Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-26

Long long years ago. in the "Once
upon a time" period there was a king
called Minos. He was king of Crete
and made war on Megara Nisus was
king of Megara and he had a daughter
named Scylia. The siege lasted six
months, and the oracle had said that
Megara would not be taken as long as
a purple lock shone on the head of
the king The army of Minos was en-
camped in the plain surrounding the
city and was in sight of any one oc-
cupying the tower on the city walls.
Scylla used to go to their tower and
gaze at the tents of the enemy, and
in the long, long siege she had learn
ed to distinguish the form of Minos and
his leaders. The splendid bearing and
fine armor of Minos won her admira-
tion and the grace and skill that he
displayed made her often say that
Apollo himself could not do better.
But 1t was when he laid aside his shield
and helmet and in purple robes rode
his white horse in its gay trappings
that her heart was almost beside it
self often as she sat in the tower and
watched this enemy of her fathers and
Of her city. she would say to her
self: Il know not how to ask the
gods to terminate this sad war 1
only know that 1 grieve over Minos
anything that brings him before me.
Perhaps he is as tired of this war as
l am and would accept me as hostage.
| would fly to him If l could and tell
him that we yielded ourselves to his
mercy. But that would betray my
father, and that would be wrong, bet
ter for me never to see Minos again"
Another time she would say, II be-
lieve Minos to be kind and generous. 1t
might be better for the city to be con-
quered, for in the end that will be our
fate Why should not love unbar the
gates to him? / will surrender myself
to him, with my country as dowry
and put an end to this, terrible war.
Time after time she dallied with such
thoughts and in the end she began to
wonder how she could manage the af-
fair. The gates were guarded and her
father had the keys. She then began
to wonder why the gods let her father
live, you see how one can cherish evil
till II wipes the good thoughts out OF
the mind. Her father was in her way
and she then began. to wish the gods
would destroy him; next, she was willing
to do it herself. II only need my faith
ers purple lock Of hair" she said at
last, land that will give me all that l
ask"
Inc next step was SOOU ldhSH' DiiO
resolved to slip into her fathers room
and cut off the purple lock. After she
had done that treacherous deed she pass
ed out of the city and was soon in the
camp of the enemy. Led to the king.
she said Il am, Scylla, the daughter
of Nisus, 1 surrender to you my coun-
try and my fathers house. See this
purple lock, with this 1 give you my
father and his kingdom" She held out
the fatal spoil, but Minos shrank from
her. he refused to toech' it, r.
1.-The gods destroy thee, thou infa-
nous woman" he exclaimed. Thou art
"a disgrace to our times, may neither
earth nor sea yield thee resting place.
Surely my Crete, where Jove himself
was Graded, shall not be polluted with
such a monster"
Then he gave orders that the conquer
ed city should have equitable terms and
that the fleet should Immediately sail
from the island. Scylla was frantic. us
this your gratitude she exclaimed.
"Will you thus leave me? me who gave
you this victory. l confess that 1 am
guilty of a great crime, but you have
profited by it and you shall not leave
me thus" She seized the rudder of
the ship that Minos was in and was
borne an unwelcome companion on their
journey. A sea-eagle was soaring aloft
and seeing her, he bounced upon her with
beak and claws. 1t was her father who
the gods had changed into an eagle and
as Scylla fell into the water some pity
ing deity changed her into bird. The
eagle still cherishes all the old ami
mostly and whenever he spies her from
his lofty height he swoops down and