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A Legend of Solomon. A Circassian Tradition. A long, long time ago, Solomon, the son of David, reigned over all created things. This wise and pow erful monarch understood all the languages of men, the cries of beasts the hiss of reptiles, the notes of birds, the speech of the lofty trees, and thesoft murmeroftheflowers. Solo mon had assigned to each creature his proper food. To some he had given the flesh of the weaker ani mals; to others the herbs of the field, or the fruits which ripen on tree or shrub. To the Serpent the son of David had said: "Thou shalt be nourished with the blood of man." And so the Serpent, hidden in the grass, watched for the approach of man, and sprang upon him in or der to drain his blood. The un happy mortals murmured so loud ly at this that the sound reached the ears of Solomon, who said to Man: "Why dost thou complain?" "Sire, the Serpent lives on our blood; our race will soon disap pear!" "Go, I will bear in mind thy pray er," replied the son of David. Solomon reflected long, and final ly he summoned all living crea tures to assemble in the midst of a great plain. The Lion, the Tiger, Wolf, the Horse, the Elephant, the Eagle, the Vulture, and thousands and thousands of other animals came at his bidding. Solomon sat on his throne and said: "I have called you here together to hear your complaints. Speak!" Man approached the throne, made his obeisance, and said. " Sire, I ask that the Serpent may be assigned some other animal for his food." "And why?" "Because I am the First of Be ings." At this the other animals began to protest; some roared, others growled, yelped, screamed or howl ed. "Be silent!" commanded Solo mon. "Let the Mosquito, the smallest of all creatures, find out which animal in all creation has the most delicate blood. Whosoever it ra ay be, even to that of Man, I swear to give it to the Serpent. A year from to-day we will meet again in this place to hear the decision of the Mosquito." The animals dispersed, and dur ing the twelve months the little in sect visited them all and tasted their blood. As the Mosquito was on his way to join the assembly of King Solomon, he met the Swal low. "Good-day, Swallow," said he. "Thou art well met, friend Mos- < qnito, whither fliest thou so swift ly?" "To the assembly of the Ani- i mals." i "Of course, I had forgotten the ■< mission with which our great King : charged you. Well, now, whose ( blood is most delicate?" "That of man." "That of—" I The mosquito was about to re peat the word when the Swallow, ' as soon as he opened his mouth, ' tore out his tongue. The mosqui- ; to. furious with pain, continued his flight, closely followed by the Swal low; and they arrived together be fore King Solomon. "Well," said the son of David, "hast thou tasted the blood of . every animal?" The insect made a sign in the af firmative. "Which then is the most deli cate? " Great was the embarrassment of the Mosquito, who, now that the Swallow had torn out his ton- I gue, could not reply. "Ksss — ksssss — ksssssss! " he buzzed. "What sayest thou?" "Ksss—ksssss —ksssssss!" again buzzed the Mosquito, in a frenzy. < Solomon was much puzzled un til the Swollow presented herself before the throne. "Sire," said she, "the Mosquito ( appears to have become suddenly dumb; but on the road hither he confided to me the result of his year's investigations." "Speak, Swallow!" commandad the King. "The Frog is the animal whose ( blood has the most exquisite flavor, so the Mosquito said. Is it not so, friend Mosquito?" continued the Swallow. "Ksss —ksssss —ksssssss!" buzz ed the insect. "It is well," said Solomon. 'Henceforward the Serpent will feed on the blood of the Frog, man can now live in peace." And the King dismissed the assembly. But the Serpent was not at all pleased with this decision; and as the Swallow passed him, chuckiing| at the success of her ruse, he dart- j Ed out upon her. She, however, gave him a smart blow with her wings, and he succeeded only in seizing her by the middle of her tail, which he tore asunder. Since that time the swallow's tail has been forked, and the Serpent has had to content himself with the blood of the Frog. And this is why man never likes the swallow, but gives her a shel ter under the eaves of his house, and looks upon her presence at his iearth as a happy presage.—[Lucy Garnett, in Independen *; ] "What makes old Gumbleton get so wrathy when his wife calls him 'Birdie'?" "She didn't adopt the name for him till hi s neighbors tarred and feathered him two years ago for not supporting her." First New Yorker. So you have got back from Chicago. I suppose you have learned a great deal. Second New Yorker. —Well.lhave learned how to get along on one meal a day.— Texas Sifitings. A. Rothschild, OF BVBRY I£IND, FOREIGN AND 1 OMESTIC, 615 Marshall St, - RICHMOND, VA. Deutsche Delicatessen, Kosher Meats, Sausages and Tongues. Orders from all parts of Virginia -and North Carolina will receive prompx attention. Complete price-list of goods on application. AGENT FOR THE QUEEN JEWEL HIGH OBADE PATENT FAMILY FLOUR SAM. L. ULLMAN. DEALER IN Staple and Fancy Groceries, 425 N. Sixth Street, 'Phone 637. N. P. COFER, BUCCEBSOR TO MOUNTCASTLE & COFER No. 520 E. Broad St., RICHMOND, Va. SPECIALTIES: SANITARY-PLUMBING, GAS AND STEAM FITTING, TINNING, LATROBE AND FURNACE WORK. GAS RANGES, STOVES * HEATERS, Also GAS RADIATORS, with instantaneous , Pilot Light; Handsome, Powerful, Brilliant and j l-conomical.