Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-01-24

possible to distinguish. All things were
possible on such a night. 1t was time
for miracles.
"Hark!' said one. did you not hear
cry ?"
Many were ready to aver that a cry
from the mountain top had toated down.
ward to the plain. But had such cry
been uttered, it was incredible that it could
have reached their ears. Reason would
have convinced them. They were the
slaves of imagination
Among them was the priest who had
visited the sinner. Ever and anon his
voice was heard in exhortation.
"Terrible was his sin. Terrible is his
expiation. Let the memory of the awful
deed remain forever In this dear island
home as Il sign, as warning. If tempta-
ton assail thee, drive ii forth. This SIN
ner has done all tsat mortal man could do !;
his repentance is sincere he has washed
his sin with tears of blood. His bloody
footsteps mark the path which leads to the
holy work he has performed. Christ be
merciful to him
And ali the congregation murmured,
''Christ be merciful to him-and to me,
a sinner !"
The snow mountain lay in the eye of the
east, and in the early morning the sun was
wont to battle the white expanse with rosy
light. So beautiful in this aspect did it
look that it seemed to belong to another
and more lovely world. As the night pro-
crossed, the watchers grew more excited
and eager.
"Is it not time for the sun to rise y
some asked.
'.Not till another hour has passed, re-
piled the more patient ones.
Shortly after these words were spoken,
mutterings of storm were heard, and it
soon burst over the land. No rain fell
upon the plains and valleys, but the light
ming played over the mountains, and the
thunder rolled down its rugged sides.
Fiercer and fiercer grew the storm until
it obtained the most terrible proportions.
1t shook the earth to its foundations in
the memory of living man dwelt not SC
fearful an experience. But terrible as ii
was, it did not divert the thoughts of the
islanders from the sinner who had drawn
them together. The storm was for him
he was there upon the mountain-top, he
and his sin, battling with it. God was
speaking to him in fire and thunder, and
demons and angels were fighting for his
soul. Which would conquer? As they
gazed towards the gloomy nights, flash
of lightning gashed the dark bosom of the
sky; the thunder rolled more fiercely
the heavens appeared to open and
straight line of fire, suddenly descending
from the heart of the unseen world stabbed
the man and his work of repentance with
Ialal llBuU, WHICH III GiLeit a"Aui hiSH
were hurled into the abyss yawning be-
meath them !
A cry of horror rose from the Threats OF
the islanders, and in the midst Of the
dense darkness that followed no man dared
to speak, so appalling was the impression
produced by the event. The storm abated,
and died away in sobs and presently faint
light dawned in the sky, The light grew
stronger, clearer A hazy, golden mist
rolled over the snow mountain, and
when its peaks were tipped with
the fire of the rising sun, the island
ers saw no sign of the sinner and his SYM
boil. God had rejected his work, and had
declared that not in this world should the
sinner be allowed to work out the full
measure of his punishment
From that day forth the mountain was
looked upon as accurst, and all men
avoided it.
THE END OF THE PROLOGUE.