How the king reigned in Ariel ...

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Chapter I A Night's Ramble

Visions of The Night — or Day Dr earns j which f Lo, the things I beheld are true.

NIGHT in a forest. I had been from my boyhood — aye in my manhood — a coward in the dark — so when I saw the tall dark trees where ever I turned — I surely stood there in a shiver of fear. Below my feet rich grasses, wet with night dews — and to my nostrils came the scent of flowers, a score of scents — the smell of the trees — the smell of bushes — the smell from the thousand flowers I could not see but I knew must be all about me — and as the tribute of the flowers rolled in on my quivering nerves the sense of fear faded away — and a holy calm fell on my mind. My eyes became accustomed to the surroundings — for the light of the stars stole here and there through the branches — the thick branches overhead— and I stood in a twilight land. And such silence — A profound calm — (not a painful, apprehensive silence) everywhere — the world most surely was asleep — asleep without a single care to cross the sleeper's mind — and make them stir restlessly with even the echo of sorrow — or a single thought foreshadowing of a bitter tomorrow. Nature asleep — Nature at rest — no cry, no sigh, no motion to fret in any measure, the benediction of a blessed calm. No tree top rustled — no leaf stirred, no branch cracked, no twig snapped, no breath of wind, no murmur of a zephyr — motion had died — and all silence. No stir of bird, no rustle in the nest, no owl cry, no bat-wing — no creature — man, nor beast, nor fowl, nor bird, nor insect to break the wonderful calm. And yet my heart, my soul knew well that Life wonderful, life multitudinous was all around me — not a dead tree, nor branch, nor bramble, nor flowers, nor flower, nor smallest tiniest blade of grass dead — all around me mysterious life, but life at rest, at ease, in slumber sweet.

And of a sudden — from some tree branches of a glade not far away — there burst a melody of song — a song of life, of joy, of gladness, of delight, of praise, until the woods were full of it, and every tree, and brush, and grass, and flower were all listening to it — and in their dreams felt the rich pulsations of that song — the song of a nightingale. It was a prayer, a hymn of praise, and as I listened my soul too as of a bird felt beneath itself — wings wherewith to upwards soar — and, lo, the bird and my soul surely stood in the Presence of our God.

But of creature life I heard no sound, no breathing, no motion — slumber was not disturbed to the trembling of an eyelash.

And I stepped out — I knew not where — I heeded not the compass point, simply an inclination to move on.

Then, lo, the trees grew less thickly — the brightness overhead more distinct, more gracious, my feet stood in an open place — suddenly again a great fear on me — for, lo, there in my pathway a most gorgeous colored snake — with every scale as it were a small jewel glistening, in one vast coil. The flattened head was right before me, we were face to face. I started back — I expected to see the flash of eyes, the nervous fangs, the quivering of the folds — and the fatal spring — But no motion — was it dead? no, living jeweled thing — one could see the pulsation of Hfe in every fold, it beheld me, but gave no sign of anger.

And what was that a few feet further on — no mistaking the tawny colored things — the one full maned, the paws stretched out, the great head resting on the paws, another great creature, maneless, and by her, motionless, a pair of cubs. The Lion surely in my path — and there — I started, put up my fingers to brush from mine eyes the foolish fancy of my brain — there close to the Lion lay a calf — and not a foot from there a lamb — and all, all this strange company in a profound peaceful slumber. At first came the thought to flee — to turn swiftly from this seemingly dangerous place — but on my soul came a perfect assurance, and e'er I were aware I had passed close to the snake, stood by the lion, so standing in their midst — and then securely safe, stepping out, stood beyond them. And so continued my way — and before me the woods more thickly stood, I was entering again where the tall trees stood closer together and their thick branches overhead shut out the Hght of the brilhant sky.

For overhead the heavens were without a cloud, full of stars, and from one portion of the sky, which I deemed the East, a strange peculiar reflected gleam — as if from a many hued sun, or moon — the light a mingling of the colors of the rainbow. Now as I stepped from the open to the darker place I suddenly stumbled against a gigantic body — bewildered for a moment — but instantly I knew that mass which barred my pathway was a living creature — yes, there a mighty white tusked elephant in slumber lay. He stirred not at my stumble over him — slept on all unconscious of my fall and fright — and; lo, my eyes, growing more accustomed to the twilight of the overhanging branches — beheld, all around me a sleeping herd of elephants. I turned not back, but right through the midst of the sleeping animals my feet went forward, turning aside now to the right, now to the left, to avoid treading on their feet and so found a safe passage way. They lay in every conceivable manner — all shapes, all sizes, long tusked fathers, smaller mothers and babies of all ages. On through a breadth of silent wood, with stately trees above my head — until at last I stood where the woods ended and the open country of hill, and dale, and valley, swept far away beyond my kin. But e'er I stepped to the open mine eyes again beheld — a beautiful spotted leopard, a black bear lying on the grass, all in slumber; and not a score of yards from them a group of half a dozen oxen, a flock of sheep — and.

nay, would mine eyes credit it — there lay a yellow striped tiger stretched out in full; and there with his body lying on the tiger, as if on a mat, with a little .hand on the paw of the great cat — his curled head resting on the tiger's head — a boy child fast asleep — but the tiger's eyes shone like living balls of fire, watchful, keen, alert, watching the child's slumbers. He knew I was looking at the twain, for, lo, the graceful tail rose gently and patted the grass, as if by that sign he would say to me — I welcome you — be not afraid.

I noticed that all the trees were very symmetrical, not scraggy in limb, nor distorted in the trunk — but trees which seemed to have been taken care of from their first sprouting.

I was now approaching a clump of trees, in height of a more dwarfish appearance than those I had passed by ; there came to me the scent of ripening fruit — I was soon walking amid apple, peach and plum trees. I noticed quite a number of orange trees — in bud, in blossom and with fruit of all stages of ripening. I plucked a peach — how luscious — it melted in my mouth like fresh sweet cream.

And here again a surprise for on the ground I beheld some half a dozen sleeping forms — I stood several minutes to gaze on them — were they homeless, poor outcasts compelled to take shelter in the woods for want of house shelter? But a quick examination dispelled such a thought — for the woman's dress was of rare purple, the man's dress bespoke no ways

10 HOW THE KING EEIGNED IN ABIEL

of poverty — the four children of various sizes — a family group who had lain down to sleep in the woods. Were they then so far from human habitation that night had overtaken them? Yet their dress bore no soil, nor stain of travel — the rather they had come only a little distance and from sheer love of the open air had here taken repose — the flowers in the hands of the little ones, the chaplet of flowers around the mother's head — the branches of varied ripened fruits nearby, as if thrown down carelessly — all denoted not travelers but pleasure seekers. No watch dog, no guard to warn of any foeman, nor beast — it was a scene denoting the utter absence of fear on the part of the entire family. As I passed on, not a score of paces away, a large beast stretched out full length, and by its side, his right hand entwined in the yellow mane — a youth and lion fast asleep, boon and fellow companions — the bush end of the lion's tail covering the boy's feet.

I went on — and soon before me stretched the open cultivated country. I had not wandered far until I came to, in the open field, a mighty heap of winnowed grain. And here a herd of cattle — oxen, cows and calves lying down peaceably at the edge of the grain heap, showing plainly that they had eaten a hearty meal not of the stubble but of the large kernels of wheat. And came the thought, surely I must be in an exceedingly fruitful country where the cattle can eat winnowed grain.

Chapter II No Watchman Crieth In The Street

E> ER the morning light tinted the East I stood in the City — stood evidently in the very center of the mart — but it was most assuredly a deserted City. From the time my feet entered its outskirts and all along the wide street, surely for a mile or more, not a person crossed my path nor looked at me from store, nor door, nor window. The streets ample and wide — Along the sidewalks trees of shade, standing there motionless, not a leaf stirring, as if they too slept. No policeman met I — and no sound of watchman's foot, nor voice. Here were buildings massive, stately with an air of stability. None of the buildings over three stories I should judge by the range of windows. A uniformity in the long line of buildings on either side — not but that the buildings differed in architectural effect, for indeed hardly any two buildings alike in design showing a wonderful display of multiplicity of .effect — but one and all built in a manner and of such material as would not seem aged had the summers and winters of a century kissed them. And this spot surely the center of the City, for in this place a wide circular space of ground, a plot of flowers in full bloom, with a large fountain, rich with carved figures and statuary, the waters falling with a soft splash in the marble basins. Some trees of shade, not tall but rather dwarfish in height — still high enough for the passer by to linger under their shadows, there were seats for resting scattered all around the circle. All the streets radiated from this circle; and every street met at the outskirts if followed brought surely the feet to the central spot.

I noticed one of the Buildings facing this pleasure and resting spot was most beautiful. Of highly polished onyx stones — the columns on which the facade of the building rested of red and green porphyry — it was a building of simple lines yet of a rare magnificence. I went anear, and standing on the street right in front, saw the words in golden letters along facade Branch of The Bank Universal. A flight of marble steps, highly polished, led to the business floor — I ascended and was rather surprised to see the portals had no door, the entrance way stood open, no bar, nor chain to hinder. Just as my feet touched the level of the floor, I saw some animal crouched in the passage way which opened to the interior. A monster dog surely — was this the watch dog? I hesitated, and as I did the creature moved, slowly rose to its feet — and, behold, the largest and most beautiful leopard that I had ever seen. Slowly the creature came towards me, I could distinctly hear its purr, the purr of a pleased cat, the tail switched from side to side gracefully, and then it stopped, stretched out its paws, crouched down half way its head and forefront

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of body — was it about to spring on me? but no, one has seen a cat suddenly awaken from slumber stretch itself in such a manner — another minute and it was rubbing its head against my legs — softly purring like a pleased cat welcoming its master. It lifted up its eyes to mine — how they sparkled like a pair of jewels — but no fierce glitter of hate nor rage there — the leopard was giving me a welcome. Unconsciously my hand patted the sleek, velvety head; and then, as if it wanted more sleep it crouched down taking no further notice of me. And so I entered in the building — the great hallway, graced by pillars, ran through the entire building — a most spacious and lofty hall — with large chambers on either hand, and down on either side, except where passage ways broke in, long wide marble counters, behind which no doubt in day time the men stood to do the service required by any person who called on them. On entering one of the chambers my eyes lit on long marble tables, or tables with boxes, the outer edges higher than the center and there a mighty pile of yellow metal — golden coins until one stood amazed at the amount. No door, no bar, no chain, no bolt, no vault, no strong box — but there millions on millions to the touch, to the handle of the comer. Where was the watchman, nay the score of watchmen? What wild madness for any owner to leave such almost uncountable wealth, scattered there to touch and sight of profane hands and eyes. I stood there — listened for cry or foot of guardian but over all a stillness most profound — nature asleep — yet no thought of death or desolation came to the mind, I knew, I felt a world of life was anear — but I could neither see, hear, nor feel of life's pulsations. My hand touched a coin — a broad gold piece — on one side a raised design showing an olive branch emblem of Peace, on the reverse — a lion with a single Hebrew word beneath — which I knew stood for — "J^i'i-^salem". I let the coin fall from my fingers and suddenly there was a shimmering, and clinking of gold pieces, as if a shower — it startled me — and yet the falling coin only happened to strike some coin which held many a coin in place — the clinking awoke some echos — for it ran around the chamber, then aloft as if chiming bells had borne the sound to lofty upper places, then the settled calm silence as before. And so this, the Bank where the City's treasure stood to open stare of every passer by, to touch of any wanderer's hand, whose footstep led them here.

Out to the city street again — and as I passed the stores I noticed now not a door to hold the passers' feet from entering in. By the display in the windows this must be a jeweler's mart — I entered in and surely the place was all ablaze with jewels, piled here and there in trays on the counter, such a variety of blazing things — of every color dreamed or thought of — colored stones of colors I never saw before — and, as a boy would, I bathed my hands in the jewels, full of stones lifted hands, and poured them down a stream of wondrous light. Gems scattered around in almost studied confusion of size, design, polish — finished and unfinished stones — some showing the lapidary's unfinished work — perchance the evening closing hour had come e'er hand had finished the wanted design. And here no guardian — but the same silence. I touched some of the jewels — never had I touched such stones before, tenderly took up one — it was such a gracious one — it lay in the palm a bright red blaze — nay, it looked as if the outer casing, glory held within, an imprisoned liquid light that ran hither and hither as if looking for some vein to escape.

Again in the street — and this a store of Dry goods — I passed dov/n the way between the counters — such rich and rare silks, satins, brocades, such heaps of lace, most delicate, airy cobwebs of surely patterns exquisite. Bewildered at such profusion of stuff for women's wear, I had never seen nor dreamed of before. And so from store to store — from place to place — craftsman's handiwork displayed — and everywhere the fear of theft seemed never had entered the owner's head. Everything lay as if let fall gently, suddenly from the hand of seller and buyer when a certain hour had come. As if seller and buyer walked out of shop, and store, without ever one thought of hiding or guarding the most precious things, a careless act to do. And came the thought — no thief in all this City — the fear of wrong from any hand seems foreign to the owners of these things. But while I reveled mine eyes mid these unguarded treasures th.e morning had come — the moon had paled, and sunshine lay up the street.

Hark ! a peal of bells — and now from every side — the joy bells ringing, as if chiming bells circled the City — yet distant chimes — but melodious, clear, that set the air palpitating with the motion of music.

Whence came it? I saw neither Bells nor ringers — I beheld The Bank Building with a high tower it stood above the surrounding buildings — quickly I clitered, ran swiftly up the winding stairway — and, lo, I stood above the main circling buildings — and there all around the outskirts of the City, behold, the dwelling place of men. A distance — but so clear the atmosphere I could distinguish objects as if to mine eyes had been held the sharpest glass. And, lo, before the doorway of every dwelling place, that I could see, stood human beings — of all ages — the Father, the Mother, the Boys, the Girls — Then suddenly it came — a sound of song of mighty volume — fdling all space, leaping upward, the glad song lark like — confusion and discord absent — thousands were singing — aye, a hundred thousand voices — bass, alto, soprano and tenor blending together — a song of thankfulness and praise. I stood there thrilled in body, soul and spirit — drinking in every fiber — that melody sounding louder than the mighty ocean in wildest tumult- — but sweet as if a child had caught an angel's song from Paradise and sung it flawless. It ended — and it were like the closing of the lattice work of the gates of Paradise, so no sound came forth — and I descended as one intoxicated with joy, as if not treading on earth, but in palpitating air.

Chapter III

Bread, meat and fruit to all was free, And open wide heart's door — Who suppeth with the King shall see No want for ever more,

SAUNTERING leisurely down one of the streets, stopping now and then at a store window to observe some strange novelty — suddenly was brought to my mind — that in all my City wanderings I failed to see three things — so prominent in all so called Christian Cities the world over — Namely: No Saloons, No Drug stores, and not a sign either on window, door, or hanging plate — telling where a Physician, Doctor or Specialist could be found. Was I not mistaken on that point? — surely this Trinity that cursed and blest humanity was not absent — I had simply passed them in a fit of abstraction. I turned, went to the next steeet, and faced back to the centering space with quickened footsteps — peering at every house, of either side of the street — at last I stood in the circle, swept my eyes keenly around — from top front window to basement — and there was no disputing the fact of the utter absence so far as I had noticed — of Dram Shop, Drug store and Doctor's sign.

But I was no longer alone — the sound of many feet in the air, I saw scores of men coming up the various streets, some entering the distant stores, some entering the various buildings facing the circle — some entering in the bank. And quickly I noticed they were the Janitors, store cleaners — One thing again noticed I — not a single woman among them — They were all tall, well formed men, with a free, swinging, independent gait — and all the perfect picture of health. I could see that the work of sweeping, dusting etc. was quickly and rapidly performed. Yet not in silence — for from that store a snatch of melody — from this store the merry whistle of a heart free of care. And soon a louder tramp of feet, and troops of men came up the various streets entering in the different stores. And among the various hundreds of clerks not a single person under twenty years of age — and not a single woman. A business race of young men — and every face I beheld without the care worn look — without a frown on lip, in eye, or drooping corners of the mouth. And then I suddenly noticed for the first time — the utter absence of electric, Cable or horse cars. I looked along various streets but not a sign of a steel rail — so then without a doubt all these men had walked from their homes to their place of business. And such men — all perfect specimens of humanity — red cheeks, red lips, bright eyes, fresh faces, open, clear, with mostly a smile to greet the passing one. And all dressed neatly, some in loose garments, some in close fitting ones, of material as varied as colors in a rainbow.

A very race of athletes — quick in step, firm in tread, swift of motion — a cripple, a deformed person of any kind not seen among the hundreds — aye, thousands now that could be covered by a sweeping glance of eye. And now the hum of machinery — the low buzz of countless wheels, and spinning shafts, and gliding belts — The work of the day had commenced. Then I noticed the absence of towering chimneys, and utter absence of trailing smoke. I would find the factories. So in the direction where the loudest hum of wheels came from, my feet I turned. And soon a large building caught mine eye — not tall, but covering much ground, and many windowed, it stood with trees of shade flanking each side, and a space between street and building where grew countless flowers, some rich in color, and some rich in sense of sweetness. I entered one of the doors, a spacious room indeed, of high ceiling, and cheerful with the light of a score of open windows — letting in the brilliant sunshine and the pure, invigorating morning air. And what a world of spindles — with cotton in all the various processes of becoming thread — up a flight of stairs, and here another lordly chamber with a hundred looms weaving, and ever weaving fabrics of a score of colors, sizes, shapes, designs to clothe and make a service for humanity. And then the strangeness of it — not a child either boy nor girl — aye, not a woman toiling in the entire building. All comparatively young men, bright, keen, alert — cheerful faces.

intently interested each man in his work. I wandered unquestioned up and down the building — beheld the rough cotton, the making of the thread, the dyeing of the various colors, the weaving, the assorting, the packing — and in every department an utter absence of loafing, carelessness, indifference — but all doing the very best, giving the very best thought of brain, the deftest working hands. And this went steadily on, no slavish service, but business linked with a pleasure of performing an alloted task with best that in them lay.

Then a whistle — a score of whistles in the air — a sudden stoppage of wheels — noon had come — and time for noon time meal. Then each man to the Lavatory, the splashing of water, the rubbing of towels — and out, some alone, some in groups, all to the nearest restaurant for no cold lunches here, no one lingered in the building, no eating bits and scraps. I followed to a Restaurant and from the doorway saw the various tables, around which seated friends, joined in joke, in wit, in conversation. A good natured crowd, no cursing, no harsh word, no angry scowl if one table served before another. Here the utter absence of haste. Each and all contented for the other to be served — No special tables, no special bill of fare, no large or smaller portions. The meat rich and juicy, the vegetables fresh, the bread a dainty morsel, and the native wines, the milk, the tea, the coffee of the best and most delicious. Curiosity drew my feet to the circle — here surely the great magnates would lunch in state, but not so, for companionship blossomed here to a most healthy flower. The Managers sat with their cronies — who may be an artist, an author of world wide fame — or may be the lowest clerk — but a clerk who had the power to fascinate with conversation or social attractiveness, winning the heart and mind of others to cheerful comradeship. Then here an utter absence of foolish dignity — a socialism of the purest kind, but not of the absurd kind, that would make all mankind of a dull level.

One could readily see — that men were reverenced for the nobler gifts of humanity, a homage paid to some for intellectual attainments — natural gifts that God gave to some, withholding from others — but when the Greatest met the smaller it was in one common bond of brother ship — brothers all loving one another — Some brothers acknowledging a superiority, a heaven given gift given to another brother- — a homage paid sincerely, a homage received without pride of soul and domineering manner. And then no seeming eagerness to rush back to toil — surely an ample space of time to rest of any weariness from early toil. Then a whistle, a hundred whistles — and back to Bank, to store, to factory — and again in the whirring of ten thousand wheels in the air. Did I feel hungry? when the toilers had departed I entered in one of the Restaurants. I sat down by a table and up came a waiter — or evidently the head waiter if not the manager. With a smile : "Do you wish to be served. Friend!" I nodded my head — in a few minutes a good repast, smoking, sat before me. I ate heartily, everything tasting most delicious to the palate — good fare and good cooking. When I had finished — suddenly came the thought — Wherewith to pay with? I vainly searched my pockets — not a single coin. Evidently the manager nearby noticed my confusion. He stood there smiling: "No money, my friend — let it not trouble thee — No man in The King's realm may want for bread. Nay, no apology — thy word is enough — I think thou art a stranger in our gates ? And you know the King said : Tt is more blessed to give than receive,' therefore on me the favor conferred, as you have honored my table, so think not of future payment."

Chapter IV Were All Men Liars?

I HAD some conversation with mine host; and perceiving I was a total stranger in new surroundings — he kindly said that he was at my service for sometime (as his cares for the day about over) to answer as best he could any questions I should ask. He proposed to sit in the shade near the great central fountain, and there on an easy seat, side by side we sat. A most delightful spot — with the music of the falling water murmuring in our ears. I observed :