Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1864-08-24
GbgtfeIb -a9abertiiset. .
A g Vision of Judgment.o

s!umber, and whilst in this state, experienced
one of those remarkable dreams which some
times visit the sleeper and act on the mind
as visions from an unknown world. thought
I had been permitted to make a flying trip to
the internal regions. Yes, actually into the
Kipgdam of tho Hades, and then stood in the
presence of the Arch Fiend himself, who was
seated on his throne of. State, surrounded by
all the dread paraphernalia of his awful office,
whilst the agonized shrieks and wild yells OF
anguish and despair walled forth in one iu-
cessant stream of terror from the parched
throats of the damned, piercing my very VI
tails and adding tenfold horror to the scene.
A long row ol fresh criminals were ranged
before Satan, who quickly dispatched them
to different portions Of his kingdom, there to
live in eternal woe, until he finally came to
the last on tho list-a trembling, shivering,
gasping wretch.
"See how he shivers Mt the thought Of death
What doubt and horror hung upon his breath
The gibbering teeth, glazed eye, and marble limb,
Shades from the tomb, stalk cut and stare 1t him.
When Satan came to this fellow, he paused,
and looking at him calmly and steadily, stern
ly said e.
Who are you, and whence came you into
mydominions ?"
"I am from the city of Lynchburg, State
of Virginia, Confederate States of America" !"
replied the trembling culhrit, in faint, qua
king tone Of voice.
After receiving this reply his Satanic ma
iesty somewhat relaxed the rigidity of his
facial muscles, whilst grim smile parted the
corners OF. his lips.
."Ah," said he, "you are from the South
ern Confederacy, are you. So no! Gour peo-
pie are having fine time up there now: a
splendid time, indeed. They have laid ME
under thousand obligations to them. They
are rapidly filling up my Kingdom for me
with a shrewd, industrious, skillful population
of Yankee mechanics. Indeed if your sol.
diers keep on killing them rapidly as they
have done / shall have to enlarge my territory
by annexing purgatory. The only fear have
is, that they will attempt to revolt, and set
up rival Devil of their own. l am rather
afraid of Lincoln and Seward, and have caus-
ed q special dungeon to be made for them
when they arrive. But what battle was you
killed in 2"
':I was not killed in battle" meekly replied
the aspirant for internal immortality
"What not killed in battle! Then prob
:bly you died in the hospital. a great many
OF your men die in'the hospitals a very great
many indeed; but they rarely come TO this
place. 1t is strange, very strange; but some
how can't influence them like can the Yam
KEGS. A greater power than mine interposes
to,prevent it."
And thus saying, the Devil buried his face
in his iron claws and seemed lost in profound
revery, whilst the groans and yells of his vic
tins Still rang throughout pandemoaiuu; with
one ineessant roar. At length he started up
aud az ain addressed the culprit
"What hospital did you ole in ?'
"rdied in no hospital Twas not connect
ell with the army at the time of ny death.
"Then you have been Connected with the
army. Pray what .osition did you hold? :"
said Satan.
~ was Brigade Quartermaster the frst
yesr of the war, but resigned and went into
the Grocery business after, that" replied the
representative FROM Lyuchburg..
"Why did you quit the army you had
safe position there. Its very seldom they ev,
er kill Quarternaster, but when they do, ]
generally get him." said Bcelztbub. :.
81 quit the, army because had had made
money enough to get into other business,
which would pay better"
Chow did Jou make money so quick 2"
"By cheating the privates out Of their "a
tions and selling them to the officers said
the candidate.
aAh! that was a keen stroke of policy"
said the Devil approvingly. "But couldn't
y6n get rich fast enough at that 2"
Why, no." replied the wretch: that was
TOO small game for me. ~ saw how rapidly
fortunes were being accumulated in Lynch
burg and other cities by men who were not
ashamed 10 sell their souls to your Majesty
for iucre, and so / settled down in Lynchburg
and betaneran Extortioner
At the mention of that word the Devils
countenance suddenly became clouded, and
visible sneer wreathed his lips Us he said.
With sarcastic bitterss.:
"Ah yes! That class of demons are about
the only ones I receive frem the Confederacy
now. I have sent number of my most SUBJ
tie agents among them and they are rapidly
making proselites. Indeed, their success is
without parallel, and almost surpasses belief:
vet It's of simple solution to those who pos
sess the key"
0And pray, may ask what is the key?"
said the extortioner, humbly.
"And dare you ask me for the key LOU !"
ana Ocfn SCOWlCu hSAScIy az VIC ohAioe>
ing, covering wretch from beneath his long,
shaggy, bristling eyebrows. "Does not your
own black heart keep it hidden away amid it's
darkest recesses and is it not made of gold;
yeasgold trebly refined, dug from the noun
tains of curses washed with the bitter va !
ters OF womenss and children's tears, and
melted down in the cruciblc Of famine and
starvation Oil it is glorious sight to see
this spirit Of extOrtiOn speeding Spreading
despair and agony! And you, and thousands
of your extortiohate brother grocers, and mer-.
chants, and spectators in bread-stufs, and
. sboemakers, and coffi1=makcrs snd factory
men, are not the only Mlldeservng monsters
that will inherit ethis Kingdom after all OF
your rascali.y on earth. Al, no. Bat within
the las. two years~of war in your country
my hopes have been frightened aud my
prospects of taking into my bosom" many
who we're heretofore considered saints and
g perfect men," is quite refreshing. Yes