Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-03-13
CHAPTER X.
CONTINUED

We'll, thirty years ago I left dear old
England-ah, Miss Arnold, it was not
30 simple thing to leave England
then. Thirty years ago, I left old
England with my wife. to come here
and teach the Gospel of Christ to
these poor people, then quick to learn
and anxious to become one of the
nations of learning in the world. I
was a preacher, having taken orders
in the Church of England. Twas an
enthusiast in my work, as was my
poor wife. Pardon me if I falter.
These poor old eyes seem full ready
to weep. But L am old am old.
And my heart is scared with sorrow,
as you will see. We came here, then,
thirty years ago, and found Talmooch
a fourishing place, promising place,
a magnificent place. Let me describe
it fully, that you may more ably ap-
preciate the contrast later on. Here,
all around us, where you see the
spreading palms, the fragrant and
beautiful flowers, here was the
temple Of the people of Talmooch, and
here they worshiped their god. Nay,
you need look for no falling walls,
no crumbling ruins. Not stone was
in their temple. Their god was the
God of Mature, and in this vast and
magnificent cathedral of His handi-
work they came to worship Him. Be-
yond that wall, the island stretches
southwark about twenty miles. 1t
was at that time veritable paradise.
The mountains were loaded with
mineral wealth. The streams were
alive with fish. The people were in
nocent and happy. Warlike, it is
true, were the men, but only that
they might defend their homes
against invasion. The population
of the island was about one hun
dred thousand. The form of govern
ment was a monarchy. Indeed,
the people had never been far enough
advanced to take any other form.
They are not, perhaps, equal to gov
erning themselves. There was king
who was chosen by the people. He
had no life tenure. The throne was
not hereditary. The ruler was he
whom the people declared the best
fitted for the responsible honor. The
people were divided into two tribes.
The Jumars, perhaps the superior in
point Of intelligence, had town called
Galneor. 1t then contained about
twenty thousand isouls. You would
be utterly surprised to see this town
in those days of peace and prosperity.
The streets were wide and clean. The
houses were small, but models Of
neatness and cleanliness. Some OF
the more pretentious were really beau
tiful in their architecture. The men
worked in the mines or in the manu-
featuring establishments. Everything
was done on something like cooper
alive plan, subject, of course, to the
crown. There was no great individual
wealth, but on the other hand there
was no poverty. Every family had
plenty. A margon, or, in English, a
mayor, was the representative of the
king in Galneor. He was chosen for
his wisdom. His rule was wondrous-
ly wise, and the people prospered.
The country round about was rich in
farming lands, and thousands of peo-
pie had their little holdings, subject
to slight taxation to provide for the
expenses of state. There was trade
with other nations, and the manufac'
lures of Talmooch and of the Jumars
were famous in many lands.
"Talmooch is perhaps the mos!
northerly of the Philippine group. II
is so far north that it might almost be
said to lie off the Chinese coast. 1t il
just south of Formosa.
beside the Jumars, there were the
Kaleks, not so far advanced in intelli
gence, but more warlike. Their city
was called Bromporrah, and held fifty
thousand inhabitants. 1t was much
like Galneor in every respect. Tho
two people were practically one. The
seat of government was at Quiental,
fortified town at the other end of thu
island. But tire you, do L not?"
"No, you do not" protested; con
tho contrary, I am greatly interested
1t would be unwise for us to make any
attempt to push farther on our way
without full understanding of what
is before US. hope you will pro.
ceed."
eyes, do, Mr.. Avery" said Miss
Arnold. 81 am eager to hear ALL"
every WE'LL" he said, smiling wear
lily. "But we might, I suppose, with
good Judgment, retire farther into the
forest to escape unfriendly eyes. Yes.
I think it best. Let US go back here
space"
We gathered up our goods and re-
treated some distance where We were
sheltered by the thick brush and trees
from observation should the enemy
feared by Mr.. Avery appear. Having
arranged ourselves comfortably. the
missionary continued:
q have told you all I need to tell
of the condition of affairs in Talmooch
when I came here with my dear wife,
thirty years ago. To give you, how
ever, still better idea of the prevail
ing happiness and prosperity of the
people, will say just word more.
In whatever intercourse the Jumars
and Kaleks-once two distinct and
separate peoples, but at the time of
which I speak united into one happy
nation-had with outside people, such
as traders from the coast or the in.
,habitants of neighboring islands who