Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-03-18
4 STRANGE LAND.

weary, ard, after supper, j seated my
-clf in front Of the fire, filed my ia
yorite pipe and began to smoke.
Smoke generally has a soothing efiect
on me. but tonight | felt ugly and
cross. ! was tired of work. Toll a
hard as | would, it seemed impossible
To get ahead. The office grew daily
more mbearabie, and | sighed for a
change, cursed my poverty and all the
depriyations to which it subjected me
Work! work! work. ! said to my
self, "year in and year out, to keep
body and soul together, and when un-
able To work longer, then die. Such is
life."
| had unused for some time over my
hard fate, when ! gradually became
aware that sweet feeling Of calm and
repose was stealing over my drowsy
senses. ! could not account for it in
any way rs | had not even taken one
glass Of liquor the whole day long.
"OhW / murmurcd, Il am happy, if
IL could always be like this, no work
forever. CHI for land where work is
never heard Of How quick ] wosld
liz there Oh. everlasting bliss. !"
Suddenly tire room seemed to grow
brighter, and looking up saw figure
fobed III White and with snowy wings
standing near me. The face of the
figure wls one Of exquisite loveliness
and perfect calm was not frighten-
~. The beautiful mild look upon the
coumtcnance Of the figure gave me no
cause for alarm, 50 said;
Who are YOU"
"A spirit answered the figure
''Apple-jack Or Rye"
Rash mortal, beware" said the
spirit, with a frown
well what do You mean by com
ing around here on winters night
with only i night-gown on. Why don't
yon buy III ulstcr?'
Fool vain fool" said the spirit. 81
come to aid thee and thou dost mock
ne; art thou aware that | know all
lhings2'
II that so2' replied Where's the
eat?"
The spirit only frowncd, and 50 |
4ald
when will Tmnmany disband2"
M answer came from the spirit, but
| fancied saw him wink his left optic.
DO you know who wrote the tMorev
letter.
imagined the spirit grew nervous,
~ | said
Being is you Arc from the other
world, and no doubt pretty well posted
on the affairs Of your own country,
will you please tell me the probabilities
of Jim Bennett ever wearing Ii white
robe and banging tin harp 1T ii
celestial picnic?'
The spirit gave u frIghtful groan, and
| thought ! would no longer converse
~ personal matters
Wei, who are YOU anyhow" | ask
81 Are you delegate in disguise
from the committee of one hundred
hunting up recruits for the party?"
Rash mortalr said the spirit; Il
Was flying through the air and heard
thy complaints against toll If thou
lrt weary come with me and rest"
We'll, you're i brick, after all, !
replied Put il there; and if You will
take i seat for few moments ! will
rush the growler"
The spirit looked ut me in IL melan-
eholy way ms if it did not understand.
Have i cigar then rs you don't
drink!
Foolish mortal, come with me if
thou woultlst toll no more said the
spirit in Il deep voice.
I'm Your oyster" | replied
Be it 50, said the spirit.
The spirit waved its hands over ME
and iii an instant I'LL grew dark
heard II loud buzzing in my head and
felt myself carried through the air ut Il
terrific rate Of speed At last felt
mysclfsct gently down and heard the
spirit say
Look
opened my eyes and looked |
shall never forget the sight | was in
Il beautiful country; the mir was balmy
and perftmed; the most charming and
exquisite flowers and trees grew in
great profusion and endless variety as
FIR rs the eye could reach Rare birds
of yarigated and and brilliant plumage
flew from tree to tree, singing in
melodious harmony; brooks of pure
water which reflected all the hues of
the rainbow, bahbled and laughed be-
meath the trees. peaceful calm pre-
vailed and feeling Of infinite rest
stole over me as | viewd the beauties
OF the landscape before me.
Where. oh where am H." | asked
the spirit hy my side.
This, said the spirit, ''this is the
land where no man works
For Heavens sake" | said, don't
lei Abe Hewitt know it, or he will be
here with Thompson, Cooper and lot
af heclers, and commence to reorgan-
~ tile country III twenty -four hours
after they arrive"
The spirit smiled.
No man enters here without my
aid, he said
Nh" exclaimed, YOU are perhaps
Ghnirspirit of the committee on Organ
lzation. Do they ever try to work the
doodle racket ON you9'
Rash mortal, cease thy mockery."
said tile spirit.
II assure you, my dear spirit, that
Messrs. Foster, Goodwin, Helbig and
llaifen did not think il was mockery."
II know not Of what thou speaketh
! heard thy complaints against thy
daily toll and came 10 thy aid. Here
81 tAtiN I4slNi llO iiltii VOL W. lNlllil
and ENJOY myself
But don't see what I'm to eat. |
sail
Fruit, +" said the spirit
Great graft, | replied
WHAT" thundered the spirit.
Il remarked that | supposed that
there must be great graft to have such
line fruit, | answered.
Farewell" said the spirit, and he
vanished in the air.
We'll, | said to myself, 1--WE struck
\ picnic IT last No more toll, nothing
y DO hut eat and sleep. No more Of
flee work for me-
went over to one of the trees and
oil an apple and ate it. 1t tasted good
and ate several more, rs | was rather
hungry. | admired the scenery, and
wondered if | would be missed ut my
boarding house on the mundane
sphere; and. as | owed the landladv a
weeks board, | felt positive that she,
IL least, would cherish my memory.
Then, again. thought Of my old com
panions, and tiled to imagine what
they would think If thev sow r,,.. ,,icl-