy into a screaming farce. it was
my duty to dress the part.
With signal of raised hands I Sig
niied that they were to await my re-
appearance. Then I bowed with pro-
found dignity. and. stepping from
their view, disappeared. A few min
utes later I emerged from my cave a
transformed being.
| I was no longer the derelict Of rags
and tatters. Mine was the spulelt
splendor of high mandarin of China
About my feyer-wasted frame fell and
tapped the gorgeous folds OF tho EN-
broidered klmono. In my hands car
ried violin and bow.
1t was true was unshaVea, ans
through holes in my canvas shoes
protruded eight Or ten tees; bat what
mortal can asstqae to crItfoiso such
eccentrioities as may be the part OF
| Godhood?
When took my stand once more
On my pedestal Of mountain 1 found
them still patiently awaiting my nod
The sun fell resplendently on my sill
yer storks and gold dragons ana SILK
poppies. The lessening land breeze
fluttered the embroidery crusted folds
and set up thousand reflections.
listened with satisfaction TO the In
coherent sound that went up from
many throats-a chorused gasp ol
profound awe and admiration ant
wonderment.
signaled my immortal readiness Il
receive them. r
AS the ludicrousness of the fares
broke over me / had to bite back un
solumn roars of laughter. A spirit o.