Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-01-31

whether we need this or that. Calmly re-
fleet Our forefathers left us an inherit
ance of contentment, which we in our
turn desire to leave to our children. We
are in harmony with each other, and we ac-
count Incidence vice. Brought up in vir-
tue and in industry, our young men and
women live theirl ives in peace and worship
God. What changes have come upon our
isle have come naturally, and we could not
have it otherwise. lighthouses are not to
our taste Friend Mauvain, keep your
new-fangled notions to yourself, and do not
strive to turn US from our ways. 1t is no
reproach to us if we do not move as quickly
as the country in which you have lived.
Setting our experiences against yours, the
advantage, take it, is on our side. If
things are well with men, it is misfor-
tune if they are tempted to believe that
they are sent into the world to set every
wrong thing right. Each to do his best in
the small circle in which he moves that
is both philosophy and religion and it is
our aim. We are not savages, as you see ;
we have high regard for cleanliness and
godliness; we have enough for our spirit
ual and temporal needs; and, friend Maui
vain, if you have not already learned it,
you are old enough to learn it enough
is enough"
Mauvain shrugged his shoulders. 'Make
troglodyte of me-" he said, "or teach
me to crawl like the crab"
But he had the grace to recognize that
it would be a breach of hospitality to con-
tinue his endeavor to force his opinions
upon the islanders Condemned by cir
cumstances to remain among them, it was
impossible he could pass his days in idle.
ness. For time he shut himself up with
his books and newspapers, but they were
not sufficient to satisfy his active tempera-
ment. He strove to tighten the weary
hours by writing something in the form of
memoirs, but it was not long before he
flung away his pen. Then the beauty of
the isle drew him forth, and he wandered
over its length and breadth. Looking
for fairies, he said, sportively. He found
neither fairy nor malignant spirit, nor did
he chance upon an Aladdin's cave,
the isle was rich in rare surprises.
But he made a substantial discovery. In
wild gulch in an uninhabited part of the
isle he found traces of silver ore. The
land round about was waste land, and he
purchased it of the commonwealth, pay
ing for it in plows and harrows
of improved design. He prosecuted his
search, and hired three men to work for
him in the gulch during the winter season.
They unearthed arich mine, and in the
spring Mauvain and his workmen returned
to the center of population, bringing with
them some sacks of silver ore. He exhib-
tied the treasure exultantly to the island
ers, and told them it was freislebenite, and
contained antimony, lead, sulphur and sill
yer. They smiled at his enthusiasm, and
said they preferred golden grain. The ore,
however, was smelted, and large yield of
silver was obtained 1t was of little value
to Mauvain or to any one else on the isle
but Mauvain continued to work the mine
chiefly for the purpose of
his time. 1t could scarcely
have been for gain, for he was otherwise
rich in his own right in the country to
which he was not free to return.
But the release came at last, and after
dozen years he received the welcome news
that he might return in safety to his ma
tive land. His face frightened with Joy,
and yet, as he drew a deep breath, and ex-
tended his arms to embrace the genius of
liberty, he felt a paDg of regret. Yester-
day the isle had been prison to-day it
was sweet and fair in his eyes. Yesterday
it was cage; to-day it was garden.
How bright were the clouds, how fragrant
the air, how beneficent the earth Never
in his dreams had he imagined spot upon
earth so calm, so peaceful, so free from
care. The islanders were sorry to part
with him, for he had proved himself an
agreeable companion, and, as far as his
restless nature would permit, had con-
formed to their ways.
An old time friend brought Mauvain the
news of his release, and in the pretty house
he had built for himself in the Silver Isle
he received the particulars of the fortunate
change in affairs which had restored him to
his position in the world. 1t seemed as if
he would never be done with his questions,
so eager was he to hear all that had passed
in his absence. He inquired with keen in
terest after old friends, and after such and
such men whom he had known, and he
learnt that some were dead, some dis
graced. some at the top of the ladder,
some crawling in the cutters.
"Ah, WELL" said he, "'tls battledore
and shuttlecock I'll play the battledore
for the future, be sure of that.
After women, also, he inquired, and
learnt who led and who followed, who were
sought after, who laughed at, and what
was the character of the imperious beauty
who reigned in the world of fashion. The
most popular idol was one whom he had
nursed on his knee before the tide of his
fortunes had changed for the worse she
was child at that time, docile, meek,
obedient-now she was a woman, naughty,
proud, capricious. She, patrician, and an
other, who had risen from vile depths,
ruled the world of fashion between them.
A smile rested upon Mauvain's handsome
lips as he listened, and dreamt of future
While the conversation was
he unlocked a chest, and
producing therefrom suit of the
finest clothes, began to deck
himself out as became his rank
81 Wal IL. &c .L:ll