New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-17

convince me that if the widow really believed IN
the approaching dissolution of the world, she had
determined to make the most of while II lasted:
II is impossible to say what other discoveries
might have achieved if had not heard footsteps
approaching; and apprehending it might be the
lady herself, retreated with considerable Preci-
pilaton, in doing which | encountered, and over
threw, fat cook maid, who was coming Up IN
great haste to aprrze her mistress that the kitchen
was so hot she could not breathe in it any longer
and who, notwithstanding the selemnity OF the &C.
casion, gave me NEST awful benedic'ion.
The next house entered was that OF notorl'
Gus usurer, who was never known to do kind
ness to any human being. He had accumulated
millions BY rigid, inAexible system of preying
upon the wants of his fellow creatures, and deny
ing himself the common necessaries of life except
on rare occasions, when his vanity got the better
of his avarce and he would give some great party
or ostentstious feast order 10 excite the envy OF
his neighbors, and get pulled in the newspapers
always making himself amends for his Predlgaiity
by squeezing additional sums out OF bis unortu-
Rate clients found him busily employed IN
making his will, and talking to himself by hts and
starts, from which gathered there was great
contest going on between the ruling passion and
the fear of the future, which prompted him to
make reparation. far possible, tor his past
trensgressions From what | could gather, ne
had come TO determination 10 restore the prn-
cipa OF all the money he had screwed from his
debtors by his usurious practice, but could net
bring himself to give back the interest on these
exac,ions, which he said would utterly ruin INN.
As the heat became more intense, he seemed grad
IL. lcH IA
relapsed again. This happened several times, I'M
I'll at length the old man Quoted his conscience by
leaving his whole estate for the purpose of erect
ing hospital for the reception of the families of
ali those be had reduced 10 beggary by his frauds
and inhumanity, at the same time saying TO aim
self, 81 shall! go down to posterity great pub
lie benefactor." AS looked over his shoulder, l.,
however, observed that the bequest condition
al on the fuflment of the prophecy.
Leaving the house of this repentant sinner, l
proceeded on my way without any definite object,
and met fellow in irons, who had taken advant-
age of the confusion which reigned every where
around to make his escape from prison. He had
committed q wanton and airocious murder; and
his execution was fixed for the next day. He
seemed so eate at his escape, that could no t5s
bear reminding him that he had only got out o. me
frying pan into the fire. He brisky replied, 49, but
you forget have escaped the disgrace Of hanging.
On my reminding him that the disgrace was in the
crime, net the punishment he answered " d'tier
with you entirely in this matter" and proceeded
on, rafting his chain as if in triumph.
Ny next encounter was with a person who had
distinguished himself in several controversies on
questions which, admitting Of no demonstrators
either of facts arguments, afford the finest scope
for interrninable 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 in the
SAME predicamcnt. l was proceeding to converse
with him the unexpected catastrophe so rap
idly approaching, when he impatiently inter
rupted me: Unexpected, indeed!' said he, f"
have been SO busy in proving it to be all humbug,
that am sorry to say that am altogether unPre-
pared. But that is not the worst. The stpro-
vokng part Of the business is, that this old block
head should be right and l wrong. My reputation
is entirely ruined; and shall go down to posterity
as teacher of false doctrines and bad reasoner.
Don't be uneasy on that score, replied, pos
tcrty will know nothing of the matter" Upon
which he left me in great passion, affirming that
| had reflected on himself and his works, which,
upon my hsnor, was not MY intention.
The philosopher had scarcely left me when there
approached an old man Of rather venerable ap-
pearance, who seemed an exception to the rest
of the world-beng evidently elated at what hed
all others with horror and dsmay. He was ruiz
bling his hands in great 6 lee, ever and anon ex-
claiming, Z" / told them so; predicted all this
years ago. but the blockheads would ut believe
me. They have got it now, and may laugh as
much as they please" Anxious to know the mean
ing of all this, | venturcd to ask explanation :
What" said he, edo mt you know am the
prophet who foretold the destruction Of the world by
fire, the frs, of April, 1s437 The clergy preached
agains! me in their pulpits the philosophers
laughed and the would.be wise ones hooted at me
as fool, or an irnposter But they have gotit now
they have got it now-ha. ha ha !" and the
worthy old prophet went his way delighted at the
ful6lment of bis prediction. He had not proceed,
ed far, however, when he came in sight OF the bed
of the river, which was now one vast volcano OF
consuming fires, and encountered such scorchlng
blast from that quarter, that he turned round and
approached me again with great precipitation On
inquiring where he was going in such hurry, ne
replied, 90 Going why to make preparation for this
awful catastrophe, which, to tell you the truth,
have entirely neglected, being altogether taken up
with predicting it. Bless my soul! I had no idea
it would be so hot! At that moment it seemed
that he took fire, and in few minutes was con-
sumed to ashes, exciaimng to the last, Well,
we'll it matters nat, shall go dewn to posterity
as the last of the prophets!"
The last person l recellect meeting, was the
worthy old gentleman who rallied against the world
so copiously at the commencement of this vision.
He was putting and blowing, and flaming himself
with his hat at prodigious rnte. "Well, my
friend, said [, coolly and quietly, WE'LL my friend,
you were quite right In your opinion that the world
was pretty we'll worn out,aud its astegs Its in
truth, an old, superaunuated concern, not worth
raendng; and US you truly stated, SO over head
and ears in debt, that the sooner it winds up its
affairs and calls It's creditors together the better.