Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-12-27

forward passed. and smoke began to issue from tue
cracks in the ground it grew hotter, ana soon my
shoes began to scroll up the perspratlon was pour
ing from my brow and in the effort to tnfo" OH my
coat nv eve caught a view of the wall had seen
before could see the gate plainly ana over II was
placarded in large letters, g The BotfofnteSs ftt
Horror Of horrors and was such to be my endless
doom It was even So and in q moment1 was at the
rate and could hear dull heavy rumblng within
and now and then wild heart-rending shrek !"
Here Jake could hardly speak. his kiees smote
to6ether the whole assembly was in fear looked
st Aunt Sarah, she looked at me, and with such
look as much as to say, "Pixley, 6eaeafe - Jake
proceeded
g bell hung there beside that dreadful gate. /
seized the hammer it Kissed at the touch OF my I'm
gers and crisped the flesh of my hand. Though 1t
was burning hot, could not drop it. but Immediate
w smote the bell. The red sparks flew, and how
did that bell ring in my but it was only the
prelude to sounds more dreadful! The gate opened
on its creaking hinges stepped in, but the scene
before me cannot be described Suffice it to say,
that there was endless despair in its truth, and Its
reality is beyond the conception OF mortals There
stood, knee deep in burning lava lurid glare
went up upon the thick dark column OF smoke, and
the first breath that drew made my lungs fairly
boil looked away across the undnlatlng wave. ana
could see here and there wreched beng, with head
lust above the molten liquid, utering heartrendlng
cries. which served but to minge with the internal
veil of imps and dragons, and render the place more
dismal! | had but little time for observation, how
ever. the king of that doleu abode made his APP
pearance with his long tail he dashed his sides.
would he spatter the burning lava upon my flesh,
which was already crisped and frying then he would
grin horribly, and finally, with the greatest sang
tfoid, thus addressed me:
''Your name sir! '
Jake Fucker.
"Where from, sir e.
Right from Puckervile.
"Ah! Well, what's the news in Puckerville o.
! Great doings there, holding protracted meeting,
and everybody is getting religion.
AS said this he turned around. somewhat agita-
ted waved his black flag and gave directions for his
aid to marshall his host that he ght repair forth
with to Puckcrville and do battle for the kingdom
Then turning to me- asked
''But who's carrying on the meeting z"
Elder Smashall.
AS said this he turned again. waved his black
flag once more and with voice that resounded
throughout the pit, addressed his aids:
"Marshall not the host--EIder SnashGU is there
he'll do 1reH for as could do for myset-he'S
one Of my Spartan Bend ~
| Poor Jake he had no time to say any more
Deacon Longface rose up with pious grin his
countenance and with holy grip took Jake one
hand by the collar and the other by the binder part
of his panaloons and put him straight through the
hole made by the carpenter, right out of the syna-
gOgue, heels over head
But I felt relieved--and appearances lie much, Or
there meeting folks felt as though burden
had been removed! Jake never darkened the doors
again: there was no meeting on Tuesday-Elder
| Smashall had gone home!