Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-02-24
should see them grinning through the bars of

should see them grinning through the bars OF
the prison window
This incident made considerable impress
sion on my mind. and contributed, with other
circumstances, to indispose me to q permanent
residence in the city of Vanity: although, OF
course, was not simple enough to give ur
my original plan Of gliding along easily and
commodiously by railroad. Still. | grew anX-
ious to be gone. There was one strange
thing that troubled me amid the occupa-
tions or amusements of the fair, nothing was
more common for person-whether at feast
theater, or church, or tralfcking for wealth
and honors, or whatever he might be doing,
and however unreasonable the Interruption
suddenly to vanish like soap bubble, and be
never more seen of his fellows and so ac-
customed were the latter to such little acci-
dents that they went on with their business,
as quietly as if nothing had happened. But
it was otherwise with me.
The road now plunged into gorge of the
Delectab!e Mountains, and trayersed the field
where in former ages, the blind men wandered
and stumbled among the tombs One of these
ancient tomb-stoDcs bad been thrust across the
DN SOIllC pGISbil SttFG
train of cars a terrible Jolt. Far up the rug
gcd side of a mountain, perceived rusty
iron door, half overgrown with bushes and
creeping plants, but with smoke issuing from
its crevices.
'Is that" inquired I, "the very door in the
hillside, which the sheperds assured Christian
was by-way to Hell ?"
THAT was joke on the part of the shep-
herds said Mr.. Smooth-it-away, with a smile.
% 1t is neither more nor less than the door OF
a cavern, which they use as smoke house for
the preparation Of mutton hams
My recoections of the journey are now, for
a little space, dim and confused, singular
drowsiness here overcame me owing to the fact
that we were passing over the enchanted ground
the air of which encourages disposition to
sleep. Iawoke, however, as soon as we crossed
the borders of the pleasant land of Beulah.-
All the passengers were rubbing their eyes,
comparing watches, and congratulating one
another on the prospect Of arriving so season.
ably at oar journeys end. The sweet breezes
of this happy cline came refrcshingly to our
nostrils we beheld the glmmering gush Of
silver fountains overhung by trees Of beautiful
foliage and delicious fruits which were propa-
gated by gratis from the celestial gardens.
Once, as we dashed onwards like hurri-
cane, there was futter of wings and bright
appearance of an angel in the air, speeding
forth on some heavenly mission. The engine
now announced the close vicinity of the final
| Station House, by one last and horrible scream
| in which there seemed to be distinguishable
| every kind of wailing and woe and bitter
iierceness Of wrath all mixed up with the wild
laughter of a devil or mailman. All
through cur Journey, at every stopping place,
ApoIlyon had exercised his ingenuity in
screaming the most abominable sounds out of
the whistle of the steam engine, but in this
closing effort he outdid himself and created an
internal uproar, which, besides disturbing the
peaceful inhabitants Of Beulah, must have sent
its discord even through the celestial gates.
While the horrid clamor was still ringing
in our ears we heard an exulting strain, as if
7 a thousand instruments of music. with height
and depth. and sweetness, in their tones at
once tender and triumphant, were struck Ill
unison, to greet the approach of some ilfustri-
Gus hero, who had fought the good fight and
won glorious victory, and was come to lay
aside his battered arms forever. Looking to
ascertain what might be the occasion OF this
glad harmony l perceived on alighting from
the cars that multitude Of shining ones had
assembled on the river to welcome two poor
pilgrims who were just emerging from its
depths. They were the same whom Apollyon
and ourselves had prosecuted with taunts and
gibes. and scalding steam at the commence
ment OF our journey-the same whose un-
worldly aspect and impressive words had stir
, red my conscience.
How amazingly well those men have got
on ~ cried [ to Mr.. Smooth-it-away Il wish
we were secure of so good reception"
Never fear-never fear!' answered my
friend. "Come. make haste, the ferry-boat
| will be on the other side of the river. No
doubt you will find coaches to carry you up
to the city gates
A steam f:rry-boat the latest improvement
: on this important route, lay at the river side
: putting, snorting and emitting all those disa-
f greeable utteranccs which betoken the GCpar
: ture to be immediate. I hurried on boart
with the rest of the passengers, most of whom
f were in great perturbation some bawling out
. for their baggage; some tearing their hair and
excaming that the boat would explode Ol
sink; some already pale with the heaving o.
= the steam, some gazing afrighted at the ugly
/ aspect of the steersman some still dizzy witt
e the slumbcrihg influences of the enchanted
= ground. Looking back to the shore, wa:
4 amazed to discern Mr.. Smooth-it-away waving
+ his hand in token Of farewell!
@ Don't you go over to the Celestial City !?
q exclaimed /.
'.Oh, no y answered he with queer smile
and that same disagreeabe contertion of vi
sage which had remarked in the inhabitant
Y of the Dark Valley. 'Oh, nOl | have com
S thus far for the sake of your pleasant compa
It n.y. Good bye. We shall meet again."
Or And then did my excellent friend, MI
" Smooth-it-away, laugh outright; in the mids
i of which cachnation, a smoke wreath issue
from his mouth and nostrils, while twinkl
- of ivid fire darted out of either eye, provin
individually, that his heart was all of q re
:, blaze The impudent fiend to deny the e2
- istence of Tophet, when he felt its fiery to
= lures raging within his breast! | rushed I
the side Of the boat. intending to fling myse
ashore, but the wheels, as they began their re
~. au ofutions, threw dash of spray over me,
: cold-so deadly cold, with the chill that W
d never leave those waters, until Death
ct drowned in his own river; that with shiv
'e and heart-quake 1 awoke. Thank Heav'
it was q Dream.
he
to The New Orleans Crescent thinks that Sc
DC retary of State, Richard Rcalf. the saint
IL the South. and the sinner in the North, W