Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-02-07

desired. Ihls was the Judgment OF tne-
upon Rant the deformed.
The Judgment was a growth, not an |
and was, formed by direct |
evidence. 1t would undoubtedly have
been difficult matter for the inhabitants
of the Silver Isle to have entertained i'm
mediately cordial and friendly relations to-
wards one whose outward shape was as
ungainly as his manners were uncouth, and
whose physical malformation was not coun-
terhalanced by mental grace or sweetness.
But the islanders were just men, and in
the course of time, had Ranf cared to con-
ciliate them and win their regard, their
sense of justice would have been stronger
than their instructive aversion. They
might have been moved to exercise the
rare virtue of ascertaining what was good
in man who possessed no outward recon-
mendatlon, and giving him credit for it,
instead of the common human failing OF
magnifying what was repulsive, and con-
demning him for it. To this better end it
was necessary that they should have an in
sight into Rant s inner nature.
He supplied them with material.
He had full appreciation of
the manner in which he had been received
upon his first appearance in the Silver Isle,
and from that hour he took malicious
pleasure in exhibiting his worst qualities
in their worst light. He allowed his hair
to grow wild he exaggerated his natural
deformities he delighted in uncouth ges-
lures he sneered at the primitive customs
of the islanders and in a general way he
played into the hands of their prejudices.
The mutual resentment thus engendered
grew stronger as the weeks and the months
passed by.
The first serious impression against
Rant was produced on his first Sabbath IN
the Silver Isle 1t was day sacredly OBJ.
served by the islanders-a day of rest and
religious contemplation, upon which only
the simplest and most innocent pleasures
were INDUCED in. The hour for prayers
had arrived. The church in the valley was
full, but Ranf was hot among the wor-
shippers. The islanders spoke of the cir
cumstance gravely, and addressed their
minister upon the subject. He sought
Rant and gently admonished him. Rant
opened his eyes wide.
How ola are you, ministers" he in
quired.
81 have lived forty years" was the re-
ply. sr3
"And / year longer, retorted Rant /;
therefore my judgment is likely to be as
ripe as yours. As ripe Forty times
ripper, should say, for every year of my
life has in its experiences been equal to
those of forty years in the lives of ordi-
nary men. Look upon me, minister. You
see man cut out of the natural mold.
Something is passing through your mind
with reference to me. What is it %
"Pity."
''B1t / don't ask you for it. What |!
Shall beg for it, of you and other men,
by whining of my deformity, and then be
grateful to those who give, and humble to
those who mock me for what am not ac.
countable for? Pity Give it to your
dogs What want you of me ?"
"You have come to live among rs.
"Aye."
"We wish you to be as other men"
Rant interrupted him fiercely. "But l
am not as other men. Can you strengthen
my body?"
st is out of my power.
"Not being able to do that, are you mad
enough to think you can strengthen that
part of me which you cannot see? Are
the men in this isle gifted with spiritual
insight, and with miraculous power of
healing mental wounds? Then, they are
more than mortal
'You have suffered in the past, " said
the priest, in tone of compassion.
Rant smiled scornfully. Truly have
memories. Here is a bare waste and here
streams of blood which time has not dried
up; and here a patch of flowers not yet
quite withered !"
Look forward, upward - cried the
priest, pointing earnestly to the fair sky
above.
Rants malicious eyes followed the direc-
ton of the priests hand,
az have farther to look than you" he
said, being some inches lower. What do
you see there ?"
"God is there
81 ask you what you see, and you an
swer with platitude-a foundation of
shadows upon which priests build beliefs
of various shapes and colors, every one Of
which gives the lie to the other. God is
here p and Rant, STOPPING to the ground,
plucked blade of grass and laid it on his
open palm. "Here is surer evidence
of Gods wondrous work. | prefer to
look downwards. Earth is sweeter than
vapor. I have come to live upon this isle.
True How have | been received ? With
pleasant looks and words of welcome !?
Your men avoid me-your women fly from
me-your children are being taught by
example to look upon me with aversion. l
have heard that on this isle you boast of
exercising an evep-handed justice. 1t is
boast, and nothing more. For what kind
of justice is that which throws my de-
formity into my face (which declares,
knowing nothing of me except what is seen
and what would rid myself of if l could,
that am unfit to associate with the clean
limbed men of the Silver Isle? All, you
are rare justice-mongers Take scorn for
scorn. / give it you-full measure y
Can do nothing to soften your" asked
the priest, distressed by Rants bitter
words. &
minister" replied Rant, with mock
II o1o. / -, &c fu,,.4oJ