The Mena weekly star., 1918-05-02

asking for it's publication. was enf'
 Sitting one night by the freside, gazing into the depths of the glowing coals-and thinking of the many khinvs pertaining to the W. fare of our club (among others he Arkansas Day), the immediate sur roundings appeared to fade away into the dim distance, and the voices m the room had far-oif sound, until l seemed to be transported away from the things of sense into the realms of fancy. In this vision that was vou- chasfed me l beheld the figure of a woman like unto Michael Angelo's Cumaen Sibyl, with a scroll in h,r hand, partially unrolled.
 At first I was afraid, but the Sibyl for such she seemed, fixing her pierc- ing eyes upon me, said: Fear not, child of mortality, but ask of ne whatever is in thy heart" To which, after a moments hesitation, ex- claimed "rell me something of the future of the state of my adoption. Arkansas"
 When the seeress, with a wave of her hand replied: Look and what thou beholdest write down for the en- couragement of others"
 Suddenly I was held spell-bourd by the vision of delight was permit ted to gaze upon. For all at once a stately procession came into view, like unto that of the ancient Grecian matrons and maidens when they went in grand triumphal march to the temple of Pallas Athene with votive offerings of fruit, and with garlands of flowers. This my prophecies told me was the grand onward march of the States. First, thirteen statvis figures with heads held high--as if they were not afraid of having their family tree scrutinized, for were they not the first Colonial Dames"--and Daughters of the American Reyo- Iution?" These were followea by others, who, if not quite so pro a of mien, showed by their bearing that they, too, could boast of goodly heritage. They tolj of mucn that had been endued, of mountains crossed, of rivers forded and wire in . soil subdued in pioneer days; for tn, St were the states west of the Allegna- nies and of the Mississippi valley. Among the number was maiden who skinned along rather than walked. and who attracted attention by h r beauty of face and her poetry of motion. On her head was a wreath of apple blossoms, around her neck a chain of pearls, and on her hands and arms diamonds from her own mines, which rival those of Kimbelley Africa. In her right hand she carried the great emblem of the union of the states and in her left hand banner emblazoned with her seal and on it the motto; "Populi Regnant" "The People Rule"
 I needed no word from my Sibyl to tell me this lovely maiden represented our much loved Arkansas, and could
 ave been granted my wish l would have halted the procession that might gaze longer on her iovlinrss But future progress must not be stopped to aatisfy selfish enjoyment, so l was fain to find pleasure m ccr- templating the remainder of this im- posing pageant of the states, ,.lng in a bevy of young girls dancing along and rejoicing in thelr youth ani in the hope of future prosperity.
 The last figure in the procession having faded into the distance, al was silence until I again turned to my quiet companion, who sat motion less and seemed as mysterious as the sphinx and addressed her in these words.
 "Oh Revealer of the Future, what thou hast shown me is but fore taste of what 1 would know Reveal to me, pray thee, something that is in store for this gem among the states, our beloved Arkansas" Again with wave of her hand, she pre- sented to my view a scene rivaling anything depicted in the Arabian Nights, or summoned up by the genii of old. beheld fertile fields of grain, ripe for the harvest, which seemed to cause the words of the Pslamist to be- come a reality "The valleys stand so thick with corn that they laugh and sing"
 Looking in another direction, beau fiful expanses, snowy white, met my ssze-and in these fields dusky fig ures were busy robbing the plants of their soft robes, chanting as they worked some old plantation melody. The dwellings and other buildings in Ehe fruitful valleys and undulating hills testified to the success that had crowned the labors of the husband man, and I could but hope, in order that the picture might be altogether perfect, that these prosperous ones had given heed to the words of the proverb: Honor the Lord with thy substance. and with the first fruits of sll thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty. and thy presses burst out with new wine." =
 I was next shown where the pine clad mountains and foothills were yielding up their abundant stores of zinc, lead and manganese, with small- CT quantities of gold and silver.
 In the purple distance beheld the rivers of the state, winding toward the Father of Waters in picturesque beauty, all making fertile the lands along their banks, and some yielding valuable pearls.