Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-08-02

had concluded to stop. A warm sup
per of trout, iced coffee, and good bread
soon made us forget Slumgullion. At
9 o'clock p. NJ we Informed our land
lord that we had been out last night,
and retired to good beds and happy
dreams. JED LAKE
[For the Bulletin.l
PHANTASMAL.
In a journey through the regions of
space, was permitted to stop at the
outside gate Of G.. BIS Heaven, where
stood the Angel Prejudice, who ques-
toned all who applied for admission.
To describe this being is impossible. No
artist could paint him, SO changeable
was he. Reason could not devise ways
by which he could be kept in position.
Upon casual observation he appeared
fair and beaming; but upon closer in
spection he was hard visaged and eyes
always askance. Coming to the gate in
the afternoon, and it being very healthy
back ON earth. especially in Buchanan
county, the arrivals at the gate were
very few. This angel was very commu-
nicative, but he always attended to bu-
siness first. At this time, as the arriv-
ais were few, he devoted all his spare
time to his visitor. He opened one of
the side windows, gave me powerful
field glass, and bade me explore Heav-
en-.
l did so, and was surprised at the
magni6cence and beauty. | directed
my vision to the region nearest the gate
and saw fields of flowers, shorn lawns,
cooling groves, refreshing springs, muir
muring brooks of crystal water, birds of
bright plumage and birds of song. The
inhabitants were gaily dressed, and
seemed to be enjoying holiday. Ever
and anon l could just catch the softest
wave of harmonious sound. | asked
the angel what day they were celebra-
ting He said no day, but said, this be-
ing Monday, it was washing day, the
drudgery day of the week. l longed to
see their everyday life and their holi-
days, but was informed that | must
first 60 back to earth and be purified.
At this, l was cast down; I wished to
enter in at once. The angel, noticing
my discontinue, made remark that at
once aroused my suspicious and brought
me to my senses:
First the cross and then the crown"
said he. "Those whom you see have
earned their ease within the walls and
presently you shall see how this is done.
No cross no CROWN" repeated he.
Great God! is man never to be from
under the curse, in the sweat of thy
brow?"
But leaving these unpleasant refec-
tions, directed my attention more par
ticularly to the inhabitants. l noticed
an entire absence of domestic animals,
and wondered how the people travelled
from place to place. The distance
seemed immense. They seemed to be a
very social people, and I was troubled
at the thought Of the distance they
must walk. Noticing my perplexity
the angel asked what troubled me. [
told him he must excuse my ignorance,
as | was yet in the body and all my
knowledge was derived primarily
through the senses.
''Then," said he, must human knowl-
edge be limited, and man doomed to
many disappointments. 1t were better
to aciW than to reason. To solve your
doubts about our ease and comfort, and
to show you the superiority of will,
look to the northwest corner of that Or
ange grove. A lady and gentleman are
about to start on visit"
Thence [ directed my vision. I was
anxious to see how it could be done and
| watched the preparations narrowly.
The gentleman spread down two large
pieces of what appeared to be paper.
To either side and to either end Of these
large pieces were attached smaller
pieces. l was directed to read. l an
swered that | could see nothing to read.
The angel then handed me more pow
erful glass; To the preparations I
again directed my attention, and l could
now read. The pieces were paper print
ed in many strange characters. Some [
could read but much could not.
Lengthwise through the middle was
printed in large letters. Al,cays Re
deemed across one end Of either large
piece was printed, mo Gold or Banks; :"
across the other end, No Interest,"" on
the smaller pieces, the wings, were
printed "We ol,ooys co." The Pledge
efMe Government" Gold is a ye,c;;"
"Gold IS opposed to Sailing;;' " "Whoerer
Steals as from, has Neighbor, Steals HIM
self Rich, Steals his Neighbor Rich, and
Steals the Government Rich at the same
time" These were printed in colors,
but l observed that green was the pre-
vailing one. l was all excitement to
see the balloon rise and go. Excuse me
for using the term, balloon" I can
describe things only by comparing them
with what have seen. | mean no dis
respect by using the term, balloon" l
was all anxiety to see the machine start.
Presently the lady and gentleman came
forward and seated themselves respect
lively upon piece. [ noticed that the
gentleman took the larger piece. just
as l expected to see them start, the
glass was suddenly darkened. l asked
the angel the reason for this. He an
swered:
"They will rise and glide easily and
safely to the places Of their destination.
Were you to see them make the voyage
you would be enquiring for the motive
power. In this place the Will is every
thing; the Reason is little. I can ex-
plain it to you and you will see there is
no difficulty in travelling to the most dis
tant regions in this country. Did you
not see the words, Always Redeemed?"
Now, what is always redeemed can meet
with no mishap. Then you saw the
words, No gold or banks; no interest" ;"
Gold, banks and interest are tangible
and heavy things. Now, as there are
none of these thing the construction
Of what you call a loon, there is no
weig hit. The 'Ple( J of the Govern
ment, which you s I, warrants ample
propelling power. With these three
properties, always fe, no weight, and
ample power, can y doubt the eficien-
cy Of the mechanism"
I could not answer "No," so logical
seemed his reasoning. Still, I felt dis
appointed that I could not see them
start. However, l was assured that to
will was all that was necessary, and the
laws of gravitation and of trade are
overcome at once. l would have ques-
toned it, but to doubt the statement of
an angel seemed presumptuous. So 1
believed as / could. As the lady SEEM
ed much the heavier, l asked why the
gentleman took the larger conveyance.
The angel answered that weight here is
not always estimated by avordupois.