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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
9
MANUSCRIPTS DISCOVERED IN THE VALLEY OF THE NILE
MADE PUBLIC THROUGH THE BULLETIN
To many people who are much interested in the
history of the past, one of the results of peace is
very much appreciated. Excavations have been re
sumed by learned scientists in various places, and
already interesting and practical results have been
secured.
Through the courtesy of a representative of Baron
Frederick Munchausen, the famous historian and
graceful writer, the Bulletin has secured copies of
some of the manuscripts discovered in the Nile val
ley.
The Baron, who is a great authority, is of the
opinion that they unearthed the library of some
great Egyptian man of letters. Of course, many of
the manuscripts are almost undecipherable by rea-
son of exposure, dirt and dampness, but others are
in a fair state of preservation. They were all writ
ten on some kind of skin which was at once tough and
flexible. The translations which the Baron’s repre
sentative, Mr. Joseph Miller, places at our disposal
seem either to be the work of that famous slave,
Aesop, or to have been written by an imitator of
that famous composer of fables.
Mr. Miller promises further stories, as he secures
them from the Baron.
We know that all the readers of the Bulletin will
be pleased, and we must admit that we are very
proud of the fact that so young a paper as the Bul
letin has been selected by Mr. Miller as the means
of informing the American public of this important
discovery.
We may add that Mr. Joseph Miller is somewhat
of a literary character himself, having inherited
from a very distinguished father, after whom he was
named, a passionate love for romantic literature.
Mr. Miller informs us that the manuscripts have
been translated by the famous Italian Professor of
Archaeology, Signor Giuseppe Briccomne Mensogno
of Naples. We understand that the original parch
ments contained no headings or title, but Professor
has added these, as he distinctly states.
The first story is called by the Professor:
THE VALOROUS WILD ASS.
One day a short time after noon, a wild ass was
passing through the Nubian desert to return to his
herd, from which he had been separated. He saw
from afar what he believed to be a dead lion under
a thorn tree near the border of a small oasis. He
cautiously drew near making every effort to make no
noise m approaching. When at last he had come
near, he saw by the rise and fall of the lion’s breast
that he was not dead but asleep. But it seemed to
the wild ass that the lion was weak, and a wild
desire seized the wild ass to show his courage, and
yet save his skin. He thought of his being able to
tell all the other asses that he had kicked the king
of beasts. So he drew near and very cautiously ad
ministered a very slight kick and then at once took
to his heels. The lion did not know he had been
kicked, but raising his head at the noise made by
the departing ass, he drowsily said: “Oh, he is only
an ass.”
The fable teaches us not to mind Editors even
though they be in high office.
THE WEARIED TRAVELER.
As the day was fast declining a weary man ap
proached a way-side inn. He entered and sought
lodging and something to eat. The landlady assured
him of a good bed, lavish hospitality and a quiet
night, and the pay was indeed modest.
.The wearied man spoke of days of travel and
nights of toil. He was devoting all his time to the
instruction of his people in how to govern themselves
and what perils confronted them.
, His throat was dry and parched and his physical
vigor well nigh exhausted, but his spirit was as
indomitable as ever.
A man versed in physics and lotions and curious
herbs had prepared for him a famous decoction made
from the lowly corn. It was to be applied by inter
nal baths at regular intervals.
And the wearied traveler listened as the man of
herbs toM him that three applications would bring
relief. . But the wearied traveler said to himself :
Now if three of these internal lotions will do me
much good, is it not apparent that six will do twice
as much. And verily, the wearied traveler took
copious draughts thrice and again thrice and ap
plied them internally.
Now the gods had given—perhaps it had been
Bacchus alone—to this decoction of common corn
the most wonderful powers. Even the dumb could
speak and poor, mortals became unsteady in gait, and
if there was evil in their hearts, lo it came out from
Hieir lips as the strange extract entered.
Now a domestic showed the weary traveler his
place and the high gods brought rest to his limbs
and sleep to his eyes.
But there were wicked men below in whose hearts
there were dreams of tempting the fates, and so
with much spirit and noisy laughter they plaved
games of chance. F '
The weary traveler saw in dream a curial chair
and the toga of a Senator and heard already what
he deemed the gladsome sound of many voices raised
m rapturous applause. But no! He roused him
self to hear profane voices raised in phrases which
to his keenly pure and sensitive mind were horrible,
the potent lotion of corn was now in full possession.
He rushed to the door—May the gods pardon me.
His slender shanks and other anatomical excres
cences were exposed to the air. His words came not
from the wearied traveler but from the potent lotion.
The painful scene brought the landlady. The
wearied traveler could with difficulty be restrained
the guards were summoned. But a superhuman
energy was given him by my lord Bacchus. At last
quiet reigned. The weary traveler found rest and
peace in the prison house.
This fable teaches that:
When you want to go to Washington don’t take a
flivver
When a BuFord will the goods deliver.
GEORGIA EDITORS NOTIFIED OF THE
ACTION OF CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S
ASSOCIATION
(Continued from Page 4)
views. When one of our United States Senators,
however, who ought to be the first to protect the
name of our State and to champion the integrity
o± our laws, courts and grand juries, fails in this
duty so far as to charge that we are harboring
a white girls slave pen in Georgia, it is a differ
ent matter.
We are, therefore, transmitting this informa
tion to you for such use as you may deem advis
able m the premises.
Sincerely,
(Signed) RICHARD REID,
Publicity Director,
Catholic Laymen’s Association of Georgia.