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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 2, 1896)
TIIT3 OMAHA DAILY SUNDAY , 2 , 1800. BY II. RIDER HAGGARD. Ainuon or "Sin , " AIUN QUAURMAIV , " "wsc SOLOMOVS MIMS , " cic. ( Copyright , HOO , l.y . It. Ill l r CHAPTKR I. TIIll DISPUTATION. tlos tlio ago of miracles gene by or Is It RUM possible to the \olco of faltli calling nluud upon tlio cnrth to wring from the dumb heavens nn ntiilllilo answer to Its prayer ? Docs tbc promise uttered by thn master of mnnklnd upon tlio eve of tlie end : "Who EO that bellcvplK In me , the works do also * * * and that I do ho shnll whatsoever > c shall ask In 'my name , that will I do , " Btlll hold good to such as < lo ask and do believe ? Let thoao who study the history of llcv. Thomas 0\\cn and of that strange man that catrlcd on and completed Ills work answer this question according to their Judgment. The time was n Sunday afternoon in summer , and the place a church In the midland - land counties. It was a beautiful church , nnclcnt and spacious ; moreover , It had re cently been restored at great cost ; 700 or 800 people could have found sittings In It , and doubtless they had done so when IJuss- roinbo was a largo manufacturing town , be fore the failure of the coal supply and other causes drove nwny Its trade. Now It was much what It had been In the time of the NormaiiH , a little agricultural village with a population or 300 souls. Out of this population , Including the choir boys , ex actly thlrty-nlno had elected to attend church on this paitlcular Sunday ; and of these , three were fast asleep and four were dozing. Hov. Thomas Owen counted them from his seat In the chancel , for another clergyman was preaching ; and , as he counted , blttcincsM and disappointment took hold of htm. The preacher was a "Deputa tion , " sent by ono of the large missionary societies to arouse the Indifferent to a sense of their duty toward their unconverted black brethren In Africa , and Incidentally to collect cash to ho spent In the conversion of the said brethren , llev , Thomas Owen had himself suggested the visit of the Deputation and labored hard to secure him a good audience. Hut ttw beauty of the weather , or terror of the Inevitable sub scription , had prevailed against him. Hence his disappointment. "Well , " he thought , with a sigh , " 1 have dona my best , and I must make it up out of my own pocket. " Then ho settled himself to listen to the sermon , The preacher was a battered-looking In dividual of between 50 and CO years of age , gaunt with recent sickness , patient and un imaginative In aspect. Ho preached ex temporaneously with the aid of notes ; and It cannot bo said that his discourse was re markable for Interest , at any rate In its beginning. Doubtless the sparse congrega tion , so prone to slumber , discouraged him ; for offering exhortations to empty benches Is but weary work. Indeed , ho was med itating the advisability of bringing his ar gument to an abrupt conclusion , when , chancing to glance round , ho became aware that liu had at least one sympathetic listener , his host , Uev. Thomas Owen. From that moment the sermon Improved by de grees , till at length It reached a really high level of excellence. Ceasing from rhetoric , the preacher began to tell of his own experiences and sufferings In the cause amongst savage tribes ; for he himself wan a missionary of many'years' standing. He tdld"hbw once ho and n companion had leod sent to a. nation , who named them selves the Sons Of Fire , because tholr god "was the lightning , If Indeed they could bo said to boast any gods other than the Spear and the King. In simple language he nar rated hUv terrible adventures among these savages , the murder of his companion by command , of the Council of Wizards , and his own flight for his life , a tale so Inter esting and vivid that even the bucolic Blcispers awakened and listened open- inouthcd. "But this Is by the way , " ho wont on ; "for my society does not ask you to sub scribe toward the conversion of the Children of Flro. Until that people Is conquered , which very likely will not be for genera tions , seeing that they live In Central Af rica , occupying territory that white men do 7fot desire , no missionary will dare again to visit thorn. " At this moment something caused him to look a second tlmo at Thomas Owen. He Was leaning forward In his place listening eagerly , and a strange light filled the largo , dark eyes that shonu In the pallor of his delicate and nervous face. "Thoro Is a man wlio would daro. If ho wore put to tt , " thought the Deputation to himself/ Then he ended his sermon. That evening the two men sat at dinner In the rectory. It was a very fine rectory , beautifully finished ; for Owen was a man of taste , and had the means to gratify It. Also , although they were alone , the dinner was iood so good that the poor , broken-down missionary , sipping hi ? unaccustomed port , a vintage wine , sighed aloud In admiration and Involuntary envy , ' 'What Is the matter ? " asked Owen. "Nothing , Mr. Owen ; " then , of n sudden \k \ thawing Into candor , he added : "That Is , II "OF ALL OWEN'S SACIUFICKS THIS WAS THE MOST COMPLKTE.1 a- ovprythlng. licaven forgive me ; but I , who a4 ant enjoying your hospitality , am envious of you. Don't think too hardly of mo ; but I have a large family to support , nnd If only you knew what n struggli } my llfo Is , and has been for the last twenty years , you would not , I am sure. Hut you have never experienced II , and could not understand. The laborer la worthy ot his hire.1 Well , my hire Is under two hundred a year , and eight ot us must live or starve on It. And I hnvo worked , ny , until my heart Is broken , A laborer Indeed ! I am a very hodman , a IF pplrltual Sisyphus , And now I must go back Pif to carry my load and roll my stone again nnd again among those hopeless kavnecs till I die of It-till I die of U ! " "At least It la a noble life nnd death ! " exclaimed Owen , a sudden lira of rnthu- ulasm lighting up his dark eyes. "Yes , viewed from a distance. Were you asked to leave this living of two thousand a yenr-rl BCO that I * uhut they put It l In Crpckfprd with Iti English comforts uml etay work , that you might lead that life and attain that death , then you would think Oltfcrently. Hut why should I bore you with auc'U talk ? Thank heaven that your lines nr cast In pleasant place * . Ye.i , plcaso. I vrtH rake one more BU * * | It does inn good. " "Tell n > nome in Are about that tribe you wore peikliiK of In your sermon , the'Sons of Fire. ' I think you called them. " nald Owen , uif ho pushed him the decanter. Ho. with un eloquence Induced by the gen. croun wlnu uud a quickening Imagination , Dm Deputation told him told him inuny ctranKe thing * and terrible. For thU pouplv an awful ptoylo , vigorous in jaind un l j body , and warriors from generation to gen eration , but superstition-ridden and cruel. They lived In the far Interior , some months' Journey by boat nnj ox-wagon from the coast , and ot white men and their ways they knew but little. "How many of them nro there ? " naked On en. "Who can say ? " ho answered. "Nearly half a million , perhaps ; at least they pretend that they can put GO.OOO men under arms. " "And did they treat you badly when jou visited them ? " "Not at first. They received us civilly enough , and on n given day wo were re quested to explain to thu King and the Council of Wizards the religion that we came to teach , All that day we explained and all the next or rather my friend did , Ifor I know very little of the language nnd they listened with great Interest. At Inst the chief of the wizards nnd the first prophet of the king rose to question us , He was named Hokosa , a tall , thin man , with a spiritual face and terrible , calm eyes. " 'You speak well , son ot a whlto man , ' ho said , 'but let us pass from words to deeds. You tell us that this God of yours , whom you desire wo should take as our God , so that you may become his chief prophets In the land , wns n wizard such as wo are , thoug-h greater than wo are , for not only did he know the past nnd the future as we do , but also he could cure those who were smitten with hopeless sickness , and raise those who were dead , which we cannot do. You tell us , moreover , that by faith those who believe on Him can do works as great as ho did , and that you do believe on him. Therefore wo will put you to the proof. Ho ! there , lead forth that evil one. ' "As he spoke a man was placed before us , ono who had been convicted of witch craft or s6mc other crime. " 'Kill him , ' said Hokosa. "There was a falut cry , 'a ' scuffle , a flash , Ing ctt spears , and the man lay still before us. " 'Now , followers of the new 'God , ' said Hokosa , 'raise hint from the dead , as your master did ! ' "In vain did we offer explanations. " 'Peace ! ' said Ilokosa , ut length. 'Your words weary us. Look , now , either you have preached lo us a false God and arc liars , or you ore traitors to the King you preach , since , lacking faith In Htm , you cannot do such works as Ho-gives power to do to those who have faith in Him. Out of your own mouths ore you Judged , white men. Cheese which horn of the bull you will , you hang to ono of them and It shall pierce you. This Is the sentence of the King. I speak It who am the King' ; ) mouth : That you , white man , who have spoken to us these U\o weary days , be put to death , nnd that you , his companion , be driven from the land. ' "I can hardly bear to tell the rest of it , Mr. Owen. They gave my poor friend ten minutes 'to talk to his Spirit , ' then they speaicd him before my face. After It was over , Ilokosa spoke to me , Haying : " 'Go back , whlto man , ' to those who sent you , and tell them the words of the Sons of Flro : That they have listened to the message of peace , and though they bo a people of warriors , yet they thank them for that message , for in Itself it sounds good and beautiful In their cars , If It bo true. Tell them that , having proved you to be liars , they dealt with you as all honest men seek that liars should be dealt with. Tell them that they desire to hear no more ot this matter , and If one can bo sent to them who has no false tongue , who In all things fulfils the promise of his lips , that they will hearken to him and treat him well , but that for such ns you they keep a spear. " "And who went after you got back ? " asked Owen , who was listening with the deepest Interest. "Who went ! Do you suppose that there are many mad clergymen In Africa , Mr , Owen ? Nobody went. " "And yet , " said Owen , speaking more to himself than to his guest , "tho.man Hokosa was right , and the Christian who of a truth believes the promises of our religion should trust them and go. " "Then perhaps you would like to under take the mission , Mr. Owen , " said the Deputation briskly , for the reflection stung him , unintentional as It was. Owen started , "That Is a now Idea , " ho said. "And now perhaps you wish to go to bed. It Is past 11 o'clock. CHAPTER II , THOMAS OWEN. Thomas Owen went to his room , but not to bed. Taking a bible from the table , ho consulted reference after reference. "Tho promise Is clear , " he said aloud presently , as he shut the book , "clear and ottvn repeated , There IB no escape from It , and no possibility of a double meanIng - Ing , If It U not true , then it would seem that nothing la true , and that every Chris tian In the world Is tricked and deluded , Hut if It Is true , why do wo never hear of miracles ? The answer Is easy ; Ilecause we have- not faith enough to work them. The apostles worked miracles , for they had seen , therefore their faith was perfect. Since their day nobody's faith has been quite perfect ; at least I think not. The physical part of our nature prevents It. Or perhaps the miracles stilt happen , hut they aie spiritual miracles , " Then he eat down by the open window , and , gating at the dreamy beauty ot the summer ultfht , ha thought , for bin soul was troubled. Oncn before It had been troubled thin ; that wan ntno yeuin ugo , for be was now but little over 30. Then a call bad como to him , a voice had seemed to speak In hU tars bidding him to lay down great pojjieffilons to follow whither heaven should lead him. Tliomna Owen had obeyed the voice , though , owing to circumstances which need not be detailed , io do BO ho was obliged to renounce his succession to a very larg * estate , and to content himself with a younger son's portion of { 0.009 and the re version to the living- which he bad now held for some live years. Then and there , with ilngulor unanimity and dispatch , hU relations came ( o. th ? rnnoluslon that he wns mad , To this hour , Indeed , those who stand In Ma place and cujoy thn wealth and position that wor < > his by right , speak of him an "podr Thomas , " and mark their disapprobation of Ills peculiar conduct by refusing with nn unvarying steadiness to sulwcrlbo even a shilling in a missionary society. How "poor Tuouias" ( .peaks of Ilium In the plnco where he is wo way won- cler , but as } * t we cannot know probtbly with the gcntlo love and charity that marked his every action upon earth , Dut this Is by tha way. Ho had entered the church , but what had he done In It ? That was the question that he asked himself as he snt this night by the open window , arraigning his past before the Judgment seat of conscience. For three years he had worked hard somewhere In the slums ; then his living had fallen to him. Ho had taken tt , and from that day forward his record was very much ot a blank. The pariah was small and well or dered ; there was little to do In It , and the Salvation army had seized upon and re claimed the three confirmed drunkards It could boast. Ills guest's saying echoed in his brain like the catch of a tune "that you might lead that llfo and attain that death. " Supposing that ho were bidden BO to do now , this very night , would ho In deed "think Indifferently ? " Ho had en tered the church to serve his Maker. How would It bo were that Maker to command that he should servo Him In this extreme nnd heroic fashion ? Would he flinch from the steel , or would he meet It as the mar tyrs met It of old ? Physically he was little suited to such an enterprise , for In appenrnuco ho was slight and pale , nnd In constitution deli cate. Also , there was another reason against It. High church and somewhat ascetic In his principles , In the beginning he had admired celibacy , and In secret dedicated himself to that stato. Dut In his heart Thomas wns very much n man , and of late he had come to see that that which Is against uaturo Is presumably not right , though fanatics may not hcsltato to pronounce It wrong. Possibly this conver sion to these more genial views of llfo was quickened by the presence in the neighbor hood of n young Indy whom he chanced to admire ; at least It Is certain that the mere thought of seeing her no more forever smote him like n s\\'onl of sudden pain. That very night or so It seemed to him , and so he believed the Angel Of the Lord stood before him ns he wns wont to stand before the men of old , and spoke n sum mons In his car. How or In what seeming that summons came Owen never told , and wo need not Inquire. At the least he heard It , and , like the Apostles , ho arose and "THAT EVENING THE TWO MEN SAT AT DINNER IN THE HECTORV. ' girded his loins to obey. For now. In the hour of trial. It proved that this man's faith partook of the nature of their faith ; It was 1'Uer and virgin ; it was not clogged with nine teenth century qualifications ; It had never dallied with strange doctrines , or kissed the feet of pinchbeck substitutes for Ood. In his heart he believed that the Almighty , without Intermediary , but face to face , had bidden him to go forth Into the wilderness there to perish , and ho bowed his head and wont. On the following morning , at breakfast , : Owen had some , talk with his friend , the Deputation. "You asked mo last night , " ho said , quietly , "whether I would undertake a mis sion to that people of whom you were telling me , the Sons of Fire. Well , I have been thinking It over , and come to the conclu sion that I will do so " At this point the Deputation , concluding that his host must be mad , moved , quietly , but decidedly toward the door. "Wait n moment , " went on Owen , In ar matter-of-ifact voice , "the dogcart will not' bo round for another three-quarters of an hour. Tell me , If It were offered to ypu , and in Investigation you proved suitable , would you care to take over this living ? " "Would I care to take over this living ? ' gasped the astonished Deputation. "Would I care to walk Into that garden and firfd myself in heaven ? But. why are yo'u making fun of me ? " "I am not making fun of you. If f go to Africa I must glvo up the living , of which I own the advowson , and It occurred to me that It might suit you , that Id all. You have done your share ; your health Is broken and you have many dependent upon you , It seems right , therefore , that you should rest and that I should work. If I do no good yonder , at the least jou am } yours will bo a little benefited. " That same day Owen chanced to. meet the lady who has been spoken of as having caught his heart. Ho had meant to go away without seeing her , but fortune brought them together. Hitherto , whilst In reality leading him on , she had scorned to keep him at a distance , with the result that ho did not know that It was her fixed In tention to marry him. To her , with seine hesitation , ho told his plans. Surprised and' ' frightened into candor the lady reasoned with him warmly , mid when reason failed to move htm she did tnoro. ly ) some subtle movement , with some sudden word , she lifted the veil of her reserve and Buffered him to see her heart. "If you will not stay for aught else , " said her troubled eyes , "then , lovo. stay for me. " For a moment ho was shaken. Then ho answered the look straight out , as was his nature , "I never guessed , " he said , "I did not presume to hope now It's too late ! Listen , Iwill tell you what I have told no living soul , though thereafter you may think me mad. Weak and humble , as I cm , I believe m > self to have received a Divine mission. I believe that I shall execute It , or bring about its execution , but at the ultimate cost of my own life. Still , In such a service two are better than one. If you can care enough If you " Hut the lady had already turned away nnd was murmuring her farewells In accents that sounded like a sob. Love and faith after this sort were not given to her. Of all Owen's trials this was the sharpest. Of all his sacrifices this was the most com plete. CHAPTER III. THE TEMPTATION , Two years have gone by and from the rectory in a quiet English village wo pass to a scene In central , or south central , Africa. On the brow of a grassy slope dotted over with mimosa thorns and doge to a gushing stream of water stands a house , or rather a hut , built of green brick and thatched with grass. Behind this hilt Is a fence of thorns , rough , but strong , designed to protect all within It from the attacks of lions and pther beasts of prey. At present , eave for a solitary mule eating Its provender by the wheel of a tented ox wagon , It Is untenantcd , . -r the cattle have not yet been kraaled for the night. Presently Thomas Owen enters thla enclosure by the back door ot the hut , and , having attended to the mule , which whinnies at the Bight of him , goes to the gate and watches there till ho sees the natlvo boyB driving the cattle up the slope of the hill. At length they arrive , and when he has counted them to make sure- that none are missing , and In a few kind words commended the herders for their watchfulness , he walks to the front of the' house , and , seating himself upon a wooden stool set under a mimosa , tree that grows near the door , bo looks earnestly toward the west , * The man has changed somewhat since last wo saw him. To begin with , he has grown a beard , and , although the hot African sun has ' bronzed It Into an appearance of health , his' face Is even thinner than It was , and the great spiritual eyes shine more strangely In It. At the foot of the slope runs a wide river , just here broken Into rapids , where the waters make an angry music. Beyond the river stretches a vast plain , bounded on the horizon bri mountain ranges , each line ot them rifling.'higher than the other , till the topmost nqd niorc distant peaks melt 1m- porcoptlblylnlnlo the tender blue of the heavens , nils' ' Is the land of the Sons of Fire , and yonder amid the slopes of the nearest hills IK the great kraal of their King , Umsuka , whoso name , being Inter preted , menus ( The Thunderbolt. In the very midst of the foaming rapids nnd about a thousand yards front the house lies a space of rippling , shallow water , where , unrcss 11 chances to be In flood , the river can i * forded , it Is this ford that Owen watchps : so Intently. "John shrfutd have been buck twelve hours ngo , " ho riiuttcrs to himself. "I pray that no harm IjnS 'befallen him at the Great Place yonder. " ' Just then a tiny blark speck appears far away on the plain. It Is a man traveling toward the water at a swinging trot. Qolnt ) Into the hut , Owen returns with a pair of field glasses , and through them scrutinizes the figure of the man. "Heaven be pralcedt It Is .John , " ho mut ters , with a sigh of relief. "Now , I wonder what answer he brings ? " Half nn hour later John stands before him , n stalwart natlvo of the tribe of the Amasuka , the People of Fire , and with up lifted hand salutes him , giving him titles of boner. "Praise mo not , John , " said Owen ; "praise fled only , ns 1 have taught you to do. Toll me , have you Been the King , nnd what Is his word ? " "Father , " he answered. "I Journeyed to the great town , as you bade mo , and I was admitted before the majesty of the king ; yes , he received mo In the courtyard of the House ot Women. With his guards , who stood at a distance out of hearing , there wore present three only ; but , 0 ! those three were great , the greatest In all the land after the king. They were Hnfela , the king that Is to come , the Prlnco Nodwengo , his brother , nnd Ilokosa , the terrible , the chief of the wizards ; and I tell you , father , that my blood dried up and my heart shriveled when they turned their eyes upon me , read Ing the thoughts of my heart. " "Havo I not told you , John , to trust In God and fear nothing at the hands of man ? " "You have told me , father , but still I feared , " answered the messenger , humbly ) "yet , being bidden to It , I lifted my fore head from the dust nnd stood upon my feet before the king and delivered to him the message which you set between my lips. " "Repeat the message. John. " " ' 0 , king , ' I said , 'beneath whose footfall the whole earth shakes , whoso arms stretch round the world and whoso breath Is the storm , I , whose name Is John , am sent by the whlto man whoso name Is Messenger' for by that title you bade me make you known 'who for a year has dwelt In the land that your spears have wasted beyond the banks ot the river. These me the words that ho spoke to me , O king , and that I pass on to you , with my tongue : "To the King Umsuka , lord of the Amasuka , the sou of ( Ire , I. Messenger , who am the servant and the ambassador of the king of heaven , glvo greeting. A year ago , king , I sent to you saying that the message which was brought by that white man whom you drove from your land had reached the ears of him whom I serve , the high and holy ono , and that , speaking In my heart , he had com manded me to take up the challenge of your message. Here am I , therefore , ready to abide by the Jaw which you have laid down ; for It gullolir Jles be found In me , then let me travel from spur land across the bridge of spears. SfllHT would dwell a little while hero wheroXj am before I pass Into the shadow of your rule and speak In the ears of your people as I have been bidden. Know , king , that first I would learn your tongue , nnd therefore I demand that one of your people may be sent to dwell with me and to teach me that tongue. King , you heard my words and you sent mo a man to dwelli.vrUh me , nnd that man has taught mo youriltonguo , nnd I also have taught hlm.fbonvcrtlng him to my faith and giving him a new name , the name of John. Klnsi' ' now I seek your leave to visit you , and , to deliver Into your ears the words with wlilch I , Messenger , am charged , I have spoken. " "Thus I. J/jhn'iAddresscd , the great ones , my .father . , ' arld.thjey listened * In silence. When' I had ' 'done they spoke together , a word here and a word thero. Then Hokosa , the King's Mouth , answered me , telling the thought ot the. king ; 'You are a bold man , you whose name Is John , but who once had another name you , who dare to appear before me and to make It known to mo that you have bebn turned to a new faith and serve another king than I. Yet be cause you nro bold I forgive you. Go back now to that whlto man who Is named Mes senger and who comes upon an embassy tome mo from the Lord of Heaven , and bid him come In peace. Yet warn him once again that hero also wo know something of the powers that are not seen , hero also we have our wizards who draw wisdom from the air , who tame the thunderbolt and com pel the rain , and that he must show him self greater than all of these If he would 'not ' pass hence by the bridge of spears. Let him , therefore.-.iake counsel with his heart and with Him ho serves , If such , a One there Is , and let him como or let him stay away , as it shall please him. ' " "So bo It , " said Owen ; "the words of the King are good , and tomorrow wo will start for the Great Place. " John heard and assented , but without eagerness. "My father , " he , sald. In n doubtful and tentative voice , "would It not perhaps bo better to bide here awhile first ? " "Why ? " asked Owen. "We have sown , and now Is th'o hour to reap. " "Quito so , my father , but as I ran hither , full of the King's words , It came Into my mind that now' Is not the time to convert the Sons of Fire. There Is trouble brewing at the Great Place , father. Listen , and I will tell you ; as I have heard , so I will tell you. You know well that our King Umsuka has two sons , liafela and Nodwengo ; and of these Hafela Is the heir apparent , the fruit of the chief wife of the King , and Nod wengo Is sprung from another wife. Now Hafela Is proud and cruel , a warrior of warriors , a terrible man , and Nodwengo Is gentle and mlldr like to his mother , whom the King loves. Of late tt has been discov ered that Hqfela , weary of waiting for power , has made a plot to depose his father and to kill Nodwengo , his brother , so that the land and those who dwell In It may be come his without question. This plot the King knows I had It from ono of his women , who Is my sister and ho Is very wroth , yet he dare do ) lttle , for ho grows old and timid and seeks rest , not war. Yet ho Is minded , if he can find the heart , to go back upon the law and to name Nod wengo as his heir before all the army at the feast ot the first fruits , which shall be held on the third day from tonight. This Hafela knows , and Nodwengo knows It also , and each of them.haa summoned his follow ing , numbering ! thousands and tens of thou sands of spearji > ta attend the feast ot tht first fruits. That feast may well bo a feast of-vultures , my faHier , and when the broth ers nnd their regiments rush together fight ing for the throije wlmt will ctianco to tht , whlto man wbplcflgies at such a moment to preach a faltlwBfcjiefl.ce , and to his servant , ono John , whojli5B3ilnrthore ? " "I do not JUKI * * ' answered Owen , "and It troubles intymot at all , I go to carry out my mlsslMb 'and ID this way or In that It will be cavtped-out. John , If you are fearful or umJellevlng , leave me to go alone. " * fV "Nay , fatbefj I am not fearful ; yet , father , I w.puWfwivo you understand. Yon der there are-Jpsuvwho con work wizardry , Wowl I knovKJgtvl have Been It , and they will demand frjpnjpyou magic greater than "What of lfJ5J/Mi ? " ? "Duly thU.caily.-father , that If they ask and you fall 'to give , they will kill you. You teach beautiful things , but eay , are you a wizard ? ' When the. chld | of a woman yonder lay dead , you could not raise It as did the Christ ; when fhe oxen were sick you could .not cure them ; or at least , my father , you did not , although you wept for the child nnd were sorry at the loss of the oxen. Now , my father , If perchauco they askj you to do such things as these yonder , or die , say , what will happen ? " "One of two things , John ; cither I shall , dle or I shall do the things. " "Hut" hesitated John"surely you do not bollevo that" and he broke off. Owen turned round and looked at his disciple with kindling eyes. "I do be lieve , O you of little faith 1" ho said ; "I do believe that yonder I have a mission , anil that He whom I serve will give me power to carry out that mission. You are right , I can work no miracles ; but He can work miracles whom everything in heaveu and earth obeyi , anil It there is need Ho will work them through mo , HI Instrument. Or perhaps He will not work them , and I shall die , because thus HI ends will bo best forwarded. At the leas I go In faith , fearing nothing , for what hna ho to fear who knows the will of God am docs It ? Dut to you who doubt 1 any leave me I" The man spread out his hands In deprc cation ; his thick lips trembled n little , nnd something like a tear appeared at the cor flcrs of his eyes. "Father , " ho said "am I n coward , Urn you should talk to mo thlis ? Ilio for twenty years have been a soldier of my1 king , and for ten a captain In tny rcgt ment ? These scars show whether or no am a coward , " anil he pointed to his breast ; "but ot them I will not speak. I am no coward , else I had not gone upon that errand of yours. Why , then , shouli you reproach mo because my ears are nose so open as yours , and my heart has no understanding ? \\orshlp I that God o whom you have taught me , but He never speaks to mo as Ho docs to you. I never meet Him as 1 walk at night ; Ho leaves mo quite alono. Thc-rcfino It Is that 1 fear thai when the hour ot trial comes He may dcscrl you ; and unless He covers jou with Ills shield , of this I am sure , that the spear Is forged which shall blush red In > our heart my father. It Is for you that 1 fear , who nre so gentle and tender ; not for myself who am well accustomed to look In the eyes ot death , and who expect no more than death. " "Forgive mo , " said Owen , hastily , for lit was moved ; "nnd bo sure that the shloli will bo over us till the tlmo comes for us to pass whither \\o shall need none. " That night Owen rose fiom the task at which ho was laboring slowly and painfully a translation of passages from the gospel ot St. John Into the language ot the Amasuka and , going to the open window place ot the hut , ho rested his arms Upon It and thought. Now It wns ns he sat thus that a great agony of doubt took possession of his soul. The strength that hitherto had supported him seemed to bo withdrawn and ho wns left , as John had said , "quite alone. " Strange voices seemed to whisper In his ears , reproaching and reviling him ; tempta tions long ago trampled under foot roao again In might , alluring him. "Fool ! " said the voices , "get you hence before it Is too late. You have been mad , you who dreamed that for your sake , to sat isfy your pride , the Almighty will break His sllcnco and strain his law. Are you , then , better , or greater , or purer , than millions who have gone before you , that for you nnd you alone this thing should be done ? Why , were It not that you wtro mad , you would bo among the chief of sinners : You , who dare to ask that the powers ot heaven should beset sot within your feeble hand , that the angels ot heaven should wait upon your mortal breath. Worm that you are , has God need of such as you ? If It Is Ills will to turn the heart ot yonder people Ho will do It , but not by means of you. You and the servant whom you are deluding to his death will perish miserably , and this alone shall bo the fruit ot your prcsumptuousncss before the madness takes your far sin. Get you back out of this wilderness before the mad ness takes you afresh. You are young , you have wealth ; look where She stands yonder whom you desire. Get back , and forget your folly In her arms. " These thoughts nnd many others of like nature tore Owen's soul In that hour of strange and tcrrlblo temptation. He seemed to see himself standing before the thousands of the savage natlou he went to save , and to hear the mocking voices of their witch- finders commanding him , If he were a true man and the servant of that God whom he prated , to give them a sign , only a little sign , perchance to move a stone wlthoul touching It with his hand , or to cause a dead bough to blossom. Then he would be seech heaven with frantic prayers , and In vain , till at length , amidst a roar of laugh ter , he , the false prophet and the liar , was led to his doom. He saw the piteous won dering look of the believer whom he had be trayed to death ; ho saw the fierce faces and the spears on high , and. seeing all this , his spirit broke , and , just as the little clock in the room behind him struck the first stroke of midnight , with a great and bitter cry to God to give him back the faith anil strength that ho had lost , Owen's head fel forward and lie- sank Into n swoon there upon the windowplace. ( To Uo Continued. ) COXXU1IIAI.1TIKS. Princess Maud of Wales has a new hus band and five new bicycles. Some women nre born lucky. Count Leo Tolstoi , son of the novelist , was recently married at Stockholm to a Miss Dora Westerlund. Mr , and Mrs. Thomas Shaughnessy of Milwaukee celebrated the golden anniver sary of their wedding last Tuesday. Mr , Shaughnessy and his wife came to Milwau kee in 1841. They were married July 28 , 184G. 184G.Mrs. Mrs. Thomas Roy of Ottawa , Can. , died recently , leaving a will which directed that her daughter should marry In twenty-four hours or suffer the loss of her Inheritance. The lady was able to fulfill the condition , although the demand was very sudden. A New York mother-in-law has Just horse whipped her daughter's husband because ho disagreed with her in politics. Such oc currences as this ought to convince the most narrow minded of the great advan tages ot woman suffrage. A story Is going the rounds to the effect that the mikado is desirous of having a European daughter-in-law and is seriously thinking of seeking the hand of some Euro pean princess for the crown prince. The different Japanese ambassadors at the Euro pean capitals have been ordered to look out. Joseph Walworth ot Uensonvllle , N , J. , 65 years old , a widower and well-to-do farmer , set out Saturday to elope with Susie Hall , the 19-jear-old daughter of a neighbor , but the couple were pursued and overtaken by the farmer's daughter , who persuaded her father to abandon his matrl monlal plans. A wealthy lowan with nine motherless boys In his nursery at homo has Just added to his establishment by adoption nine fatherless girls and their mother , his brother's widow. The second aggregation was formally obtained at Ellis Island , where It had arrived from Europe. This conspicu ous act of philanthropy , It Is reported , Is to be followed by another ceremony , which will glvo a mother to all the boys and a father to all the girls , and thus perfect the union of these two remarkable house holds. Mrs. Almerlc Paget hasa fad for collectIng - Ing handsome fans. One which she In herlted , however , from her mother , Mrs. Whitney , has gold and Ivory stick , a lace mount and is valued at the trifling' sum of n.ooo. NO-TO-BAC MENDS NERVES Lost Life Force Restored and Shattered Nerve-Power Quickly Repaired , TinTiiliiii'i'iiVltiir lIiiili-rinliic-M VlK mill % Utility.iTvmi iiroxlra tion , ( ii-nrriil Dulilllly Menu Tobmtuu Nv Tobacco-using Is n reckless wnsto of life force , money and manhood. It Is a dirty , nasty , men-wrecking diseauo and every tobacco-user knows It , The tobacco user's nerves are shattered uuU broken , his life Is going out of htm , he's losing his grip , but No-To-I3ao , tha u'rongest , quickest nerve tonlo In the world , braces his brain , nourishes his nerves , kllld nicotine , makes mttnhood , Bummer amok- liiir shortens life. If you want to quit tobacco , gain stiength , weight , vitality If you \\ant oil the time to look , feel and act like a innn VuUb No-To-Uno ! Get a cure or your money back. Over < 00ooo hnve bft n cured , nnd million * use No-To-Uno to lefulutu to bacco ucjiig , or purely for its wonderful poweiri H n nurvu tonlo and stimulant. If your ncivo nnd heart action Is weak , no matter what the cause , tnko No-To-Haol Sold and guaranteed by dniBBUts every , whero. Our famous booklet , "Don't To bacco Hplt and Smoke Your Llfa Away , " written guarantee and free Dainplo mulled for the asking. Address The Sterling Hemedy Co. , Chicago. Montreal or New York. How Are Your Kidneys ? Ever Have Your Back Ache ? Dr , Hobbs Sparagus Kidney Pills JnaXe Itenlthp Kldncri and the Back Stronit. llltli { Klilncj _ ratlfr tha nCUl KIlll All Othi , , Bnfia. H. n Dr , llobbs Spnrneuii Kidney ri ; llhenmMlnm.Nfmnleln.llmit , itrlaht'.iu * . * IM S DlnhMM , lrot > r , rctrmit , AnrcroU. 1'nlnn In Ah. dotncn , Uncknrhc , Klilnor Wcaknom , nml nil Inflnm. mntlonof the Ki.lhcr" . rnj lcti n nncl dtncalttnro. commtnil thftn , Me. it tint 'IV timorilr\1 from Ihotl. and * , nouns IU.HFIIT ni.ciiirnn : JMI.IAM t in v isui. HOir J5 roi/K i.irmtT ln. Horra Ltm.ie " LITER TILLS net ecntlri don't nrll'o. lUcU. atiol. M ° R MORPHINE HABIT > "D PAINIESSLT & PERMANENTLY CURED . S3.13. ooT.i < iisjfc3 PAINLESS ® Pmm ANTIDOTE ORIGINAL AND ONLY GENUINE REMEDY. Discovered In I860. "THERIAKI" Book Frco. Otflco 312 , 70 Monroe Street , rilirifin it r P.O. Drawer653. UHLAUU , 1LJU PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS The following proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of Nebraska , as hereinafter set forth In full , arc submitted to the electors of the State of Nebraska , to bo voted upon at the general election to ho held Tuesday , November 3 , A. D. 1896 : A joint icsolutlon proposing to amend sections two (2) ( ) , four (4) ( ) , and five (5) ( ) , ol article six ( C ) of the Constitution of the Stnto of Nebraska , relating to number of judges of the supreme court and their term of ofllco. Ho It resolved and enacted by the Legis lature ot the. Slate of Nebraska : Section 1. That section two (2) ( ) of article six ( i ! ) of the Constitution of the State ot Nebraska bo amended so us to read as fol lows : Section 2. The supreme court shnll tintl otherwise provided by luw , consist of live (5) ( ) judges , n majority of whom shall bo necessary to form a quorum or to pro nounce n decision. It Bhnll huvo oilglnn jurisdiction In cases relating to revenue civil cases Inwhich the state shall bo n party , mandamus , quo warranto , habeas ooipus , tind such appellate Jurisdiction , us may bo provided by law. Section 2 , That section four ( I ) of article six ( C ) of the Constitution of the state of Nebraska , be amended so us to read as fol lows : Section 4. The judges of the suoremo court shall be fleeted by the electors o the state ut large , and their term of olllce except as hereinafter provided , shall be for a period of not less than llvo ( " > ) years ns the legislature may prescribe. Section 3. That section five ( . * > ) of article six ( G ) of the Constitution of the State o Nebraska , be amended to read nn follows : Section 5 At the ilrst general election to bo held In the year 1890 , there shall bo elected two judges of the supreme cour one of whom shall be elected for .1 term of two (2) ( ) years , ono for the term of four ( I years , and at oaeh general election there after , there shall bo elected one Judge o the supreme court foi < the term of live (5 ( years , unless otherwise provided by law Provided , TJmt-the JudKQS ot the miprcm court whose terms liaVo not expired at th tlmo of holding th& general election of ISOG shall continue to" hold their olllco for th remainder of the term for- which they were respectively commissioned. Approved March 29 , Ai-JJ. 1S35. A joint resolution proposing nn amendment mont to section thirteen (13) ( ) of article six of the Constitution of the State ot Nebraska relating to compensation of supreme am district court Judges. Do It resolved by the Legislature of th State of Nebraska : Section 1. That-section thirteen (13) ( ) o article six ( fi ) of thu Constitution of the State of Nebraska bo amended so as tread road as follows : Sec. 13. The Judges of the supreme and district courts shall receive for their ser vices such compensation as may be pro vlded by law , payable quarterly. The legislature shall at Its first session after the adoption ot this amendment throe-llfths of the members elected to pach house concurring , establish their compensation. Tlio compensation so ea tabllshed shall not bo changed oftencr thai once In four years , and in no event unless two-thirds of the members elected to oacl house of the legislature concur therein. Approved March 30 , A. D , 1893. A joint resolution proposing to amen section twenty-four (24) ( ) of article five (5 ( ; of the Constitution of the State of Nebraska , relating to compensation of the officers of the executive department , Uo It resolved and enacted by the Legis lature of the State of Nebraska : Section 1. That section twenty-four (21) ( ) of article llvo (5) ( ) of the Constitution of the Stnto of Nebraska bo amended to road as follows : Section 21. The odlcers of the executive department of the state government shall receive for tholr services a compensation to bo established by law , which shall bo neither Increased nor diminished during the term for which they shall have been commissioned and they shall not receive to their own use any fees , costs , Interests , upon public moneys In their bunds or under their control , perquisites of olllco or other compensation , and all foes that mny hereafter bo payable by law for services performed by nn officer provided for In this "rlo shall bo paid in mlvanrn Intc the state treasury. The legislature shall at Its first session after the adoption of this amendment , three-fifths of the mem bers elected to ench house of the legisla ture concurring , establish the salaries of the otllcers named In thla urtlclo , Tha compensation so established shall not bo changed of tenor than once In four yen IB and in no event unless two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the leg islature concur therein. Approved March 23. A. D , 1895. A Joint resolution proposing to amend section ono (1) ( ) of article elx ( C ) of the Con stltutlon of the State of Nebraska , relating to judicial power. Ho It resolved and enacted by the Lcgls laturo of thn Stnto of Nebraska : Section 1. That section ono (1) ( ) of nrtlclo nix ( C ) of the Constitution of the Stuty of Nebraska bo amended to rend HH follows : Section 1. The judicial power of thin state Bhnll bo vested In a supreme rourt , dis trict courts , county courts. Justices of the peace , police mnKliitrntos. mid in such qther oourtH Inferior to the supreme court as may bo created by law In which two- thirds of thu members elected to each house concur Approved Mnrch X > , A , O , ISM. A joint resolution proposing to amend sec * tlon eleven (11) ( ) of article six (0) ( ) of the Constitution of the State of Nebraska , ro utine to Increase In number of supreme and dlatrlet court Judge * . Ho It resolved and enacted by the Leg- Idliiture of thu State of Nebraska : Section 1 , That section cloven (11) ( ) of nrtl clo ix ( i ! ) of the Constitution of the Stale > t Nebraska bo amended to read nu fol > Boc'tlon 11. The legislature , whenever two- hluls of the mcmhcni elected to each house shall concur therein , may , in or after the : i > nr ono thousand night hundred and ilnoty-savcn and not oftencr than once In ovary four yettiH , Increase the number of iiilycs of supreme and district courts , and ha Judicial districts of the state. Sucli dlstilclu shall bo formed of compact terrl- ory , nntl bounded by county lines ; and such Increase , or any chungo In the loundnrles of a district , shall not vacate ho olllco of any Juijiso. Approved March 30 , A , D. , 1K93. A Joint resolution proposing to amend ectlon six ( ? ) of article ono (1) ( ) of the Con- tltution of the State ot Nebraska , relating o trial by Jury. Itn it resolved and enacted by the L < & - filature of the Htalo of Nebraska ; Section 1. That section six ( G ) , article ono 1) ) of the Constitution of the Btuto of Nc- jruuka be umended to read us follows ; Section 0. The right of trial ly jury hnl | cmalu Inviolate , but the legislature may provide that In civil notions five-sixths the Jury may render n verdict , and ti legislature by nlso authorize trial by Jury of n IPS * number than twelve me > in courts Inferior to the district court. Approved Mnrch 29 , A , U. , 1S03. A joint resolution proposing to amen section ono (1) ( ) ot article flvo ( G ) ot the Co' gtltullon of Nebraska , relating to olllcors t the executive department. Uo It resolved nnd ennrtpd by the Leg , lalnttire. of thn Stain of Nebraska1 Section 1. That section onei i ) of nrtlcli live (5) ( of the Constitution of the Stnti of Nebraska bo nmendrd to n.nl ns fol lows : \ Section 1. The executive depnrttnent shall consist of n governor , lieutenant governor , secretary of state , auditor of public no- counts , treasurer , superintendent of publln Instruction , attorney general , commissioner of public lands and building * , and three railroad commissioners , cnrh of whom , ex cept the wild railroad commissioners , shall hold his ollleo for n teim of two years , from the Ilrst 'lliutsday after the ilrst Tuesday In Jnnuaiy. after his ploitl c and until his sucorsinr Is chvted nnd quail , tied. Knch railroad fomml sloiit > r nhiill hold his olllco for n term of three years , beginning on the Hist Thursday nflir thu Ilrst Tuesday In January nftor his election , and until his usccessor Is rlrctcd nntl quail- Hod ; 1'rovlded , however. That nt the Ilrst Mi'iiernl election hold nftor the ndopllori of this amendment there shall bo eleited thrco railroad commissioners , one for thoii period of ono .year , ono for the period of II two years , and ono for the pi-Mod of three I years. The governor , gecnnary ot state , auditor of public nocounls and treasurer , shall reside nt the capllol dm Ing tholr ii term of ollleo ; they shnll keep the puhllci I record * , books and papois theio , and shall perform such duties as may bo required by law. law.Approved Approved Mnrch 50 , A. D. , 1S93. A Joint resolution proposing to amend sec-I ( tlon twenty-six (2C ( ) ot article live (5) ( ) of the ( | Constitution of the State ot Nebraska , limit. Ing the number of executive state officers. ' lie It resolved nnd enacted by the Leg islature of thn State of Nebraska : . Section 1. That section twenty-six pi ) ot ) artlclo flvu ( r. ) of the Constitution ot the i. State of Nebraska bo amended to ircuil as It follows : / Section 6. No other oxcoutlvo state ofll- cers except thosn named In section ono (1) ) of this article shall bo created , except by an net of the legislature which Is con curred In by not less than three-fourths of tlio members elected to each house thereof ; 1'rovlded , That any olllce created by nn act of the legislature may be abolished by the legislature , two-lhlrdM of tlio member * elected to each house thoioof concurring. Approved Mnrch 30 , A. 1) . , 1893. A joint resolution proposing to amend section nlno (9) ( ) of article eight ( S ) of the Constitution of the State of Nebraska , pro viding for the Investment of the permanent educational funds ot the state. IJe It resolved nnd enacted by the Leg islature ot the State ot Nebraska : Section 1. That section nlno"(9) ) ot urtlelo eight ( S ) ot thu Constitution of the State of Nebraska bo amended to read ns fol lows : Section 9. All funds belonging to the state for educational purposes , the Interest nnd income whereof only nro to bo used , shall bo deemed trust funds held by the state , I nnd the state shall supply all losses thereof - I of that may in any manner accrue , so that I the same shall remain forever Inviolate ! and undlmlnlshod , and shall not bo In-1 vested or loaned except on Pulled States I or state scouiltles , or registered county I bonds or registered school district bomUil of this state , and such funds , with thol Intoiost and Inoomo thereof are hereby I solemnly pledged for the purposes for which they are granted and sot apart , anil shall not bo transferred to any other fund for other uses ; j Provided , The board crenit-vl by section 1 of this nrtlclo Is oinpow"rd to sell from lima to time any of the securities belong ing to the permanent school tund and In vest the proceeds arising therefrom In any ot the securities enumerated In this secJ J tlon bearing a higher rate of Interest , whenever nn opportunity for better Investment - ' mont is presented ; And provided further. That when anv warrant upon thu state treasurer regu larly Issued In pursuance of an appropria tion by the legislature and secured by the levy of a tax for its payment , shall bol presented to the state treasurer for pay-1 ment , and there shall not ho any money I In the proper fund to pay such warrant , ! the board created by section 1 of this artl-1 cle may dliect the state treasurer to payl the amount due on such warrant from I moneys In his hands belonging to the pcr-f nmnent school fund of the state , and hoi shall hold said warrant ns an investment ! of said permanent school fund. Approved March 2 ! > , A. I ) . . ISO. A Joint resolution proposing nn amend ment to the Constitution of the State of Nebraska by adding a now section to artlclo twelve (12) ( ) of said constitution , to bo num bered section two (2) ( ) , relative to the merg ing of the government of cities of the metropolitan class and the government otj the counties wherein such cities are lo- ] cated. Uo It resolved and cnncted by the Lcg-J Ishxtnro of the State of Nebraska : 1 Section 1. That article twelve (12) ) of thol Constitution of the State of Nuliraska boH amended by adding to said artlclo a ncwi section to bo numbered hectlon two (2) ( ) , to ] read ns follows : i Section 2. The government of any city otl the metropolitan class nnd the government ! of the county In which It Is located may bol merged wholly or In part when a proposl-l tion so to do has boon submitted by an-1 thorlty of law to the voteis of such city I and county and received the assent of 111 majority of the votes cast In such city anil I also n. majority of the votes cast In thu I county exclusive of Jh'.ie cnst In sucli metropolitan city at such election. Approved March 29 , A. I ) . , 1S93. A Joint resolution proposing an amendment to section six ( G ) of article seven (7) ( ) ot the i Constitution of the State of Nebraska , pro scribing the manner in which votes shall 30 cast. no It resolved nnd enacted by the Leg- slnturo of the State of Nebraska Section 1. That section six ( G ) of nrtlclo seven (7) ( ) of the Constitution of the State if Nebraska bo amended to read ns fol- ow : St-ctlon C. All votes ehnll ba by ballot , or such other method na may be prescribed : iy Inw , provided the scciccy of voting bo preserved Approved March 29 , A. P. , 1S93. A joint resolution proposing lo amend section two (2) ( ) of artlclo fourteen (14) ( ) of the Constitution of the Stnto of Nebraska , icla- .Ivo to donations to works of Internal im provement and manufactories. Uo It resolved and enacted by the Lcgls- aturn of thn Stutu of Nebraska : Section 1. Tlmt section two (2) ( ) of nrtlcla fourteen (14) ) of the Constitution of the Unto of Nebraska , bo amended to read a * 'ollottB' Suction 2 , No city , county , town , precinct , municipality , or other ubillvlslon of the state , shall over imiko donations to any works of Internal Improvement , or innnu- 'notary , unless u proposition so to do shall nivo been first submitted to Ihn qualified doctors nnd rntHled by u two-thirds votu ut an election by authority of law ; Pro vided , That such donatlon of a county with the donations of such mihdlvlftloni * In ho aggregate shall not exceed ten per cent if the nxKosscd valuation of such county ; 'rovlded. further , Tlmt liny city or county may , by n throo-fourUm vote. Incienso such ; ndnbtcdm-HS llvo per cent , In addition to such ion i > r oetit and no bonds or cvl- , Icncc.s of Indftbtt'dnoMM HO Issued Hhall ! > > I nlld iinlcsB thn snma Hhtill have endorsed j hereon n certificate signed by the secroJ J ary nnd auditor of Htnto , showing that 1 he. name la Issued pursuant to Inw , J Approved Mnrch 29 , A. 1) . , 1S05 , 1 I , J , A. Piper , secretary of state of the I tate nt Nebraska , do hereby certify that I tie foregoing proposed amendment * to thai Jonatltution of the Btato of Nebraska orul run and correct copies of the original en-1 oiled anil engrossed bills , an passed by tlio I Twenty-fourth scission of the legislature of ! lie Stnto of Nebraska , an appears from I aid original bills on file In tills olllco , andl bat all and each of * ald proposed amend-1 raents are submitted to the Qualified voters I f the state of Nebraska for their adoption I r rejection at the general election to be I icld on Tuesday , the 3d day ot November , I A , D. . 1SOC. I In testimony whereof , J have thereunto 1 ot my hand and afllxed the great teal of ' ho utato of Nebraska. DOUO at Lincoln , this 17th day of July , In he year ot our Lord , Ono Thousand Klgbt lutidrcd anil Ninety-six , ot the Indepeud- nco of the United States the One Hundred nd Twenty-first , nud of this state the Thirtieth. Seal. ) J , A. I'll'KIl , Secretary of Stat * . Aug t DtoNovJ morn only.