Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-02

COMMUNICATED.
Rich Dream, with a Sleepy Introduce
ton.

be on the six mans days, | have deci.
ded weakness for being pious on the Lords
day-one seventh only Of weak saint, in
very truth; yet, when We have run up a
long account with the "old 'un" during the
week, there is a strange sense Of security in
defending ones self with "ths horns Of the
altar" So having seated myself snugly IN
my soft cushioned pew, (which is, by the way,
always slightly suggestive of downy pillows
aud oblivious miduight,) | was listening to a
discourse that happened to strike the worry
train of thought had set going when en-
tered. Twas discourse not altogether COM
Portable to the man whose conscience does not
sit quite so easy as on a church cushion
the man who is troubled with some belief
in the law of compensation, making him
doubt little as to NOW" being the best time
to enjoy his good things, aud wonder if it
might not be possible for this rule Of equals,
after getting through with its addition"
to have to run its "substrsction" on him
little too strong to be altogether agreeable,
in order to make the sum-total right; the
man who gets dumpsh sometimes, and can't
for the soul of him see how this world is
what tbs "cried up to be-" when he, with
enough of its store to fill his great house. and
many more besides, can't fill up so much az
one empty corner in his plsguey little heart /;
who is scared at times, lest "the pile" be ic
so assiduousy gathering up, may not pass in
the country he is going to, and lest the "pur-
pie and fine linen" he sets such store by,
cannot be waxed so strong but it will get
threadbare The sermon, as | said, chimed
in with my thoughts, and church chimes be-
ing somniterous, after following the old gen
tleman through by-paths and labrynths, |
at last lost sight OF him altogether-not eI-
actly asleep who was ever q church-sleep-
er 2 only felt at first as if my head had run
up into tall steeple, the ministers voice
sounding away up 10 it like the strokes Of g
bell. | leaned against pillar next to me-
and something almost Ike vision passed
before me; waking sense enough left TO
shape and Tx, and then it would 20 eff into
the phantasmagoria of dream. The whole
church was swelled and changed into some
mighty tharoughiare. The asles were streets
along which men jostled one another. The
pews were bizarre shops OF sll shapes and
hues varied as kaleidoscope. But all the
mighty crowd seemed rushing towards one
grand terminus. looked ahead to make out
this point Of interest, and 10 . the pulpi: was
changed into 9 throne Of FURNISHED gold
Over it was stretched q gorgeous canopy,
which fell on either side 10 sunset hangings
of purple and yellow. All beneath and
around was paved and piled with gold dust.
gemflings, and chrystal fragments, more gilt
tering than the starry heavens. The throne
seemed intended for an active little mon
arch, who was not, however, seated in quies
cent dignity upon it, but bObbing around
with his robes, that seemed made of soft old
bank notes On his head was grotesque
little crown, formed alternately OF new gold
dollars and silver fps, running up into pyra-
mldal points, on the top OF which sParkled
stones of inteose brilliance. His sceptrs was
laid aside to give his hands fair play in the
brisk trade ho was driving. The whole
,bing seemed trembling and burning With
su effulgence of beauty, as thong b thsre were
light behndi it.
As | gaaea, train came sweeping up the
aisle aud some were 80 muttied | could not
see whether they were men or women, and
themselves in crowds over the
ratings. But every hand | observed was
busy in drawing something from each breast.
identified one old gentleman-I
saw him 50 plainly. lie was thin enough
ID thro,rh nd Tho ind
sheet had already began TO be woven IN white
shreds about his pale temples; his angular
body was bowed in intense meaning over the
railing, shaking down q fairy-ike circle.
chose coils spels out "L-l-f-e." He made q
sign to the quisical little gentleman Of the
crown, who heaped up gold dust in bis pal
'iei palm, which scattered as it clencbed ii
hard, and 80 be went away. Just then stop
ped up spry little coxcomb, who whlsked
over tiny package on which vas something
IKE "H-O.n-o.r," written upside down, look
ID askant at the little king, gave an active
,rab al the treasure, then big pua, and
vent out II thought in form of cigar -
Next came tripping up woman, with q
rampant air, She tossed over parcel on
which was something like VIRTUE" in
half effaced gilt letters. A knOwing look
passed between the two worthless. and co9uet-
silly taking up handful of the spoils,
she disappeared, ouriously methought, 10
'orm Of 90 deliberately piled clothes-rsok.
Next came up young girl, whose timld air
Interested me. The light Of beauty was
around her large violet eyes, which made
you think of the blue heavens, with the sweet
angels looking through-and bright yellow
hair. Murmuring half aloud, twill please
my father" she LAID something like an an
choir on the altar. A darkenipg shadow came
upon her brow, ana seislng up handful OF
the dust, she ran away amongst the crowd.
Then, as 10 the strange confusion OF dreams,
saw only all shapes and forms Of fancy
gifts flying up in the cir. 10 q moment
more, one kneeler struck my eye, lie was
irawirg from his breast, heart, across
which was written ia transparent letters,
. H-a.p-p.i.n-e.'.s." lie looked at it with IN
ltterab!e agony, then, exclaiming-"Gods,
Shat is this to me threw it over. snd was
gathering up his gold pieces, when he was
oslled aside by rubicund youth in priests
robes. With shudder, | saw him lay dowu
his blO0d-red cross, and gather from the heap
a doube-handful, which strangely thought
was forming itself inso burning serpent
around his hand. as be disappeared. ] was
yes watching him, when my attention was
called back BY needle-shaped little man,
who could have been labelled, warrant
ed not to cut 10 the eye" for the whole Wis
age had that keen. cute look. as If every fea.