The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-11-11
SONORA. TUOT4UMNE COUNTY, NOVEMBER LII, 1871


in, would rob one of all his manhood. Melo-
dy ceased. BY night, all about his dwelling
was hushed. But by the wondering neigh
bors. 10 at midnight was seen in his yard.
standing before structure fashioned like a
music-desk. by him lantern, before him
charts. rules, and comrasses, and DO glane,
ing with specialized ewes alternately up to the
stars or down toward the maps. 10 had
been seized with sudden passion for assrono-
nv, and was tracing out the considerations.
Some of the "boys" stole. one day; into Jos
apartment. and, with pen and ink. on Ills
celestial charts, constructed some new stars
of the first magnitude He soon accused
modern astronomy of not keeping strict
watch on newly-come worlds. This grand
and stately mistress 10 deserted for Terp-
schore. The daneing-master organized his
winter campaign in camp. 10 joined the
class. and plunged into the use, philosophy
and profit of dancing. mot only, said he,
lis it necessary accomplishment for gen
tleman. but il is an agreeabls method OF cul-
tivating order, exactness, and precision. Ii
was an order of motion. timed to music. Or
der was heavens first law. Hence, to attain
that cohtented condition of mind, the only
true heaven, all should learn TO dance.
The ladies said be was most trying part
ner, from his propensity during the quadrIlle
TO waltz off into other sets. JOS era OF uns-
versal requirement ceased altogether. a POI
litical campaign drew near; Jo became az
ardent partisan, and announced himself as
candidate for the District Attorneysh;p.
Il feel, " said he, as together, one night.
we strolled on the outskirts of camp, THAT
am designed by Nature for public prosecu-
ttor; for | am able. in any ease, condition, or
circumstance, to divest myself of all pity,
sympathy, or bias. and just sock IL alike TO
friends or enemies
His was the most unblushing audacity.
1t scared into the sublime. During the sing
ing of our choir, 10 always turned squarey
around, adjusted his eyeglasses, folded his
arms, and faced the music, the remainder
of the congregation, their faces still modesty
turned toward the pulpit. serving for him as
a sort of bas-relief. Il want to see the
source of the melody" said he, in extenua-
ton. ''Custom says, Face the minister, and
let the girls sing away at our backs. Why
Face the minister? He's doing nothing
It's the choir who have the floor. Custom
lang custom Customs tTyant. I'm a
free man, and I'll make my own customs"
Then ne made audible comments on the
sermon, to be heard for several pews around.
"His premises are false his conclusions are
not valid" he would remark TO me, abiding
to the minister. | vibrated to the other per-
ncous extreme of difidence, ard these critl-
cal explosions of JOS, in church, drove me
into perspiratory conditions alternately hot
and cold.
Heaven was once the theme. 30 heard at
tentively, and after service was unusually
Ii,ent. Monday morning, stillin his abstract
ed mood head bowed down hat damned over
his forehead, he met on the street the pastor.
"Mr.-," said he, Il listened, yesterday,
with interest to your discourse. You give,
however, to heaven no precise locality. Now,
think I've worked that out. L place 1t at
from thirty-three to forty-ive miles from the
EARTH and reason it out thus: Angels are
the residents of heaven. Angels are always
pictured with wings. Wings are useless save
in an atmosphere. l have no proof that
there is any other atmosphere than that en-
veloping our earth. So, from these data, |
conclude that heaven must be. say about
thirty-three miles above u.s." The minister
bowed, smiled. and passed, on.
Jc is long since dead. That restless, ac-
tive, inquiring, yet impatient, mind, tretted
itself out of the body, perhaps for lack of
field for its activity, perhaps for lack of
knowledge in the training of its power. But
many year after JOS death, the "boys, ]"
while talking him over, would allow that he
was. indeed, a loss never TO be replaced.