The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1854-10-11
Where do Men go who die mt Chi.
cage.

Some years ago when Chicago was in its
infancy, stranger took up his quarters Al
the principal hotel, and inscribed his name
on the register as "Mr. J., of St. Louis.
For several days he remained there, engaged
in transacting the business which had brough
him to the place, and from his exceedingly
plain dress, manners, and general appear.
ance, attracted but little attention. .
Soon Mr.. - was suddenly seized with
illness, during which he was sadly neglect.
ed by his host; and the servants, taking
their tone from the master of the house
left him to shift for himself as he best could.
Thus matters went on, till one morning he
was found past praying for. His papers were
then examined, that the sad intelligence
might be communicated to his friends;-
when, to the surprise of all, he was found
to be one of the wealthiest men in the west.
ern country.
Arrangements were accordingly made for
the funeral; but before the last rites were
performed, the subject came to life again,
having been the victim Of catalepsy, instead
of the 'grim King of Terrors." All were
overjoyed at his fortunate escape from so
dreadful fate, and from that time were pro.
fuse in their expressions of solicitude, elic-
tied, however, if we may be judges, by
documentary evidence" rather than by any
personal regard. rl-af
At length some one ventured to ask how
things appeared to him while in his trance,
to which he thus replied = ~. ..-,...
81 thought had come to the river of
death, where met an angel, who handed
me jewel to serve as pass to the other
side. On giving this to the ferryman, ]
received from him another which carried
me forward another stage in my journey
Going on thus for several stages, receiving
at the termination of each ticket for the
succeeding one, | at last reached the gate
OF the Heavenly City. There found St.
Peter, who opened the door at my summoned
pipe in mouth, seated by small table, on
which stood goodly mug of steaming hot
whiskey toddy. ,.. a. . -z.- IN .,,
"Good morning, sir" said he, very polite
y. @rs5s =. "s'R ''
"Good morning, st. Peter" said I.
I'd "Who are you, sir, asked he, }" turning over
the leaves of huge ledger. n,.
'a "My name is J." ''FAd,
"Very good, sir, where did you live down
below 90 .-- e.e, fs.s .e.l
81 lived at st. Louis, in the State of Mis-
souri," 5..&ad ,gs.a 1t F,a. .. 'H4
y "Very well, sir, and now tell me where
you died! ~" u.,@
~ died at Chicago, in Illinois," e.ag
"Chicago !'' said he, shaking his head,
"there's no such place, SIR" sa 81 Or
81 beg your pardon, st. Peter, but have
you map Of the United States here Z"
eyes SIR, lll,.f ..s s-e#,.4
"Allow me to look at IT,"
-asCertainly, sir.'' aa 7
with that he handed down asplendid atlas
and1 pointed out to him Chicago on the
map. "a .9Ds la8 Il. iss7 1e.g
"All right, sir" said he, after moments
pause, "it is there. sure enough, so walk in,
sir; but TIL be blest if you amt the first per-
sonthat has ever com here from that place ~
Thus ended MraJ--ss account Of his
transition state, and no more questions were
asked. SPIRIT Of he Times. ma ,gsa., /.
Or A good life keeps Of wrinkles. a1s Z