Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-05-08

he Thought you would suppose so,
and he directed me to say that you are
wrong. He wishes, for his own satisfac-
ton, to see you alone. l am to take you
to his private study, and we are to enter by
this side door,
"The study was as sumptuously fur
nished as any room in Mauvain's house.
1t was evident that its proprietor was a
man of wealth and taste As was exam
lining its art treasures, ! heard voice be-
hind me.
"tDon't turn, hunchback. | am the
master here, and l have fancy to speak
to you moment or two without face-to-
face meeting. If you are not afraid of me,
humor me.
"'I am afraid of no man. 1t pays to
humor the rich; will humor you
"'You speak well. This hump of yours
must be packed with wisdom.
I" You are mistaken; tits packed with
sorrow.
''' You have scored again. You seem
interested in my works of art. Do you un-
derstand them?'
Listen. will act the critic.
"With vanity, in display of which felt
curious contempt of myself, l criticised
the objects in the room, after the fashion
of a connoisseur, my unseen hostinterposing
b. tNNa11 iulnal
Excellent Well done, raggedphilosopher 7
"'Have you had enough 2 1 asked.
"' Yes; you are at liberty now.
81 turned, and started back in amaze
ment. Before me stood frightful likeness
of myself, truly a frightful double, for ma
ture had treated this man even more
scurvily than she had treated me. My
ugliness was beauty, my shape graceful,
my limbs symmetrical, in comparison with
his
"He in his turn examined me narrowly,
and frown gathered on his face.
"' You said to my servant, said the
monster, that there was only one of you.
What do you say now?'
&C That you have given me some little
consolation. Nature, 1 thank you. pay
for my pleasures. Here
81 held out to him the two pieces of
gold I had received from his servant. He
took them with grimace, and pocketed
| them with how saving.
"'It is the first money l have ever
earned. What do you think of me? Sum
me up in a word.
"' Hideous.'
Worse than you
"s Worse than three of me. / shall
sleep well tonight
&c Insolent cripple he cried, laughing
like byena How dare you speak thus
to the great I can see hunger in your
eyes your clothes are so full of holes that
you are compelled to make purse of your
fist 1t would have been better for you
had you been worse than you are. You
would be glad to change places with me.
as Not for the largest jewel you could
offer me-
You lie How much money have
your
Z" As much as will cheat starvation for
three times twenty-four hours, and spat
small piece of silver on his fine carpet.
"'Ah, that's your purse, is it? Beggar,
look here
8" He thrust his hands into his pockets,
and drew them out, filled with money,
which he let fall upon my silver piece in a
golden shower. He opened the drawers of
cabinets, and drew forth more gold, which
he rained upon the carpet.
{" 1t is all mine, he said 4 have more
than 1 can spend. You'll change your
mind.
g. Not 1. What can your gold do fol
your"
al will show you presently, if you have
mind to see.
"'I am ready enough; but l thought
had seen all that the world can show. Oh
one thing / am certain your gold cannot
buy you one look or word of Affection
"Wiseacrel There are no tongues
more eloquent, no eyes more loving, thar
those which gold commands. You shall
Judge for yourself. l invite you to become
my guest tonight.
/ "'I should do you honor said, hold.
ing out my rags.
"' You are fttingly attired. A fancy
ball is held in my house. You will SET
rich men in sackcloth and beggars in velvet
The sight will repay you
"I consent. Give me a cup of wine
first; am faint.
"He brought forward two long slender
glasses of the thinnest glass, and fillet
them with rich wine. We touched brims
"sTo you, my handsome brother h
said
81 never saw more brilliant company
than was assembled within those walls
nor more lavish display of wealth, mol
women more graceful and fair. I was Al
my ease, for there were men among the
guests disguised as monkeys, and some az
devils, and some as goats. Some looked a
me and asked each other:
"' Who is that? How well it is done
One would think it was real
&C And others replied with laugh
as Almost as real as our host.
All through the night people gathered
round this strange host and fattered hin
and sought his favor. The youngest ane
most beautiful women hung upon his arm
and cast languishing glances at him, ane
inclined their lovely heads to his deformee
shoulders and as he passed me toying
with their velvety fingers, he looked up a
me-he was even shorter than I-ant
cried