"Then I shall proceed without delay to explain my singular conduct, and,
in making these developments, I am confident I shall share the sympathies
of my kind friend. To-night my heart has been almost rent with contending
emotions. I have been well-nigh overwhelmed with both sadness and joy.
During my long residence in this part of the world a degree of mystery
has hung over myself and family, and even to-day my country and origin
are not known. For many years past I have had strong doubts in regard to
the wisdom of this course of secrecy. The time has at last arrived when
my life history must be divulged.

"In the first place, then, let me inform you that I am a Hebrew. I was
born of noble and wealthy parents who lived within the metropolis of
Judah. I was the pride of my father, and by my mother I was almost
idolized. Being of a lively temperament I was fond of company and
overfond of amusements. I was sent to one of the city's leading halls of
learning and found but little trouble in mastering my studies. I was
early thrown into the companionship of those who had not the fear of God
before their eyes. I drank in their spirit, and, consequently, the yoke
of parental authority became painful to my youthful neck. My affection
for parents and near relatives was strong, and it was not without a hard
struggle that I yielded to the enticements of older transgressors.
Gradually I became the willing companion of youths whose chief object
was amusement.

[image 4]

"One night we tarried together until a late hour and several of my
companions indulged freely in wine. Before we left the scene of our
carousal they had become quite boisterous. I was more sedate than usual,