The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-09-30
THE DEACON'S STORY.

IL w tlS CONl lIliIS III w , ,ttiU IHN
place was crowded to its utmost
capacity. The jolly host Of the
Black Bear rubbed his hands and
stroked his well developed waist
coat, as room after room in the
tavern was filled. The bur.room
was, as usual, we'll stocked with
customers, and frequent we're the
calls made on "mine hosts" sup
ply Of liquors. \ crowd was con-
gregated in the immediate vicini-
ty of the fire and seemed in a hap
py state Of mind collectively. JcSts
and rcpartee were banded from
one to another, and mirth-pro-
voking stories were told.
The chief talker, however, was
a smart, dapper little lawyer, who
had gained a case that day, and
therefore seemed to consider him.
self as "something considerable"
lie had a smart saying for every
one,and but few escaped his jest.
His principal victim, however,
was Deacon Jones. Many stories
be told about deacons, and inquir-
ed if Jones was the Deacon who,
when he was elected to that high
position, was SO ovtrjoyed that,
on his arrival home: happening to
meet his COW, he threw his arms
on her neck, exclaiming, 80, Nun
ny! you are no common COW now;
you're 4 deacon's cow" and many
other questions Of like import.
The deacon stood it pretty well,
and bore the laugh like martyr.
At length, be said he had story
to tell, and demanded a hearing.
Silence was obtained through the
cxcrtion Of the little lawyer, who
was overjoyed at the thought Of
getting a story from the deacon.
"Ye see, Mr.. Lawyer" began
Jones, "last summer when the chol-
era was around, | cetchcd it. 1t
went mighty bad with me, I tell
ye, so that they gave me up, and |
bid my family good-by, and made
up my mind to die as only y Chris
tian can | hope when your time
comes you can do the same, but
I'm afraid )" and the deacon shook
his head salemnly. "Well, ye see,
l didn't 'zactly die, but | Ca me
pretty near it. I welt off in a
trance"
SIN trance !" exclaimed the
lawyer.
eyes, in trance ?"
"What were your sensations?'
"That was jest what l was com
ing to. l thought that the angel
Gabriel came to my bedside and
raised me up and carried me
through the sky, until we stood
before the gates of heaven.
Il thought that the angel turned
to me and said, Mortal, you are
brought here to sec some of the
glories of heaven and the miseries
of hell; then you will return and
rejoin your friends on earth, to
abide there 4 short season, after
which you will return to heaven,
and partake Of the happiness OF
the elect.
"Then we entered the gates, and
my ears were saluted with sounds
Of melody aadpraise. But will not
attempt to describe all | saw and
heard. The angel was very COM
municative, and readily answered
all my questions. Wishing 10
know about few Of my friends,
who had gone before me, l ques-
toned him concerning them.-
Some he called to his presence,
but at the name of some he signi-
fcantly shook his head. | inquir-
cd for Squire Grasper.' The shake
was repeated. Supposing he mis-
understood me, l again inquired.
Another shake.
"'ue was q member Of our
church in good standing,' said l.
"'He was q lawyer said the
angel, was be not?'
"'Yes,' said l.
"'We have no lawyers here,
was the reply.
A burst of laughter went up from
the entire company, and the law
yers themselves participated there
in. The deacon continued:
":We then left heaven, and pass
ed through a dark cloud, entered
the confines ofhell. We paused al
the gate and knocked. The door
swung slowly back, ard we enter
ed. For 4 short space l could set
nothing but confused mass roll
ing here and there but my eyes
soon became accustomed to th'
sight and perceived spirits dart
ing now here, now there, and seem
ing as if trying to escape som
terrific fate. The Prince Of Dark
ness himself did the honors, an
showed US round. Still wishing t
see the Squire, I inq"ired for hin
Satan clasned his fnc,ers TO his heaC