Problem: CHAPTER XI.

DETERIORATION OF CHARACTER.

B.C. 329

Alexander at the summit of his ambition.--Sad changes.--Alexander becomes dissipated.--His officers became estranged.--Character of Parmenio.--His services to Alexander.--Parmenio's son, Philotas.--His dissolute character.--Conspiracies.--Plot of Dymnus.--Dymnus destroys himself.--Philotas suspected.--The council of officers.--Philotas accused.--Arrest of Philotas.--The body of Dymnus.--Alexander's address to the army.--Philotas brought to trial.--Defense of Philotas.--He is put to the torture.--Confession of Philotas.--He is stoned to death.--Parmenio condemned to death.--Mission of Polydamas.--Precautions.--Brutal murder of Parmenio.--Story of Clitus.--He saves Alexander's life.--Services of Clitus.--Occurrences at the banquet.--Clitus reproaches Alexander.--Alexander's rage.--Alexander assassinates Clitus.--His remorse.

Alexander was now twenty-six years of age. He had accomplished fully the great objects which had been the aim of his ambition. Darius was dead, and he was himself the undisputed master of all western Asia. His wealth was almost boundless. His power was supreme over what was, in his view, the whole known world. But, during the process of rising to this ascendency, his character was sadly changed. He lost the simplicity, the temperance, the moderation, and the sense of justice which characterized his early years. He adopted the dress and the luxurious manners of the Persians. He lived in the palaces of the Persian kings, imitating all their state and splendor. He became very fond of convivial entertainments and of wine, and often drank to excess. He provided himself a seraglio of three hundred and sixty young females, in whose company he spent his time, giving himself up to every form of effeminacy and dissipation. In a word, he was no longer the same man. The decision, the energy of character, the steady pursuit of great ends by prudence, forethought, patient effort, and self-denial, all disappeared; nothing now seemed to interest him but banquets, carousals, parties of pleasure, and whole days and nights spent in dissipation and vice.
1. Who was successful?
2. WHat was his name?
3. Had anyone stood in his way?
4. Who?
5. Did he defeat this obstacle?
6. Did his victories alter him in any way?
7. How so?
8. Was there a culture he particularly admired?
9. Did he stay in his homeland?
10. Where did he go live?
11. Did he live a simple life there?
12. Did he like big celebrations?
13. What was one thing he did at those events?
14. Did he stay faithful to one woman?
15. How many women did he keep around?
16. Did he keep working hard?
17. What did he do instead?
18. How old was he at this time?
19. WHat did he accomplish before all of these changes?
20. Did he have any real rivals?
Answer: 1. He had accomplished fully the great objects
2. Alexander
3. Yes
4. Darius
5. Yes
6. Yes
7. He lost the simplicity, the temperance, the moderation, and the sense of justice which characterized his early year
8. Yes the Persians
9. unknown
10. lived in the palaces of the Persian kings
11. No
12. Yes
13. Often drank to excess
14. no
15. Three hundred and sixty young females
16. No
17. Parties of pleasure
18. twenty-six years of age
19. himself the undisputed master of all western Asia
20. Darius

Problem: CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE RIVAL AUCTIONEERS.

It may well be imagined that Matt read Ida Bartlett's letter with great interest. The young auctioneer had never received a communication as surprising as was this one.

He went over every word carefully several times, then placed the letter in his pocket, and started off to find Andy.

Half an hour later he came across his partner on the main street. Andy had just rented a store, one of two vacant ones which were side by side, and was now on his way to drive the wagon around and unload the stock.

"Well, did you get a letter, Matt?"

"I did."

"Good enough. Any special news?"

"Yes, indeed. Just read that."

And the young auctioneer passed the communication over for his partner's perusal.

Andy read the letter as carefully as had Matt. He emitted a long, low whistle.

"What do you think of it?"

"I hardly know what to think, Matt. Do you know anything about this mining share business?"

"I know that Randolph Fenton sold my father some shares, that is all. I never saw the certificates, if that is what they are called."

"Did you ever see the papers in connection with the shares?"

"No."

"Then they must have been in your father's possession when he disappeared."

"I don't know about that. Mother might have had them when father was first sent to the asylum for treatment. Although I remember hearing her once say that since father's mind had become affected he would not trust any one with his affairs, but kept all his money and papers hidden away."
1. Who sold some shares?
2. To whom?
3. What did Matt fail to see?
4. What else did he not see?
5. Where was the father sent?
6. Why?
7. What did the father hide?
8. Was he distrustful of people?
9. What did Matt read?
10. Written by whom?
11. How did he read it?
12. What was Matt's profession?
13. Where did he put the letter?
14. Who did he want to locate?
15. What had Andy rented?
16. Had it been vacant?
17. How many vacant stores had there been?
18. How were they situated in regards to one another?
19. What did Andy do after reading the letter?
20. What did he ask Matt if he knew something about?
Answer:
1. Randolph Fenton
2. Matt's father
3. The certificates
4. The papers in connection with the shares
5. To the asylum
6. For treatment.
7. His money and papers
8. Yes
9. A letter
10. Ida Bartlett's
11. With great interest
12. Auctioneer
13. In his pocket
14. Andy
15. A store
16. Yes
17. Two
18. Side by side
19. He whistled
20. About this mining share business