The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-10-18
ONLY A DREAM.
BY JOE ARCHIBALD.

| was sitting one evening in the
Seamen's Bethel of one of our large
cities in the company of several sailors.
Stories had been told by all Of us save
Tom Townsen, an old sailor of about
sixty years He had been sinner,
black sheep, but as he would say, II
am now Christian; my past is bu-
ried." We asked him for his story,
and here it is.
"Well, friends, you have been tell
ing stories that you have read in story
books, but I'm going to tell you a true
story. Something that happened to
me, and if it had not happened as it
did, l don't think that l would be
here tonight. You know, all of you,
that l have been a bad fellow. Used
to drink, play cards and swear at every
breath. | would curse every man that
would speak of reform and would
damn the very foundation that every
church stood on. never entered a
church; the coffee-h0use was good
enough for me, but all that has passed.
| am now Christian; my past is
buried. 1t came about this way:
"About five years ago | sailed from
Boston in the Bedford Bellc;' she ran
from Boston to the West Indies. We
left port with a fair wind and had
been out three days when a storm
arose. | was sent aft to do some work
when a big sea washed over the vessel,
carrying me and some timber over
board. | heard the mems cry of Man
overheard = and that was the last |
heard, that is the last time l remem-
Der, for when l struck the water |
became insensible.
Il was siezed by two imps, one on
each side of me, and carried through
the water. Finally we landed on IA
hard, smooth floor. 1t was as smooth
as glass. gazed around me in admi-
ration at the beauties that | saw. |
looked ut the imps. They seeing my
surprise, began to laugh. Never shall
| forget that laugh After letting
me gaze and wonder Il little they
forced me on until we came to a large
room. At the farther end stood a
throne. and on it sat an old man.
Around him were countless mermaids,
each one trying to please him with
their smiles, but he did not notice
them, he was looking at me. l was
conducted to the foot of the throne
and one of the imps said: Ruler of
the deep, see what we have brought
you! Do with him as you deem fit "
"The king looked at me for a while,
then said: Subject of the upper
world, you are before the king OF the
seas. In my domain there is no crime,
no sin You are IN the presence of
people who have never sinned. Their
souls have never been spotted by
crime. Yours has. You have lived a
sinful life and with my far-seeing eye
/ have seen the sins that you have
committed. Have seen you when
You struck your wife, while drunk,
then left her. With my ear |
have heard the curses that y0a have
uttered. Your life has been a dark
one. Look around you and see how
bright and beautiful everything is.
See the happy, contentcd look of my
subjects and think If you had differ
ent ife you would be like them. Go
now, do as l say, then prepare for
your fate!
81 could not move or speak. Sew
eral times while the king had been
speaking, had tried to speak, but all
in vain. Strength finally came to me
and l left the kings presence. |
walked around fcasting my eyes on all
that saw. Never had | seen any
thing so beautiful. After walking
around for some time the imps came
up to me. When saw them | tried
to escape, bat | could not move. They
must have soen my efforts for they
began to laugh. They told me was
wanted by the king and his words
came back to me to prepare for your
fate
"The second time | was brought
into his presence and he said Sub
ject of the upper world, you are before
me for the second and last time You
have led a sinful life and have been
asked to repent, but you needed not.
You are now to drink II liquid COM
posed OF the souls Of the sinful. When
you drink it think how foul your own
soul is. Proceed p
IL was siezcd by the two imps and
some one forced open my mouth and |
was made to swallow liquid. Never
had | tasted such stuff before.
Mercy! l cried.
"'Do you swear that you will repent
II grant you mcrcy?'
"'Ycs,' cried. l would have said
yes to anything just to be free.
"'Then release him. Now 20 and
remember your PROMISE
II was again siezed by the imps and
hurried to the surface OF the ocean.
They left me and opened my eyes.
What do you suppose saw? ! was
on my back and my messmates were
around me. They had been forcing
some rum down my throat and that
was the vile stuf that had tasted.
In going overheard had struck my