The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-09-06
NUMBER 8.

The streets were in regular form, and
paved with the whitest marble. Foun-
tains were continually playing, and
scattered refreshing shower over the
garden.
The inhabitants were dressed like
the FIRST one 1 met, with the exception
of the women, who were appareled in
! the richest silk, trimmed with gold
borders, spangled with precious stones;
when they spoke their voices sounded
rich, and sweet as en- angels.
could not comprehend what they
said, but from the gestures supposed
they were speaking of me, who by this
time was almost worshipped as deity.
was soon led to magnificent pal
ace by two servants, who were not
surpassed by their masters in the rich
ness of their robes; they wore silver
instead of gold crowns. They lead me
TO a table prepared with a SYMPTOMS
feast, OF which I partook heartily.
After finishing my repast, my appar-
cl was exchanged for one, os the great
est beauty III the valley. they placed
upon my head a massive gold crown,
and gave me gold wand, which sig
nifed, | was to bc ruler of that celes-
tial valley. I learned their language
and habits in n few hours; they in
formed me I had entered the valley
of eternal life and bliss, that the sun
never hid his face in the western hori-
zon, on behind dark clouds, but always
looked down upon them in his greatest
splenlor, They promised me eternal
life if woa!d remain with them, that
should he king over this lordly do
main, and would always be surround
ed by objects pleasing to all the senses;
that need want for nothing. / tar
ried in my glorious abode bat a short
time, it seemed, when l determined to
visit my old home and make known
my discovery. l made my intention
known to the Inhabitants of this earth
~ paradise; they entreated and im-
plored me not to leave Them, that
could never return, wherefore if l re-
manned, slonld enjoy eternal bles-
sings. Ipaid little attention to their
eDtreaties. but laid aside my golden
robe and crown, doBned my common
clothing and proceeded on my home
ward journey; they accompanied mo
as far as the outlet of this beautiful
lard, bnt dared go TO further, for, as
they say, he who once makes his ex-
it from the valley could never return,
but thought the contrary, and after
bidding them goodbye, l started
through the long, dark passage with
my dog and gun. When I arrived at
my native village I fouad everything
changed, strange objects encountered
my sight in every direction, strangers
occupied the dwellings ofmy ancestors;
severa! generations had passed away.
| set out on my return to the valley Of
life, but could never find it. wan
dered for many years without success.
| found my strength failing; ] lost all
!. hopes of ever entering that happy land
again. At last weary of life, and my
unsuccessful search, I returned to the
home of my childhood to die amid
strangers. What was my surprise upon
waking up to find myself. beneath the
shade of spreading oak near little
brook, in the depths of forest valley.
| had been wandering over the hills
and valleys, until becoming quite wea-
ry, | sought repose in this beautiful
spot, and fell to sleep amid the music
! of forest songsters. The sun was sink
ing TO his bed of rest, and the shades
of night were stealing on and causing
deathlike stiffness to reign around
my lonely situation. l arrived at my
homo long after the hour for retiring
had arrived; the family thought some
terrible accident had befallen me, and
dispatched the servants in every di-
rection to find me. Whilst they were
preparing something to appease my
hunger, related my strange adyen-
l.tWe.