The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-07-15

ullo SuDlH0 wall sO Us W duIHlL meln,-OLl-
ers, less Stout in heart, contented them
selves with heaping curses and impreca-
tons on those who had obtained passage
1t was matter of astonishment to me to see
how the crowd on the right pressed towards
the wall, especially after they had made
considerable progress in their journey
but those on the left almost universally
drew off from the partition and walked on
the extreme opposite margin of the road.
Those who entered the left hand road at the
goal, universally kept aloof from the divi-
ding ground, except a solitary individual
now and then, who walked near the parti-
ton, more with view to watch those on
the opposite side than from any sincere de-
sire of going over to them; and if any one
did go over he was commonly despised by
those he had left. 1t frequently happened
that individuals who had passed over from
right and left, were murdered before they
had made any considerable advance-and
tildb FOi lCN CSOdl)Cu vi al ulC
hosts who passed the partition by violence,
if they ventured to the opposite side and
tried to walk with those who entered at the
beginning, Notwithstanding that those
who stood behind could plainly see all thai
belel these who preceded them-and ad-
mitted that they had made an unfortunate
stride-admitted that they had relnquished
safety for danger-peace for anxiety-hap-
piness for veXation, and aid & cooperation
for opposition and distrust, yet they all ap-
peared willing and even anxious to arrive al
the same position themselves. | observed
too in the formation of this very singula,
party wall, that it was 50 constructed as to
interpose no obstacle at all to passengers
at certain times and places, and that at 9th
er times and places 1t was utterly imposs'
bic except by the utmost violence.
Upon looking more closely ascertained
that, on sonie occasions, persons obtalhed
admittance 10 the left road by violence so
great, that the fssure in the wall was visi-
bic, and on some occasions fearful chasn
remained. These rents were in some in
stances repaired, and so dexterously too
as to leave no sicatrce. was much sur
prised to see that those who forced the pas
sage which refused to close itself rarely halt
ed to assist in closing it, but hurried for
ward to the opposite side, leaving the hole
open for the convenience of any future ad-
venturer who should choUse to use it. In
some few instances those on the left, made
efforts to close the breach, but it was more
commonly closed by those ON the right and
chance time by the united labor of both.
| saw several places where breach had
been repaired, which left the curtain pos
sessed of all its former elasticity, but from
the traces of Blood surrounding the spot,
was led to believe that the act, either of MIA
king or repairing it, had been disastrous to
the actors. After examining the dividing
material and the trarsyefse ways, turned
my attention to the two paths, and to those
walking in them. | saw them on either
side frequently loiter and examine the va
rious objects around them--s0me with ap-
parent satisfaction, many with anxious de-
sires, & still more with disappointment and
despair depicted on their countenances.
They very frequently stopped down and
picked up shining sand, glittering fossils,
and many other substances with HhlGh the
grddnd was prufnsely strewed-and OBJ
served that those who through superior in
dustry, superior craft, or any other cause,
had secured most of these treasures, SEEM
ed TO value themselves most, and commonly
assumed to themselves many airs on that
account. They were evidently much at
tached to these treasures and clung to them
with the most tenacious adhesion, but sill
they were usually scattered with prolusion,
to secure passage to the left hand road
Sometimes an individual, already in the
much desired path, invited another to come
through the party wall to him, and some
I