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Show --K":-:-'::"X-:-:-:"VM":-::-:---k-j I QUEER QUIRKSi IN HUMAN f I DESTINY I I - .j. By HARRY R. CALKINS .. -x-xwk:---:-x-:-x-x-m-x--:- V.U service When Tyranny Met Death STUBBORN refusal of a tyrant to Interrupt a carousal to read a message of warning brought about his I death and in consequence Thebes became be-came one of the greatest cities of Greece, and Sparta, overlord of the country, vvns humiliated. Thebes had been delivered Into the hnnds of Sparta by the treason of Leontlades, a polemarch of the city, who opened Its gates and delivered the Thebans to their foes before they were able to strike a blow. I'lominciit Thebans fled to Athens where a Utile group of patriots began plotting to j recover their city. Armed resistance was beyond their power and discour- agement settled upon them. j 1 At Thebes Llontiudes and his ; friends, Archias, I'hilippu.s and Ily-pntes Ily-pntes ruled with the support of a Spartan garrison. One night while Archias and Philipnus were feasting. 1 a message was delivered to Archias j containing news that seven consp'.rn- J tors had arrived In Thebes and would j visit him disguised as dancing girls Intending to slay him nnd his guest, i I'lillippus. The messenger Insisted that j the missive was urgent, but Archias declined to read It, declaring that ' I he was bent on pleasure and business j could wait until tomorrow. Into the room were led three "high- i born damsels" and four attendants. J garbed as females. Archias selected i one and raised her veil to behold n bearded face. Before he could exclaim in surprise, a dagger was thrust to his heart. Diilippus fared likewise, ns did a third guest, who attempted to interfere. The seven conspirators, among whom were Pelopidas and Epamin-ondas. Epamin-ondas. who were later to become famous fa-mous as the leaders of the great revolt of all Greece against Sparta, then hurried to the home of Leontlades, Leontl-ades, whom tiiey killed In the presence pres-ence of his wife, and then to the home of Ilypates who fled to the roof where he. too, was slain. Next morning news of the tyrants' deaths spread through the city and the citizens arose to expel the Spartan garrison. The achievement of the daring dar-ing conspirators bad given Thebes Its freedom and all the liberty-loving Cities of Greece were inspired 'o rise and throw off the yoke of Sparta. How Plague Humbled Athens THE Long Wall of Athens, for many years the bulwark of her power, at last became the cause of the city's do'.vnfail. inviting Into the city a foe far more terrible than the cruel ami hardy Sp-rtans. The peloponncsian war followed the expulsion of the Persians from Greece. Fierce rivalry sprang up between the late allies, Athens and Sparta. Pericles, Per-icles, the Athenian sage. onunsekd dependence de-pendence upon the maritime supremacy suprem-acy of Athens. The fleet was main tained on a high standard of numbers num-bers and efficiency. To render Impotent Impo-tent the great ar.ny of Sparta, Athens strengthened her great wall, making It Impregnable r.galnst nnc-ient methods meth-ods of siege. Year after year, the Spartan army advanced Into Attica, laying waste the country, compelling farmers to take refuge In the city nnd then laying lay-ing siege to Athens.. It was n lmpe-less lmpe-less business. Snugly safe behind their great wall nnd protected at sea by their great fleet, the Athenians curried cur-ried on commerce without hindrance. The city strong boxes contained a mighty store of treasure and provisions pro-visions came regularly from across the sea. Spartans might rage nnd threaten In vain. Athenians laughed nnd Jested with their powerless foes. But there enme n yenr when the Spartans received nld from tin unexpected unex-pected nnd terrible source. The Spar-tnns Spar-tnns had Invaded Attica ns usual about the time crops were ripening In the fields. The space wllh'n the walls was crowded. Many families look refuge ref-uge In n single housp. Then ships from Asia brought the plague. The disease resembled the smallpox small-pox of modern limes. It den-ended j upon Its victims suddenly and usual- ' ly killed them within n week. Thov ' who survived were left idiots or 'Tip- ; pies. I'rimHive cures, consisting chief j ly bf charms and sacrifices, failed utterly. ut-terly. Among tlie victims was IVrlcIcs. The Spartan army withdrew to a distance dis-tance In fear of contagion. For two years Ihe plague raged ami then tl year and n half later It came again. Grime ami Immorality followed In Its wake and Hie greatness of Athens was laid low. It was many years before she again became a power In Giooee. worthy of the enmity en-mity of Sparta. |