The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-09-16
For the National Era.
FATHER ROMANS ANGEL
ny ELIZA l.. spRoAT.


man. What freak Of conscience or what
strange accident of fate, had led him thus to in
vest his youth in all its glorousness no one could
say it was not crime, his brow each morning
shone too plainly with the night angels kiss of
peace it was not coward Slothfulness. for never
the sun came peeping SO early that it found
him not 1T books or toll it was not that com.
pound of all selfshness, miSanthropy. for scarce
ly on the face of mother, or angel. or little
child, could be found a lovelier smile of trust
ing welcome than greeted the pilgrim to Fa-
Their Romans cave.
And 1t was not strange. as YOU will agree,
that many should claim the eyer.ready wei
come; for, apart from the certain gain to NOR
bid, dyspeptc souls of commune with true
and healthy spirit there was here a further
charm-to which few human hearts are proof
the charm of mystery.
There was something to see in Father Ro-
mans cave; pilgrims, when questioned gave
vague answers concerning it there was a
something, there was demon, there was an
angel, there was nothing 80 they replied but
the villagers observed that when, at rare in
teryals, one said that he had seen the angel,
the face of that man ever after wore look of
inward prescience, as it, amid the chaos of
doubts and terrors, and vague manswerabe
questions that haunt the human brain, some
one certainly abode with him eyermore.
SO, coolly dscarding all answers that disa-
greed with their solutions, the villagers chose
to believe that there really tdS an angel in
Father Romans cave.
! went to see'
was young then, and youth is arrogant of
its powers ! said, will not only see, but solve,
this mystery of the cave
stood in the hermit's cell and told my err
rand the old man smiled upon me thought
fully. "And thou wouldst discover the secret
of my cavern 2" he said in gentle incredulity.
"ThOu wOuld'st solve at glance the riddle
which Life has not sufhced me to compre-
hend-and yet it might he; | say not : | prom.
Use thee naught. There be who, looking with
the eyes of expectant faith, have therefrom
gained closer certainty and fuller peace; there
be who have found naught-many look few
see :" and as the hermit led me farther back
into the narrowing, darkening cavern, he
musingly repeated" Many look, few see'
Pause" said the old man: the cavern wi
dened in the gloom one strong sunbeam soping
down the darkness like ball of fire. Glove a
precipice at my feet reaching down and down,
till it broke with a sort Of visible crash upon a
surface of water, crystal calm
81 call it my world, said the hermit, smi.
ling Was this all +! gazed with longing, dis.
appointed eyes into the crystal the depth baf
fled me; the light blinded me; yet | was not
unconscious of a Something's mere vague
shadowing, a halfartioulate voice which echo
ed strangely to the hidden ifhaginings of my
heart.
looked again-something had troubled the
waters dreams are more distinct than the
vague, uncertain, changing, troubled counte-
nance, which met and melted from NV gaze.
And again it took FORM and dimly shone with
human hopes, and aims, and home-thoughts, and
jealOusies, and the meanest little secret human
plots and triumphs; it pictured, withal a fitful
struggling stumbling purpose of good it spoke
the often-baflled, ever-eager, Whu that makes
the animal human; it breathed through all the
deathess discomfort, which proves the human
divine.
What seest thou f' said the hermit. an
swercd, Little
"And what dost thou comprehend an-
swered, "Naught"
And, again, he thoughtfully murmmed, self
communing, "Many look few see0
glanced around the cave; my eyes, grown
used to the darkness perceived other pilgrims
drawn by report or pleasure, or the uneasiness
Of their hearts
And here also noticed, for the first time,
huge old piece of rock, 80 situated as to he "a
support to those who would lean across the
water. This rock was considered an essential
by most Of the pilgrims, rs after
wards found
spoke of pilgrims but the very first of these
10 whom the father beckOned, dispelled at once
my preconceyed ideas Of a pilgrim proper
He was a shalow-eyed, mean-faced man,
with certain kind Of earthly cunning in his
,ountenance. He seemed TO be made of cold,
flesh, and looked altogether not un-
ike an old potato He spread his lean hands
oosely on the rock, but found it rather hard to
Keep them from slipping on that support, which
indeed in the course OF ages, was growing
somewhat Shiny
Before he looked beneath. his attention was
taught by the appearance of jewel.sparkles in
he crevices he also examined the peculiar |
ormation and capabilities Of the rock itself |
,ver which he pondered some time with Yam |
zee expression Of cOnntenance. At last he |
hook his head dismissed the subject, and be-
gan to look curiously into the water.
What he saw we know not that the sight |
him. we gathered from his frequent |
nuttered expressions Of suspicion and disgust |
lie appeared to be watching with a disdainiul |
interest some many-sided game Of manGuvre-
ny, and to be equally indignant ut all the par
les concerned
"Ah, what meannessi!" he now calculated.
"There again. -. ! couldn't have
Ha ha, Ia! There's simpletOn done
>. Oh no, bypocr;ka x.bot IiJ NON |
xpect to gain by hatf"
While apparently absorbed in his indigna-
ion, noticed that he had taken modest Oppor-
unities Of secreting specimens, not only OF the
principal rock but Of the surroundings gener-
lily; this accomplished, he stepped aside, and,
With deoorous bow TO his successor took his
eat and observed.
A pretty young gentleman, adorned with
garments Of the daintest tit and texture, now
aid his gloved hand delcately on the rock.
ie must have experienced a variety Of illu-
ions: in the first place, and without any ap-
aren't cause he threw himself into quite
cries of graceful attitudes; then he smacked
lis lips, as il savory dinner passed in review
eiore him. then a change came DER the spirit
{ his dream" his head inclined gently 10 one
ide; he smiled all over, and appeared TO be in
kind of weakly ecstacy. At length he spoke.
"Adored creature" he sweetly murmured,
how may hope to-
"Cease!n said the hermit, loudly and stern
2; and at his voice the young person sudden
7 collapsed, disappeared, and was seen no
lore.
Then came gloomy-looking man, with
.rgs loose joints, and damp black hair, and
one-colored complexion, with stonegreen cir