The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-04-12
Copyrighted by c. II. Miller, 1884, and print
in the CARBON ADVOCATE by special ar
rangement with the Author.
SEALED UNTO HIM.
A Story of the Early Days of Mormonism.
By JOAQUIN MILLER,
Author of "Songs Of the Sierras," THE
Danites, Memorle and Rime," etc.
Story of the Early Days of Mormonism.
CHAPTER "
THE GRAVES OF THE DEAD SEA.


The Book OF Mormon is of prodigious
size and .unexampled Stiffness. One
marves that any one eyer had the per-
sistence to write down it's endless round
of repetitions of biblical words an /
phrases. Protesting to give, in the style
aud language of the Bible, the history of
the Tribes from the time of their disaf-
fection till they possessed America and
became the mound-builders, it is simply
intolerable as n piece of artistic work.
Yet as it was found in all mining camps,
where in the snowy Businesses we often
had nothing else left to read, it thus fell
to my lot to read it through not unfre-
quently. From title page to colophon
there is not one lofty or inspired or in
spring thought, like those filling the
volume it affects to foll)w. A dreary,
weary book it is. And yet it answers
the Mormon's purpose in this: that
where be cannot find an excuse tor his
actions in the real Book he can surely
find it in the forged one.
After this huge man with the book and
the deep hollow eyes had exhorted and
preached and read for hours and hours,
halting now and then as he read, de-
vouriug the whole camp and all that
circle about him with his hungry eyes,
the girl drawn even nearest of all, and
right under his eyes and right by the
size of her ignorant and fanatical execu-
TONERS, he calmly aud with earnest ex-
hortation begged to baptizs his listeners
in the faith of the Latter Day Saints.
No one answered or moved. Many a
long breath was drawn. many a deep
sigh was smothered, but no one spoke.
The missionary, as he now announced
himself. looked straight ana hard and
earnestly at the girl She lifted her
weary black eyes to his once more, and
tried hard to read if there was any help
or any hope at all in them. But she
did not speak. The man arose, went
down to the bank, draEk cupful of
water, came back and began 10 read and
exhort and explain and endeavor to
proselyts' once more. And so this
strange man kept on till the day was
spent.
No one had spoken save himself. No
hoI 10 Nal nF ha ol, L
dren had slept. their heads III their
weary mothers laps, as they sat in circle
and listened and listened in silence, that
long, long day. under the vast blue sky,
by the dark and desolate lake of death.
Aud now mark! When that man wa
doue reading and the sun was going
down, there was not a weary and over
come man or woman there who was not
awed or terrified or fascinated iuto some
sort of half belief!
Again the man rose up and pleadei
for converts to his singular faith. He
stretched his hands over the darkeninR
lake as the sun went down; he lifted his
long arms to the mountains OF snow be-
yond the young city; he appealed 10
nothing low, to nothing bad. but to
much that was noble III man and sub
lime in nature. His lips were dry. his
eyes were deep aud hollow and wild, but
he kept on till the sun had fallen behind
the steep hill that rose in our road before
us. Surely the man was mad. Aud yet
as typical, rs true Mormon elder was
he. as photograph could print. lie
made last appeal to the weak and now
PROSTATE girl. Some one of the party,
wiser than the rest perhaps, beckoned
her silently to comply.
She put out her two hands helplessly,
aud he led her to tie water, the men
with the horses rising in their places and
uncovering their heads. Others did the
same.
Whether the Mormon missionary i'm
provis d his brief ceremony aud action
or followed the prescribed forms, it l.
not important to say. But he led he
back soon to where all stood waiting, re
spectful, silent as before,
J The girl seemed bit refreshed, hope