Newspaper Page Text
VOL. VI.
J. H. & W. B. SEALS
EDITORS A N I*
PROPRIETORS.
ATLANTA, GA., AUGUST 14. 18S0.
Terms in Advance:
Till? II14-11
BY TOM liKKF.NK.
In the* Highlands, in the summer.
On the mountain's erected 1
Where the morning haze of siiv
Is soaring skyward now:
Where the halinv breeze is sighi
In the purple hemioeks near.
And the bobolink is calling
To his mate in notes of cheer.
In the Highlands, in the summer.
1 1 the forest >
Where there reigns a holy quiet
In the airy days of June,
And where nothing breaks the si
But a streamlet’s steady flow
As it makes the sweetest music
With its murmurs soft and T
In the Highlands, in the sunin
In the ( veiling of the day.
When the mountain top* a
And the valleys clad in g
When the whipj*oor will i-
In bis solemn weird toiie-
Tis here I love to ramble,
And to meditate alone.
iainesville, June 1M
( One Year, 82.50,
( Single 4 opy. 5e.
NO. 264
ml titter among tlie lofty-minded beau-
THE FORTUNES
Esther, the Jewess
It, \I(V«‘«I
CllAl’TF.K X
he king's great feast was over, and the
•in of jaded Spirits weighed down by ex
.. overspread the minds of the reveller-;
the jollitv and vivacity of obstreperous
t p were succeeded by i thoughtful an<l
vish melaneholv So great was the 0111-
4 in the effects on the animal -pm?-
t 1111 inexperienced observer cmild se.iree
have lielieved the serious ami taciturn
iges before him to be the late merry and
ous erowd that had thronged the festive
rd. Now that the hour of reflection and
-examination hud coim* up. n the long,
natural litun vnlenee i_>f liis nature, which
her despotic power, nor the influence nt
ious courtiers could suppress, was move. 1
pity and commiseration for his i.Mated
en, whom in* had condemned and punisli-
while heated with wine. Yet the edict
i gone forth and without the clearest evi
ct- of error or falsehood in the charge pre-
*ed against her. could ii'*t consistently
h the dignity and the fixed and irreversi-
stenmess of the monarch's decrees, b - all
ied. The impiietude of the king did not
ipe the watchful and penetrating eyes of
courtiers, who rightly judging the cause,
ght without delay to apply a remedy that
uld restore him to his w onted cheerful -
s Accordinglv. the chief of tie* Magi, or
e men of the east, and the expounder-- of
Zendavesta, prostrating himself bet, re
king, begged, after the eastern custom,
mission to speak, which being granted, lie
i<-ceded in tin* following manner:
‘Then let the king know that all future
narchs and the people of everv nation
ill read in the chronicles of Persia how Ar-
a rxes, the mighty ruler of a hundred and
I'litv seven provinces, regarding more tae
id of his people and the glory of his em
e than his personal gratifications, main*
ned the supremacy of his edicts and the
iver of hi- authority, even over tie* queen
his choice and the wife of liis bosom So
ill the governors and rulers of the earth
rard his government as a model, and liim-
f as the impersonation of princely great-
“For shame cried the eunuch, ‘ this treat
merit of one so gentle and unassuming is both
tinfeeling and disgraceful. Remember, pret
tv plagues, that it is the king's province to
determine who among you is worthy of the
place of Vashti, and not yours. So be not
too much puffed up with your own high con
ceit, for it may come to pass that this mod
est beauty whom you so much contemn may
of a right command the homage you would
pay in mockery."
“Surely yes," said another in a tone of
irony, as si.e curled in proud disdain her
pretty lip. Who shall direct great Artaxer
xes’ taste or control his w ill 1 Yea, he may
even descend so far from his lofty grandeur
as to make a captive Jew ess queen of Persia
Who shall say him nay :
“Now that, were capital,” said a third,
laughing immoderately. “Think of tile state
ly dames and high-born damsels of Persia
bowing down before a bondswoman of Jew
ry—the thought is too rich. Then Zoroas
ter would bow to Moses and the God of the
Jews take precedence of Ormu/xl and Mi
thras."
Esther shuddered at these remarks and
turning to the eunuch, begged to be taken
back to her home.
“Not so, timid beauty." he replied; you an
| now committed to my custody and must
I bide your time. A ct lie not cast down I
have the power to see you gently dealt w ith .
I nor must these beauties presume too far, lest
their rudeness be reported to the king and
| bring about from his sympathy, tile very
end they are most anxious to defeat."
This "speech had the desired effect, for the
j haughty damsels fearing the effects of the
eunuch's threat, instantly whispered among
themselves and withdrew in a body from th*
room, determining t* > hold chemselves aloof
from the unknown object of their con
tempt.
“Now,'’ said the eunuch with a smile, “you
are freed from them and need not fear their
malice; for they dare not further molest you.
Not one of those hauty damsels is there, but
what would make a perfect tyrant of a queen.
| Y'et their pride and lofty bearing, methinks.
will defeat themselves, for the king has al
ready had quite enough of female arm
\ in diiist i> 4r.iB.0A.
cast and * *
dor, t" 1I1
eat the bi
goes befort
from the scenes of her splen-
the waters of bitterness and
i of affliction ‘Pride, iinl**<d.
stroction and a haughty spirit
befon
la
t. that his throne may be surrounded by
iat is beautiful and attractive, as well as
ous. his dutiful slave would humbly ad
the king of kings to send forth a decree
I the satraps of the province-, to- arch
the most beautiful and accomplished,
seisin the bounds of their governments
send them to Susa, that the king may
their number choose a queen to adorn
brone in the place of \ ashti, wle* f**i
ng the homage due to her lord had for-
1 her place."
is speech was gratifying to the *-'.** th
confirmed bis wavering mind as *’lie
re of Vashti's banishment, and pr*un-
great happim ss in th" selection of new
II. The decree w as therefore mu '* ‘ '•
lelay and as readily obeyed. '} lie t»•*••.u*y
e empire w as already pouring ml" 1. •
from tie* adjacent province-, surroi.n **d
a splendor and treated with a usti c-
suitable for candidates for the exa.ted
>n of queen of the mighty emp.re. *»•■
omlueted to tie* palace they us r-
*<1 to the custody of Hagai, the eunuch,
le* time when tiiev shoul 1 app**ar bebire
king. Mordecai, perceiving trom the
uage of the edict that all the most beau
y oung women of the empire were to
niile at the palace, without making an
ption as t<* nation, kindred or condition,
■ daily viewing the throngs of b-autiful
lies that passed him, as lie sat in the
's gate, suddenly conceived the idea of
■ni pig Esther among the congregated
Mordee.ii found her in a thoughtful and
meditative mood us he entered the room in
which sit- sat, and asked with a smile;
**\Vhv. Esther, what unwelcome thoughts
intrude upon you that your brow assumes so
grave a cast C
"1 was reflecting on the sudden fall and
wretched state of the proud and unhappy
Vaslui." -he replied.
“And what think you. my daughter, of the
beautiful virgins that flock on every* side to
abide their chance for her place
**I have seen none of them,” she said with
unaffected simplicity, “but suppose that none
but very lovely damsels have approached the
palace; 1 a* the decree admits of none but
such.'
“Esther, child of my adoption and dearer
to me than life. 1 am about to ask you a
question, not prompted by idle curiosity, but
for rea-ons on several accounts mighty and
important, and I expect from your trutliful-
: m ss a candid answer. For some time past 1
have ‘ -erved even when you were most
I anxious t*> conceal it from me, that some
secret e.m-e cf sorrow cast a gloom upint
your spirits and corroded at your heart.
This Ins given me trouble, for I ihink 1 have
rightly judged the cause. Now be not
troubled when von hear tile question neither
! yes or .no will ill 110 w ise displease me,—and
w id determine my course as to what may fol-
i low. Then tell me, in all sincerity, do you
not fervently and tenderly love the king of
Th.* ei. intenance of Esther which had grad-
'' ualiy grown paler and paler at Mordecai s
-oleum preface, now became crimson and she
Be guided by your own sense of propriety.
Blit be not mpelled by a vain ambition for
distinction and earthly splendor, and 111 no
wise think to aspire to the dignity of the
queen without
determinate! v
•arrying along with you the
le heart. Speak boldly and
i await your answer.”
There was a war of tumultuous feelings iu
that little bosom and her heart throbbed
with a palpitating violence as she made s* v-
eral ineffectual efforts to speak. At length
summoning duty to the aid of modesty, she
saiil, alnii -t inaudibly:
“1 have striven in vain to subdue the inef
fably tender emotions of my trembling heart
towards the king, fearing that 1 sinned
contracted his brow* to look indignant, the
lurking disposition to laugh betrayed itself in
despite of him, and before he could litter
the rebuke upon his tongue, another inter-
po-
And le*
e ; and
* doe:
idiat
the king
rill he si
look
ihen in
ie favo-
•Silelli*
e spent
,vill he bawl out
she asked, plirpo;
-*,/ea.••■ 1 iefor(
:* 1 \ mistaking
“D
king ilanci
1- what lie
enquired a third,
re he i- fondest
ill tie
caking
and i
e like
against the I rod
creature more tl
sleeping and my
ever before lie*,
and beautiful per.*
remain ever befor
mirage.”
“Then who shall forbid ;
among the damsels at th
Mordecai. “You shall go.
may the God of Java>1 • i > • w
you the instrument of futm
your people."
Having thus propitiously
terview, Mordecai hastily
ile in loving the
ator. Yet in my
lreams he seems
voice, his manly
s generous oilers
li • delu-ions of a
intri
luction
rav daughter, and
itii yi*u and make
re blessings upon
•ary for Esther's
chilled his in
the pre
parations nei
at the ]>alace. The fema'es
bled were principally those
and powerful lords of i’ersi
long line of ancestors, softly
nurtured, inherited the
ip;.
the weal 1
who froi
tel delieatel
graceful and
5
nt.
I ha
light 'in
fo,,- be .
ingenue
genenm-
0 knows,” he reasoned, “but that it
lease the inlinitely wise God of my
to make her the accepteil of the king,
lstauding her having once offended
her refusal ! And who shall say, it
mil come to pass, that the king sheart
4 be touched by her, frail instrument
she be, to lighten the yoke of her im
pel >ple!
,-jted by these reflections, he a L once
ined to open his mind to Esther and
,er determinaton. E-ther had learned
wilfull "f the unhappy queen, which
had spread with a thousand varia
1 rough everv street anil avenue of the
it v and though the object of her
SS jealousy, she could not repress a
,,f pit y at her sadden and overwhelm-
eme of fortune.
I* cheerless, how desolate, she mused,
be that haughty, unbending spin!.
-„rk down and levelled with the slaves
.n.ed * Those who trembled at her
mil felt death scarcely more terrible
MitLr» r now ‘mock her calamity and
■ r with’scorn. Tim'. God whom she
ured has by a breath dispelled her
ss forever and sent her forth an out-
taken you by surprise, my daugn-
nued iie. “but my purpose is not a
ms I have already told yon. there
in posed and answer me frankly and
Jv. if Artaxer xes has won by his
and noble nature the affections of
ung h* art, and whether you could be
| to him a tender and affectionate wife, re-
i membering always your service to your
find
! “I. the wife of the king asked Esther
i with astonishment.
“Even you,'* replied Mordecai with a smile:
, “and what is there to forbid it
j “Do you forget, my father, that we are
: J«*ws, a nation of bondsmen despised by this
; haughty people * And can yon indulge for a
| moment the vain dream that the great king,
; who in youthful fervor, and then without a
j prospect of the throne, could offer to raise to
the dignity of a princess an obscure Persian
| girl as he thought me, would suffer the
thought to enter his mind of making a
daughter of our people the queen of Persia (
i “1 Laughter,” replied Mordecai, “i have lor-
gotten nothing, nor do I consider it a vain
: dream as your modesty terms it, that you
1 should he thought worthy to become the
j wife of the great king. This proud people
mav apply to our nation what terms of re-
! proach tiiev please, but they cannot settle
j the question of merit. (Tod, who searches
j tie* heart, knows who is most worthy ol np-
i probation and His omnipotent will has but
to conceive it. to accomplish what is impossi-
: ble for man. The king’s decree, that the
! beauty of his whole empire shall be presented
to his eye for the selection of a queen, allows
110 exception of nation nr kindred, hut com
prehends all the most lovely young females
in his dominions. N ou are therefore not only
privileged, but commanded to appear befor 41
him. You are under no obligation to deelar
I 111111. i ou a 1o uimo *■ r> -
your people, and may without reproach be
silent <m that subject. I would not ill the
1 slightest degree influence your determination.
beautiful persons as well as the haughtiest
and most supercilious hearing. Their app* ar
hi ice, as they promenaded in groups about
the palace, was strikingly elegant and impos
ing. The splendor of their dresses, sparkling
with gems and gold from their bosoms to the
long trains that trailed upon the gorgeous
carpets—their long silken tresses clustered
with diamonds -their polished foreheads of
dazzling whiteness and arched brows—tiie
soft, yet sparkling eye—the winning smile
and ivory teeth, the graceful attitude and
elastic, noiseless tread, gave to the beholder
the idea of the bright spirits of a purer and
better world. Yet here was no object to ex
cite an unworthy pa-sion, and the illusion
was without its foil. Most of these damsels
were known, one to another, either by per
sonal intercourse, or by the intimacy of their
parents; and being generally equal by birth
uml.station,they mingled m lively reereati ms,
sometimes with boisterous merriment, play
ing at Persian games and tilling the palace
with shouts of wild laughter, and at others,
supposing a queen already chosen from their
number, they in mock obeisance prostrated
themselves before their imagined mistress,
and by turns carried on long dialogues with
her.
()n one of these outl> ursts of jollity, the eu
nuch, Hagai, jealous of his authority and
deeming their mirth rather undignified, en
tered their apartment with the double pur
pose of scolding their levity and of announc
ing the arrival of another beauty b-fore in
troducing her. Contracting his brow and as
suming a carriage of awful dignity, he stalk
ed into the room and looking around upon
them with a frown asked, “\Vbat means this
noisy revelry Have you forgotten where
you are and for what purpose you are here
assembled ' Would you win the king ! and is
it by screams and frolicsome wantonness you
expect to please him
“Is the king very grave then ■" asked a lit
tle black-eyed beauty sidling up to the eunuch
with an expression of comic archness. ‘‘1 hen
do show me what aspect to assume when I
appear before him Is this the kind of look
to win him she continued, distorting her
pretty little face into a horrid grimace. In
vain the eunuch pursed up liis mouth and
Several others joining in the request, they
gathered around the eunuch, struggling for
his dignity, and joining their hands began to
b nind and dance in tin* wildest glee. Striv
ing in vain to assume a look of awful reproof,
for in whichsoever way he turned, a pair of
bright mischief-looking eyes encountered liis
mock frown, lie burst into an irresistible tit
of laughter, and crying out, “get away you
mad imps,” burst through their circle and
ran out of the room.
The joyous peals of laughter and tin* romp
ing game still continued till interrupted a
m m .ml time by the entrance of Hagai, who
now introduced a young female covered with
a long flowing vail'. Her eves were bent upon
the floor, and her frame seemed to he agitat
ed by a slight tremor. Her dress was neat
and tastefully fitted to her graceful form, but
!>y her own choice without splendor or super
fluous ornament.
competitor." said the
.a see her face you will
Behold !" coil limed he
iway her vail. “Her
name, she says, is Esther. Whence from, or
how descended, she declines answering. \ et
the damsel is entitled to the same distinctions
and privileges with the proudest titles among
•Hen*
iu< h. “j
another
d when y
say a dangerous one.
suddenly stripping
‘•Esther's countenance, sufl'tised w ith a glow
of oll'ended modest y as the eunuch stripped
away her vail, exhibited a picture of the most
dazzling beauty, and every beholder started
with an involuntary murmur of admiration.
Here was now a sudden change of the scene :
the exuberant merriment at once subsided
and the unamiable passions of a corrupted
nature, so lat* ly reposing under the smiles of
a cheerful gaiety, were routed into action.
Envy and displeasure were plainly depicted
in the countenances of the now silent gazers,
and a cloud of malevolence darkened their
brows. There was no cheerful greeting nor
merry welcome to Esther as had met the ar
rival of every other new comer: but on the
contrary, a studied reserve and stately hau
teur marked the demeanor of all the beauti
ful females around her. Had she been intro
duced by some proud title, or as the daugh
ter of some powerful lord, her reception
would have been different, and whatever
envy her beauty might have excited, would
have been suppressed under the smiles of an
apparent welcome. But that an obscure and
low-born girl as her unannounced family
and origin declared her, should be thrust
among them as a competitor for the highest
station in the empire was too provoking to
admit of courtesy or even of notice.
“This is an abuse of the plain intent of the
king’s decree," whisp< red an indignant beau
ty to her nearest associate, “it could never
mean that the vulgar herd should be includ
ed in the selection of damsels: for what
affinity can there be in the sentiments, edu
cation and association of ideas, of the king
and the low and contracted views of an un
refined and disgusting plebeian ‘ This crea
ture, it is plain from her concealment ot her
family, is some vulgar adventurer, who,
made insolent by a little personal comliness
that nature in a freak has thrown away upon
her, presumes to thrust herself among her
superiors, not surely with any expectation of
pleasing the eye of tin* king with her despica
ble abasement, but for the purpose of advanc
ing her miserable pretensions by her present
ass( jciation.
“We will make her repent her impudence,”
replied her listener, “by exercising our wit
and mockery upon her. She shall become the
butt and ridicule of the palace. "
This answer brought forth an exulting tit
of laughter, and the unamiable pair fully
determined to carry out the suggestion and
to harass the gentle and meek Esther with
their malevolent derision. How unaptly
joined to fair and beautiful beings seems an
envious and evil spirit, connecting in one the
two contrasts of loveliness and disgusting de
formity. There is something so inexpressi
biv delightful in the contemplation of the
buoyant spirits and merry laughter of hap
pv maidenhood that we naturally associate
pure and heavenly feelings with the beauti
ful beings before us: and doubly repulsive
and unnatural seem the dark amt malignant
passions when coupled with so winning an
exterior. But the vices of progenitors are
infused, like their blood, into the natures of
their posterity, and a long line of corrupt an
cestry too generally produces a long line of
corrupt descendants. Evil propensities in
the young force upon us a gloomy presenti
ment of their future life, for with th** purest
and best, the passions and temptations of
a life continually chequered with vicissitudes
and trials must in time sober down the 1 mov
ant spirits by accumulated cares, and too
often corrupt and harden those hearts that
were once tender and sympathetic*. The day
dreams of romance—of unselfish and diffusive
benevolence are dissipated by insensible* de
grees, like the odor of sweet flowers, and the
feelings of universal love are contracted to a
small circle and to a few objects; ami even
in that narrow compass they are mingled
with disquieting fears, uncertain hopes, and
imperfect realization. In old age we look
back upon the sunny spots of youth like the
weary caravan on the delightful oasis of the
desert behind them. But to tin* pious—though
the conviction gathers strength w ith the ad
vance of years, that man was made to mourn
—there is a prospect moie brightening be
yond the grave the nearer they approach its
verge, which teaches them that the gleams
amf snatches of jo.v experienced in this life
are but a foretaste of a blessed existence
hereafter.
Yet it is delightful to contemplate the hap
py anticipations of young life, nor should we
disturb the bright delusion unmingled with
vice, which will so soon pass away of itself.
The cold and chilling reception of Esther
passed not unobserved by Hagai, who after
several minutes close observation, asked,
“(lay damsels, what has so speedily dispell
ed your good humor i and why do y ou it*-
fuse to receive as an equal this young maid
en { I)o you know anything of her, unworthy
of vour accustomed civility i
You construe us wrongly," replied the
Hagai then conducted her to a % splendid
chamber fitted out \\ ith every description of
costly and beautiful furniture, and throwing
open a large wardrobe said, “You will find
here every variety of female apparel." Then
pointing to seven young women who stood
in a line at one elid of the room, he contin
ued, “These are your maid-servants to obey
your pleasure in all you choose t<> command:
—the>e,” pointing to several gold caskets,
“contain the precious ointments for your
purification, for as fair and beautiful as you
seem, it is deemed indispensable that you
hould be subjected t*> many ablutions and
purifications befor
ence of the king."
Here Esther pass
f(»rt than her s. clus
and had the add’.tio
Mordecai daily pa*
enquire after her h
did she suffer anv
ome into the pres
*1 her
m more com*
>n had ar first promised
al satisfaction of seeing
; before her window to
alth and treatment: nor
ther annovanee from tie*
liiouil beauty who bail first given her opiu
: TA.tiw.• “n ii-if vim for pride is
ion of Esther: “what you mista
nothing less than awe at the commanding per
sonage whose acknow ledged greatness makes
it superfluous to announce her parentage and
station in life. We are forced to acknowledge
her a scion of the blood royal, and Led our
humble pretensions put to shame b\ her
superior attractions. Surely we must begin
to practise our prostrations and most hum
l,le homage before this august impersonation
of majesty: for nothing less than queen can
she possibly Become.”
This was spoken with a haughty bridling of
the neck and a mock-whisper as if for the
eunuch’s ear alone, but sufficiently loud for
all in the room to hear it, and caused a gen
numerous young women in the palace than
an occasional prostration of mock ubeisance
as they happened to meet.
The time at length arrived for their intro
duction t*> the king, into whose presence they
were carried one at a time. The method of
determining precedence was by the drawing
of lots. Many had already drawn higher
numbers than her own and been rejected,
and at length it can* * to her turn to uppear
before the king. But notwithstanding her
anxious fears lest a queen should he chosen
before her turn should come around, her del
icate nature, now that her long desired pre
sentation had arrived, shrunk from the or
deal and trembled to know her hopes were
realized.
“Now , my little mistress,'' said Hagai en
tering her chamber, “the die nee which I
have long desired you should have is afforded
you; for I say with truth, had it reste 1 with
me, you should have been queen before this.
You have been the most gentle, respectful
and manageable of the w hole collection, and
in my judgment are the most worthy to sit
in Vashti's place. But the king cannot fail
to see the modes' graces that confer more on
beauty than beauty lends to them. B * care
ful to adorn.your person with taste and ele
gance, and be not insipidly timid in the
king's presence, but with modest attention
comprehend his questions and answer him
with ready cleverness. Wear not the mien
of an awe-stricken slave, but of virgin mod
esty before a lover. Now choo-e the orna
mentis you would wear."
“1 have already chosen them," she replied,
with < yes >tili bent in thoughtfulness upon
tiie flour. “This dress must be more accept
able to the king’s good taste, than one cov
ered with tawdrv and • it ■* rii
“WhatN’asked the eu:Mich won n>: nn>h
ment : “you surely are n
fend the king in advano
of disrespect. ; No sudden departure fix
tabhshed customs and fashions can please
the king, or any one else: and you are to
consult tin* king's pleasure in this, not your
own.”
“ Then, " replied Esther, “ do you, who
better understands the king's taste, choose
for me.”
“A sweet and sensible girl," said the eu
nuch, highly' flatten'd, “and you shall not
repent the deference.”
His mind seemed accordingly to be bent on
every expedient to add a new charm if pos
sible to Esthers beautiful person. The dress
he selected for her was of the lines]; silk dyed
in the richest and most splendid colors, em
broidered with gold, and almost literally-
covered with the most brilliant gems. Her
glossy hair was studded with clusters of
glittering diamonds and a small crown of
w hite ostrich feathers, with flowers of silver
holding sets of inmumerable tiny brilliants,
encircled her beautiful brow. Her arms and
w rists were clasped with sparkling bracelets
and her lingers adorned with costly rings.
Her small feet were covered with slip
pers of silver cloth and her round and
tapering ankles wore broad clasps of silver
and pearl. A purely white vail w rought in
flowers of silver was next thrown over her
w hole person, and Esther was now prepared
to appear l»efore the king.
Artaxerxes still retained the impression
the f tseinating charms of Esther had made
upon him, and often dwelt with unsatisfied
doubts on her inexplicable conduct towards
him. Sometimes he almost resolved to ex
continued on ^th page.
Would you «* I
mark