The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-11-07

| lnere was once OedutAiul iHuldH Sitiy
who died. suddenly, on the day she was
to have been married to a b-ave and
handsome young hunter, who had won the
praises of his tribe by his bravery in war,
and his success in the chase.
But from the hour his betrothed was
buried, war and hunting lost their
charms for him, and he neglected his war
club and his bow.
| He often visited the spot where she
was buried and sat musing there for
hours.
| He had heard the old people of the
tribe say, that there was path that led to
| the land Of souls, and lie determined to
follow it, and accordingly set ont one
morning after having completed his pre-
paratiOn for the journey.
Guided by the tradition he went south
ward.
| For awhile. no change appeared IN the
face of the country, the hills and valleys.
forests and streams, had the same look
they wore on his native plains.
| The snow still covered the ground.
After a while it began to diminish. and
| as he walked on. finally disappeared, and
he found that he had left behind him the
region of snow and ice.
| The air became mild and balmy; the
sky was of pure blue; the trees were
covered with leaves; he saw flowers be-
side his path. and heard the song OF the
! birds.
| By these SIGNS he knew he was going
the right way, for they agreed with the
traditions Of his tribe.
! At length he spied narrow path
which led him through grove, then mp a
long and elevated ridge. on the very TOP
of which he came to a lodge.
! At the door stood an old man, with long
white hair. whose deeply sunk eyes had a
fiery brilliancy. He had long robe of
skins thrown loosely around his shoulders.
and staff in his hands.
! The young man began to tell his story.
but the venerable chief arrested him be
fore he had spoken ten words.
81 have expected you" he replied, "anG
had Just risen to bid you welcome to my
abode. She, whom you seek, passed hero
but short time since, and being fatlgued
with her Journey. rested herself here. En-
ter my lodge. and be seated, and ! then
will satisfy your inquiries, and give you
directions for your journey from this
point.
Having done this, and refreshed HIM
self by rest, they beth issued forth from
the lodge door. $3.50
You see yonder gulf, said the old Imam.
| land the wide stretching plain beyond:
| it is the land of souls; you stand upon its
borders. and my lodge Is the gate Of en-
| trance But you can not take your body
along. Leave ii here with your bow and
arrows, your bundle and your dog. You
| will find them safe upon your return.
| la, fb.. ln.lul and
the freed traveller bounded forward. as if
his feet had suddenly been endowed with
the power of wings. But all things re-
tanned their natural co!ors and shapes.
| The woods and leaves, streams and dales
were more bright and beautiful than he
had ever before seen.
Animals bounded across his path with a
| freedom and confidence which seemed to
tell him there was no blood shed there.
! Birds Of beautiful plumage warbled in
the groves.
ed as unusual. He noticed that his pass
age was not stopped by trees and other
objects. He appeared to walk directly
through them; they were, in fact. but the
images or shadows of material forms. and
he became sensible that he was in the
land of souls.
| FINALLY he came to the banks of a
| broad lake. In the centre of which was
large and beautiful island. He found
! canoe of white shining stone, tied to the
| shore, and was now sure that he had come
to the right path, for the aged man had
told him Of this. Immediately entering
| the canoe, and taking the shining pad
dies in his hands. to his Joy and surprise,
ON turning around. he beheld the object of
his search in another canoe, exactly the
counterpart of his. She had exactly imi-
tated his motions. and they were side by
side. and they at once pushed out from
| the shore and began to cross the lake.
| Its waves seemed to be rising, and at a
distance looked ready to swallow them up.
But, lust Us they entered the whitened
edge, they seemed to melt away, as Ifthey
were but the images of waves. They were
| in perpetual fear, which was increased by
the clearness of the water. through which
they could see the bones of those who had
persisted before. The Master Of Life had.
however. decreed to let them pass, for the
thoughts and acts of neither had been
bad. Blu. they saw many others strug-
Cling and sinking III the waves. Old men
and vounA males and females Of
| all ages N ,ere there. Some pass
| ed and SOL b. II was only the little
children Y. canoes seemed to make
| no waves.
At length ~ " difficulty was gone. as
in moment, and they both leaped out OF
the happy island. The very arr was food;
! II strengthened and nOurished them, and
they wandered together over the blissful
fields, where everything was found to
| please the eye and ear. There were no
.empests: there was no ice. nor chilly
winds; no one shivered for the want ut
warm clothes: no one suffered from hun
ger.
They saw no graves; they heard no
wars.
Gladly would the young warrior have
remained there forever, but he was obliged
to go back for his body.
he did not see the Master of Life, but
he heard his voice, as if 1t were = soft
breeze. ''Go back, said this voice. Ito
the land whence you came, your time
has not vet come The duties for which !
made you. are not vet finished.
Return TO your people. and accomplish
the acts of a good man. You will be the
ruler of your tribe for many days.
The rules you will observe will be told
you by my messenger who keeps the gate.
When he surrenders back your body he
will tell you what to do.
Listen to him. and you will afterwards
reioin the spirit which you have followed,
but whom you must now leave behind.
She is accepted, and will be ever here, as
young and as happy, as she was when |
first called her from the land Of SHOWS.
When this voice ceased, the young man
awoke. 1t was the fancy work Of a dream.
and he was still in the bitter land Of
SHOWS, hunger, death and tears.
Interestisg Legal Decision.
Judge Rogers, Of Chicago has decided
novel and interesting point connected with
the rendition of fugitives from justice. In