Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-04-06
MEMPHIS, TENN;
gThe Creetion OF the oaterpuIar.

4 IranSRreSSlOn, ana tne Bentle ABEL nai
already yielded up his life under tn
hand of his brother, the angel Of dealt
came to Jehovah and said: 1.-THE fla
of death is gone forth over the earth
and man doth show himself worthy o
his fate. Grant me then to create som,
beings for ministers Of destruction, ant
to change others that they may assis
me in my work"
Jehovah gave consent. Then the An
gel of the Lord descended, and gave Il
the lion the terrible claws and the blood
thirsty jaw; his roaring shook the felC
for the first time, and instead Of th'
curly hair, which once adorned his neck
the yellow name rolled over his shoul
ders. The tiger and the leopard, which
till then, had sported among the lambs
received the spotted skin, and with i
the raging thirst for blood. Vulture
and eagles screamed in the air, dealin,
death to other birds and weaker animals
In the crevices of the rocks lurked th'
venom-swelled viper. ~ tyit f44
The guardian angel Of the eartl
mourned, for there was dissensions il
nature. Even the angel of death shrunl
back before the creatures of his hand
But he consoled himself saying: Dotl
not man form his world for himself2 Ht
refused peace and quiet, and chose strife
and contentious. How can / be other
wise than terrible on the desecratet
earth p
Thus he said, and appointed the desert
for the dwelling place to the horrible
monsters, and the hours of night foI
their time of prey For with the celes
tial beings even severe justice is never
without love.
| Then the angel of destruction flew to
the habitations Of the first family of men,
and descended into little garden, where
Mira, the beloved and mourning sister
of Abel, grew flowers and trees; il was a
little picture of Eden, full of cool shade
and pleasant fragrance.
Thoughtfully the heavenly messenger
stood here, touched by the innocence and
love of Mira. Must cause new grief
to the gentle sufferer2" said he. Be it
So even from grief JOY bloometh for the
pious heart; and does not she also belong
to the fallen race? The seed Of sin is
everlasting. Here also mortality must
have its minister.
He lowered his rod and from the dust
which he touched issued a yeracious
caterpillar. The insect began immedi-
ately to eat the plants round about, and
to gnaw the flowers and leaves of the
nearest tree. Soon afterward Mira
came into the garden, and was terrified
on discovering the destruction made
among the plants and flowers. Butwhen
she approached and perceived the strange
creature gnawing the plants, Mira was
still more affrighted, and ran to her
brother Seth. Behold, she cried, "a
serpent eateth my trees crawling on the
branches"
Then Seth came into the garden, and
after having beheld the caterpillar, he
said: Not so, Mira. Fear has made
the creature more terrible in thine eyes
than it really is. The serpent crawleth
on its belly; but this thing has feet, and
is of another kind, living on leaves like
sheep. j will crush it with my foot"
Then the boy shook the tree, and the
caterpillar fell to the ground
"Ah, mol" implored Mira, kill it
not. Do we not also eat of the fruit of
the tree2 The creature knows not that
this is my garden and my delight.
Therefore slay it not; ! will give it
enough to eat that it may damage my
plants no more"
Then the boy said, "Are not all crea-
lures subject to us, and have we not
power over them to kill.
" But il is better, said MIRA, Ito
practice mercy and loving kindness than
violence. Let it live"
And Mira made an enclosure round
the caterpillar; and gave it morning and
night more leaves than it could eat.
When the heavenly messenger saw
this he was moved, and said, g Man has
not altogether lost the image of his
Maker. He is able TO bestow charity
even on an enemy, and to render good
for evil.
The angel stood thoughtfully, then he
said. +" 1t is meet that the good should |
receive the beautiful" He touched the |
worm with his rod and so the |
was endowed with the miracu-
lous power of building its own sepul- |
chre. All this was done about the time |
of twilight. M eha4tA VI e
The next morning at sunrise Mira
came into the garden and looked in the
enclosure for the caterpillar; but she
found it not.
"Qh, it is still asleep" said she in
childish wise, will not awaken it, but
collect leaves while the dew is yet on
Them
Then she went to gather leaves for its
food, for Mira had grown to love the
creature by doing it good; and all nature
was aeSF to her heart since Abel walked
With her no more, rIruf
When Mira came with the blossoms
and leaves TO feed the caterpillar, she
'ound the chrysalis bright and fair as
Iilvery cloud. She stood amazed; then
The called her father and mother, and all
he inmates of the house, and said,
Behold, what 2 creature | have bred
Now it is dead, lying ip wonderful
omb. Who knows whether it may not
,ome forth to life againl
Thus said Mira with prophetic spirit.
}gt she knew not that she had the gift
# prophecy. 4.
Adam, her father said "Who may
xplain this2 The beginning and the
nd is hidden from tie eyes Of men.
But this new thing may not be without
and wisdom. Come, let us
axe il into our hut. And they carried
he chrysalis into their habitation; and
iirsa said, Il am glad that have
ended it, even naia rs death.
Thus the coil Of the unknown creature
" in the habitation of men, and was to
hem an emblem of Abel, the first who