Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-05-31
SMOKING OPIUM.
n Writer'S Vivid First Experience with
the Terrible Drag.

The boss-"Smokec, John" (John
is the Christian name of all pale faces,
so far rs the Chinaman is concerned. J
The writer-"Yes, if youll give me
a moderate dose"
The boss-Evel smokee sometime
alleady"
The writer-"Once. A long time
ago"
The boss-"Allee lightee. Fixee
you"
The writer-"Don't put more than
pound and half in."
The boss with grin that looked
rs If the side Of the house was
coming in)-"Me lxee all lightee.
Gettee up"
The writer took possession of a
private stateroom, while the bias-eyed
son of the sun manipulated the
gummy mass and filled the pipe.
"Now, smokee," said he; "blow
through nosee."
The writer inhaled scveral-more or
less-puffs, and then began to expert
ence heavy, depressing sensation
across the chest.
At this commencement the ears
were thrilled by softly wierd strains of
such music as no mortal ever heard
before, and at the same time the writer
was led to large gilded or golden
platform, which lowered aloft in the
upper portion Of the room, and was
reached by stairs that dazzled the eye
at first, but afterward soOthed it and
seemed to entrance the visitor.
Ascending, the summit was reached.
and, looking down TO the floor he hal
just left, a sight presented itself which
the writer must acknowledge himself
unable 10 portray. 1t was a hundred
thousand fairy lands combined in one
vast picture of loyeliness and supreme
beauty. Seated on a divan. and sur
rounded by bevy of bewildering
beautiful minXes, whose angelic voices
and merry laughter made the brain
whirl, the writer prayed that he might
never again see the outside world,
but that he might live TO eternity
amid those scenes. His every wish
was gratiled on the instant. A request
was scarcely made but it was fulfilled.
He hesitatcd to give voice TO his
wishes lest they might offend, his
every thought was interpreted even
before it matured, and his desires were
answered,a and the rare wine and costly
jewels were brought him and laid
before him before he had dared even
hope for their possession.
Below me was scene Of dazzling
beauty. Fountains Of golden waters
gladdened the eye at intervals about
the room, while the perfume Of rare
cXotics filled the atmosphere and en-
eryatcd the brain. Thousands upon
thousands Of pretty girls in Oriental
costumes fitted here, there and every
where, and came and went at the
writer's command. No wish was uu-
gratifcd, no desire unfulGlled II was
a paradise on earth. There was no
male present but himself The China
man had disappeared and the writer
was alone in his glory. Oh, for the
pen Of Dante Oh. for the dcscrip-
tive powers of Byron
Suddenly a shadow came across the
room, and the pretty girls disappeared
one by one. Even those upon the dia'
withdrew. The Chinaman rcappeared
and informed the writer that a terrible
storm was approaching, and that they
must return ut once. Even as he
spoke, the distant mutterings of
thunder could be heard. and then the
lightning flashes darted across the
room. IL was terrible storm. The
attendant tore the costly lace from the
writer's body, and at his command a
hundred or more hideous looking
creatures gathered around and aided
him in tormenting the writer. They
took of the top of his head with ham
mers and chisels, and picked his brain
out piece by piece, grinning hideously
the while. Then they began to tear
the flesh from the bones. and one more
vicious than the rest grasped his
tongue and kept pulling it out inch by
inch, foot by foot. until he could feel
the very soles Of his boots give way
and start on their upward journey
through his marrow. They then
placed his head between two large re-
yolying stone cylinders, and he heard
ba gbrtlI I,gra l..