Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1852-08-13

caught up and resounded from each corner
and point of the immense cavern. 1t was
terrible-awful. The perspiration started
from every pore, and David most heartily
wished himself out of the place.
How much gold will satisfy you p
said the Genii, fixing his yellow eyes upon
his, as though he would read his innermost
thought.
Would you be satisfied with as much
as you could raise from the floor 2
Now be it known, David was not man
who might be called small or weakly.
He once prided himself very much upon
his bodily strength, and the enormous
weights he could lift. So the proposition
OF the Genii was in his favor
Yes answered he, give me all can
! lift, and will be satisfied
Let IL be so. You shall have your
wish
The Genii seized an iron instrument,
and commenced digging the gold from the
wall. His blows fell thick and fast
Presently large lump of the precious
metal was detached. He threw aside the
instrument. and from a chest near by,
took stout linen bag, apparently capable
of holding two bushels of grain.
Now said he, to David, who stood
/ amazed, | will make You acquainted with
my further conditions.' David did not
answer, for he was glad to do anything to
get himself out of the present predicament.
/ You can take this bag resumed the
Genil, land place in it as much of the
metal as, in your judgment, you think vou
can raise. If You over-estimate your
strength, and get more gold than You can
hit, you shall have none. but shall be sent
back to your family worse than when you
left them. If you do lift it, it shall be
yours. My servants shall escort you
home, and conveyance shall be furnished
for your treasure
David took the bag, and began filling
ii with the largest and brightest pieces. Al
first he thought he would limit his desires.
/ and be sure not 10 put in more than he
could raise. As he handled the precious
Jumps he became more and more excited.
until he had no command over himself
The bag was about half filed, and he de-
sisted moment. The idea of having so
much gold stimulated him to prepare for
immense exerton in order to raise it.
One more lump thought he. and added
it 10 the pile.
'Oh one more will not make it much
heavier
Another lump was added-and yet an
other. The bag was placed in a conven-
lent position, and he paused over il. 10 take
breath before he tried the lift. lie stopped,
grasped the mouth of The sack in both bis
bfawny hands, and raising himself slowly,
steadily, but with all his strength, he es-
sayed the task. lie strained, he tugged
with all his might; he exerted every mus
Gle; the blood rushed to his brain-he
saw more stars than reyolve in the frma-
ment ; bat it was all in vain. The obsti-
nate load would not bulge a hairs breadth.
'Ha! ha. ha y laughed the demon,
and his face glowed with brighter glow.
You did not raise it! But try once
more, and then if You do not raise it-ha
ha ! Again the echo was caught up, as if
by a myriad of fiends, and the cavern was
filled with the laugh.
Once more David Winters grasped the
sack. This time with determination to
raise it or die in the attempt. When he
was lifting with the utmost of his strength,
the solid linen of the sack parted in twain,
and David losing his balance, fell heavily
on the floor. The Genii raised another
- Ha! ha ! han and again it echoed
through the cave.
Lost! lost lost = cried David, and
d1Uoke.
Bless my heart, David what is the
matter! Here you've been tugging and
pulling at the arm Of your chair. and now
you've pulled it clean off, and fallen on the
floor. Oh ! what is the matter p
IT WAS ALL A DREAM.
lie related his dream to Mary that night,
but said not a word about going to Califor~
MIA, as in fact he never did afterwards.
Several days passed before he recovered
from the severe confusion on his head from
the fall.
The moral of this simple sketch is OBJ
Vious. When a man is comfortably locat-
ed, having home and family, and with
fair income, he is not justified in leaving
all, to seek more gold afar off. Like the
hero of this dream, in doing so, he may
not gain anything there, but lose every
thing he has at home.-HOne Gazette.
A witty clergyman, lectured a short
time since on temperance, and as usual