The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-12-25

T hind the western hills Of fair Judea
that small strip of land whose historic
glory had already faded, and whose
n destiny in the onward course of civ
ilization would seem to be exhausted
as philosophical historians would say. The
natural independence of the people was
lost. Jerusalem had been eclipsed by
Athens, outgrown by Alexandria, and now
sat silent and humbled in the sombeI
shade of Rome.
Still, the king of day in his glory seemed
10th to leave this enchanting country, with
its rich foliage, luxuriant gardens, with run
ming streams, sparkling fountains and
many fingered palms swaying to and fro in
the evening breeze; and above all the tenn
pie. Lovingly the last rays fingered round
it as it rose in its dazzling splendor above
the palace of the tetrarch, and another noble
dwelling near by, though much inferior,
still denoted the affluence of the owner.
AIN the corridor of that handsome house
stood two stately figures, now not dis
tinctly discernible owing to the increasing
gloom. Both men had reached the evening
OF life. The owner of the mansion, though
well built, looked frail, as though his lease
of life were but short; still, as is often the
case, he chung to it with the t.nacity of
buoyant youth. In his organization the
intellect was keen and piercing, which
might be easily conjectured from his high
forehead and penetrating glance. But the
heart had little play, which was evident,
tho, from his tightly compressed lips and the
cold gaze of his steel-gray eye. The
,,F., 20; al hot
ill-harmonized with his refined type of
features, which, however, at the time,
-Eere violently shaken by the passion that
once aroused took frightful hold. Aram,
as the latter was named, was speaking:
is it thus you spurn me? You deem
me, then, devoid of pride and feeling. 1
left my little home with all 1 love and
came hither through hardships and suffer
ings to supplicate aid from you, Esias
You, too, are a merchant and know
to what poverty we may be dragged when
our vessels laden with rich cargo are lost
And such, indeed, has been my fate. 1 am
left desolate I am old and in
i'm, with but too few years
t1efore me to regain what Rave lost.
. But how can leave my beautiful child,
MT fair Rebecca, thus in poverty and mis-
ery2 gazed upon her bright youth and
innocence and said 4 shall go hence and
seek help from the wealthy Esias for the
sake of thee, my child. They say he is
hard hearted; still, he knows me to be no
adventurer. Outlines have we bargained
conformity Our families are even slightly
connected. Surely he will pity me for my
childs sake'n
Aram appeared to have forgotten that
Esias was actually present, but seemed to
be going over thought often traversed be-
fore undertaking the interview. Suddenly
he glanced up and beheld the same
cold eye upon him with no more
warmth in than before. Then he
passionately broke forth, exclaiming
''Ungrateful man, do you forget that you
owe me something, that you are indebted
for kindness rendered when you were i'll
at Jaffa! l did not mention it before,
thinking that perhaps it might flash across
your memory and touch your heart. We
were then strangers. 1 delayed setting
out for Alexandria, seeing that help was
needed, and offered it. Does Esias then
forget those days."
In cold, stern tones Esias replied: 81
do not forget them, but Aram knew me
well byreputation and knew that he would
be duly awarded 70 what he deemed his
kindness"
-n.sNever, never did my thoughts hang
a. your paltry gold, :" broke forth Aram.
, Erom mere humanity was I acting, but
You. incaI able of compromising higher
and nobler things, attribute the degrading
motive of gain to all mans actions"
And is it not for gain you are here to-
night!" added Esias. "And the night, by
the way, advances, showing you Esias as
YOU said you heard him to be. Why, then,
tlrryl Retrace your steps to your beau
tiful Rebec;a. lend not my talents with
olt security 1 am well grounde d in the
WAYS of the world and am not to be made
a fool of by each mans tale Of woe and
romance So, fare thee we'll Aram. May
thy journey be prosperous! Fare thee
well"
In convulsed tones Aram muttered !;
'.Jerr salem Goes not see me leave its walls
till YOU rave learGei what suffering is
something analogous 10 mine, hard-hearted
man."
With rapid strides he then traversed the
streets, his brow contracted as though
nursing some frightful thought, which
eventually would ripen and be put into ex-
ecution. Esias turned to the home hearth,
such as it must have been with so rigid and
stern a master.