Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-24
CHAPTER XVII.


In the year lS4S an unusual clrcurn-
stance occurred in the Silver Isle. Within
the space of fortnight two vessels an
chored in the bay. The first was regular
trader to the place, and had visited 1t on
and off for half dozen years its captain
was well known, and being no worse than
the general run OF captains, was welcome
when he made his appearance. The Sec
ond cast it's anchor for the first time in the
beautiful waters which surrounded the
isle. and its captain was stranger to the
inhabitants, who were not in the habit of
falling in love at first sight.
It was not, therefore, without uneasiness
that the islanders watched the approach
of the second vessel they valued their
privacy, and those among them best able
to Judge were aware that in their seclusion
lay an inestimable blessing 1t had never
occurred that these white winged visitors
from the old world trod so lively upon
each others heels. There had always been
lapse of several months between the WIS.,
its, especially to the older residents
any deviation from regular custom was sell
dom agreeable. But apart from these con-
siderations, there was another reason why
the approach of the strange vessel was OBJ
served with anxiety.
The captain with whom they were
acquainted, and who had only just left
them, had brought them news of a fearful
convulsion in the country of The old world
of which he was citizen. A terrible crisis
had occurred in the history of his land.
The people had risen upon their masters,
and had hurled them from their high
places the lives of those who made and ad
ministered the laws were jeopardized, and
in many instances had been sacri-
feed by the wild passions of bloody
minded populace, whose worst impulses
were brought into play all decency, re-
straint and order were cast aside religion
was Knocked at and its priests insulted;
mad ideas of equality were being pronul-
gated, and Missionaries and fanatics, and
those whose warped and astute intellects
could use these for their purpose, de-
clared the time had come for a
new distribution of property to lead the
way to this, the prisons had been thrown
open, and the vilest criminals had
been let loose upon society, one or two
unfortunate miscarriages of justice being
held sufficient for the flowing of this tide;
old rights were disregarded, and insanely
fattering theories were dangled before
weak and ignorant masses, infaming them
with visions of an impossible Utopia. The
streets were red with blood, AMI decent
people were afraid TO venture out Of their
houses. Wealth and wine and fine linen
were henceforth to be the property of all,
especially the property OF those who did
not own them The millennium OF the
wretched and needy had arrived. The
rich might go hang. There were to be no
more rich-exoept the poor. 1t was
the era OF topsy- turvoydom in property
and morals By common process Of
reasoning (which now. and again in social
commissions glares for moment, to be
extinguished almost instantly by a better
Light, to be born rich was looked upon
as crime; and success, also, was wrong
to those who struggled or idled tparticu-
larry to the latter and who had never
reaped their harvest.
More than ever grateful were the island
ers for the peace and order which reigned
In their land and which had never yet been
overturned. The pictures drawn by their
friend awoke their compassion for him.
and they proposed that he should stay
among them he declined.
- have duties elsewhere, he said 81
must look after my wife and children. We
must stand by our homesteads.
Aud then again he discanted upon the
misfortanes into which his country was
plunged, and narrowed the hearts of the
islanders with his stories.
II never believed in the divine right of
kings" he said, "but ship must have its
captain, call him what you will, king or
president or any other name you choose /;
and the captain and his officers must know
their business, or their vessel will get into
the rapids or on the rocks. You have rea-
son to thank God that you are free from
such fevers as have described. You can
live your lives in peace and security, and
can en- .oy the fruits Of your labor. These
wretches would wrest them not only from
You but from your children. You are not
surrounded by pack OF mongrels ready to
snatch the bone from your mouth. Right
Is right, and there is rich mans right as
well as poor mans right. That is what
some DO not or viii not understand. At
this moment hundreds OF innocent persons
are hiding in cellars and garrets and caves,
awaiting in despair the opportunity to
escape from the unreasoning fury OF their
fellow-creatures. 1t makes my blood boil
to think Of it. So you would give me well
come among you p
''Yes, they answered, ''you and yours. y
"Well, can but thank you, and if ne
cessity drives will take advantage of your
offer. It is no small temptation to man
to be offered the opportunity of bringing
up his children in virtue and peace.
So the captain, whose name was Raph-
ael, babe them farewell, and took his de-
parture.
Happily, thought the islanders, our isle
is but little known, and they almost re.
GREETED that ship had ever visited it; fol
although they were not inhospitable, they
believed it would be an evil day for them
upon which men with new ideas came
among them. What more did men want