Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-03-09
THURSDAY MORNING. MARCH 8, 1913.

only pardoDabie 10 person fast sleep,
in the course of which | made certain DIS
coveres, which now that | am awake,
scorn 10 disclose 10 the world. All will
venture to say is, that saw enough L.
convince me that if the wldew really be-.
lieved in the approaching dissolution OF
the world, she had determined TO make
the most Of II while il lasted. Ii is impos-
sble to say what other discoveries might
have achieved If had not heard footsteps
approaching and experimenting 1t nigh,
be the lady herself, retreated with con-
siderable precipitation, in doing which, |
encountered, a3d overthrow, iat co k
maid who was coming up IN great Taste to
apprlze her mistress that the kitchen was
so hot she could no, breathe ia II any Ion
ger and who notwithstanding the salemn,.
~ OF the occasion, gave me a most awful
benedction.
The next house entered was that o..
a notorious usurer, who was never known
to do kindness to any hum,n Deng. h.
had accumulated millions by rigid, n
flexible system Of proving upon the wants
of his fellow creatures, and denying hun.
self the common necessares OF life, TX.
cept on rare occasions, wien his VANITY
got the better OF his avafice, aud he would
give some great party ~ nstentatiuus
feast, in order to excite the envy Of his
neighbors, and get pulled in the newspa-
pers, always making himself amends for
his prodisality by squeezing additional
sums out of his unfortunate clients. |
found him busily employed in making his
will, and talking TO himself by fits and
starts, from which | gathered there Yves
great contest going on between the ruling
passion and the fear Of the future, which
prompted him to make reparation, as far
as possible, for his past transgressions.
From what could gather, he had come
to determination TO restore the princi-
pal of all the money he had screwed from
his debtors by his usurious practice, but
could no, bring himself to give back the
interest on these emotions, which he said
would utterly ruin him. As the kea,
became more inietise, he seemed gradual
" to relax; but the moment i, subsidized
a little he reapsed again. This happen.
ed several times, until at length the old
man quoted his conscience by leaving his
whole estate for the purpose Of erecting a
hospital for the reception Of the families
of all those he had reduced to beggary
by his frauds and inhumanity, AT the me
time saying TO himself, 81 shall go down
to pnsteriy as great public benei,ctor. !"
As look' 4 over hs shoulder, |. however.
observed that the heques. was conditional
on the fufilment Of the prophecy.
Leaving the house of this repentant sin
ner, proceeded on my way without any
definite object, and met fellow IN irons
who had taken advantage If the confu-
SION which reignsd every where around,
TO make his escape from prison. He had
committed wanton and atrocious mur.
der and his execution was fixed for the
next day. He seemed so eiate al his es.
cape, that could not furbear reminding
him that he had only GO, out Of the fry.
ngpan into the fire. He brisk y replied,
%; but you forget | have escaped the
disgrace Of hsngine.' On my reminding
HIM that tho disgrace was in the crime,
no, the punishment, he answered, Il differ
with ,ou entirely in this NATTER and pro.
ceeded on, rafting his chains as if in tri.
umph.
My next encounter was with person
who had distinguished himself in several
controversies on questions which, admit
ting Of no demonstration either of facts
or arguments, Oxford the f6est scope for
intermiuable discussion. He had written
more than one dissertation TO prove that
the prophet, knew nothing about what he
had predicted, and gone nigh TO convince
bis readers that he was in the same pre-.
dicament. was proceeding to converse
with him on the unexpected catastrophe so
rapidly approaching, when he lmoatently
interrupted me; Unexpected indeed 7
sad he, i have been 50 busy 10 provinglt
to be all humbug, that ! am altogether
unprepared. But that is not the worst
The most provoking gar. Of the business
is, tina. this old bockhea should be right
and | wrong. My reputation is entirely
ruined and shall go dawn to pos.erity
as teacher Of false doctrines and bad
reasoner.' Don't be uneasy on that
score, | replied, 'pnsteriiy will know moth.
ing of the natter Upon which he left
me in great passion, affirming that had
reflected on himself and his works, which,
upon my honor, was not my intention.
The philosopher had scarcely left me
when there approached an old man Of a
rather venerable appearance, who seemed
an exception to the rest Of the world be-
ing evidently pleased at wha, filled all
others with horror and dismay. lie was
rubbing his hands in great elee, ever ard
anon exclaming. 4 told them sn: pre-.
dicted all this, years ago, but the block
heads wouldn't believe mr. They have
got il now, and may laugh as much as
they please. Anxious to know the
meaning OF all this, venture to psk an
explanation. WHAT said he, don't you
know am the prophet who loreto'd the
destruction of the world by fire, the Fl rsl
OF April, lS43l The clergy preached a
gainst me in their pulpits; the philoso-
piers laughed and the woud-be wise
once booted at me as fool, or an impos.
ter. But they have got il now--they
| have GOT II now-hAt hal ha = and the