The Placer herald., 1871-03-04
{ he was driving him down to hell.

if he was driving him down to hell.
Exactly, replied the man of fire. "lou
might have known it long ago if you had
been as shrewd as most men bring down
here. They guess it as soon as they hear
the rumbng noise, and find that the way is
all down hill. Some of them struggle des-
perately to get away, but they might just as
we'll save their strength and sit still, for, as
| said before, no one who gets into my wag-
on ever gets out again until he gets out at
the Gate. You have shown your sense in
one way, John Morgan in not trying to get
away from me. You are as safe as If You
were already on the other side of the black
walls, and walking OH our well lighted
streets"
At this moment Morgan made desperate
attempt to jump from the wagon, but he
found himself held as if in vice, and he
found, too, that he was held by some invisi-
ble means. His companion did not hold
him with his arms of fire-one hand held the
reins and the other hung at his side.
ola! hal" he laughed, 81 gave you cred
it for being man of sense, but you have
forfeited my good opinion. Jump again,
John Morgan, jump again; who knows but
you may be able to break the chains that
bind you.
Morgan was in despair. lie thought Of
his happy home and loving wife. He should
never see them more; he was on the down.
ward road to everlasting torment, and he
had been assured by his companion that he
would never see them again. What had he
done to merit this awful fate? What great
sin had he committed that such sudden des-
tructon had been visited upon him I? Why
was it that he had not died first, if he was
then on his way to the Internal regions? And
then he thought it probable that he had
died, and that the transition was so easy he
knew nothing of it. He tried to think-he
could remember of sitting by the fire with
the newspaper in his hand; he could remem-
Der how the storm howled around the house,
ard how a knock had come to the door, and
he had opened it and admitted the stranger
who was then at his side. Was he dead
then? Or had he died since he got into the
wagon? He could not remember of being
sick; he could not think of any accident that
had befallen him. What did it all mean?
His reflections were cut short by an ex-
clamaton from his companion. ..
"Look J" he exclaimed, "there is the Big
Gate, and shall soon be compelled to part
company with you. You will alight there,
and then will drive up the hill again.
have other work to do"
Morgan looked and saw a gate, around
which stood four or five men. The light
streamed out from the opening, dispcling
the darkness, and lighting up the surround
ings with frightful glare.
"Well, d'y see?' shouted the driver, to
the men at the gate. ''I've come with an
other pigeon, and he's gay one, too ?" And
then to Morgan, 'jump out, now-we're at
our Journeys end-our swift little ride is
over"
Morgan was assisted to alight by his COM
panion, and then he was compelled to walk
up to the gate and look in. He recoled
with horror.
''Oh! take me back, take me back y he
pleaded. "What have l done to merit this
awful punishment? DO not, imporc you,
compel me to enter the gate"
The driver had vanished, and one of the
persons at the gate, who looked more like
demon than a man, replied to him:
"You wish to 60 back, eh? 1t is rarely
indeed, we find man who has come this far
that doesn't wish to go back. A look inside
of our gate generally satisfies him that
winter in the frozen zone would be pleasant
er than winter down here. But we can't
let you go back. What assurance have we
that if we should allow you to 90 home for
a season you would return to us again p
Drowning men will catch at straws, and
Morgan caught at the words of the speaker.
A ray of hope crept into his saddened heart
81 'cH come back-I promise you on the
word of gentleman that will return when
ever you send for me. Let me 90 home,
arrange my affairs and bid adieu to my wife,
She will be almost distracted on account of
my long absence. Oh, | implore you, let
me remain at home for few days, and then
will come again ?"
"Ha! ha. we understand you We know
how you would come again. Fling open the
gate, ye demonsl The occupants of hell will
bid John Morgan welcomed"
He grasped Morgan by the collar, and
was about to hurl him in; great cloud Of
smoke came floating out, and those who
stood around sent up a startling demonical
yell.
Morgan struggled desperately, but he was
overcome; he was pushed forward, and with
a feightful yell, fell-cff his chair.
"Why, John, said Annie, laughing, what
did you tumble down there for? You rolled
off your chair just like little boy. Why
don't you be more dignifed p
"What a horrible dream! And really
there was no man here ? 1t seemed SO like
a frightful reality. Oh, how glad am that
it was only dream y
And Annie would not rest until John had
related it all to her, and although she shiv-
cred little during it's recital, yet she heard
him through and advised him thereafter not
to sleep in his chair-it was an uncomforta-
bic position, and apt to occasion ugly dreams.
The mistress Of a district school in town