A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
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class had a mania for do<strong>in</strong>g what they considered good <strong>in</strong> this way. The<br />
Chief Pauper was a sort of Kosek<strong>in</strong> Howard or Peabody, and was regarded<br />
by all with boundless reverence. To me, however, he was an object<br />
of never-end<strong>in</strong>g hate, abhorrence, and loath<strong>in</strong>g; and, added to this,<br />
was the thought that there might be here some equally hideous<br />
female--someone like the nightmare hag of the outer sea--a torment<br />
and a horror to Almah.<br />
CHAPTER XXIX<br />
THE CEREMONY OF SEPARATION<br />
Separated from Almah, surrounded by foul fiends, <strong>in</strong> darkness and the<br />
shadow of death, with the baleful prospect of the Mista Kosek, it<br />
was m<strong>in</strong>e to endure the bitterest anguish and despair; and <strong>in</strong> me these<br />
feel<strong>in</strong>gs were all the worse from the thought that Almah was <strong>in</strong> a<br />
similar state, and was endur<strong>in</strong>g equal woes. All that I suffered <strong>in</strong> my<br />
present condition she too was suffer<strong>in</strong>g--and from this there was no<br />
possibility of escape. Perhaps her surround<strong>in</strong>gs were even worse, and<br />
her suffer<strong>in</strong>gs keener; for who could tell what these people might<br />
<strong>in</strong>flict <strong>in</strong> their strange and perverted impulses?<br />
Many joms passed, and there was only one th<strong>in</strong>g that susta<strong>in</strong>ed<br />
me--the hope of see<strong>in</strong>g Almah yet aga<strong>in</strong>, though it were but for a<br />
moment. That hope, however, was but fa<strong>in</strong>t. There was no escape. The<br />
gate was barred without and with<strong>in</strong>. I was surrounded by miscreants,<br />
who formed the chief class <strong>in</strong> the state and the rul<strong>in</strong>g order. The<br />
Chief Pauper was the highest magistrate <strong>in</strong> the land, from whose<br />
op<strong>in</strong>ion there was no appeal, and the other paupers here formed the<br />
Kosek<strong>in</strong> senate. Here, <strong>in</strong> imprisonment and darkness, they formed a<br />
secret tribunal and controlled everyth<strong>in</strong>g. They were objects of envy<br />
to all. All looked forward to this position as the highest object of<br />
human ambition, and the friends and relatives of those here rejoiced<br />
<strong>in</strong> their honor. Their powers were not executive, but deliberative. To<br />
the Meleks and Athons was left the exercise of authority, but their<br />
acts were always <strong>in</strong> subord<strong>in</strong>ation to the will of the paupers.<br />
"I have everyth<strong>in</strong>g that heart can wish," said the Chief Pauper to<br />
me once. "Look at me, Atam-or, and see me as I stand here: I have<br />
poverty, squalor, cold, perpetual darkness, the privilege of kill<strong>in</strong>g