Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-08-27
A DREAM OF LIVE.


of walking and gazing sat down in a
retired corner, and fell into reverie,
at last into dream, And | saw in my
dream an exposition larger than tha' 1T
Buffalo or Chicago or Paris. Methought
it was owned by one Person, and conduct-
ed by his Son.
As | was near the exit, | sat watching
the people | had known when awake as
they went out. And the gates of en-
trance and exit were exceeding narrow. /
bade a gentleman good day. He cast on
me a great, kindly eye. and spoke good
word. He did not perhaps know that
scrutinized what he carried, But there
in his open satchel were bundles of let
tiers containing thanks for the kindnesses
he had done. He also carried package
OF leaves from some aromatic tree. 1t
was marked: The love of many" He
had expended half his talents to procure
IT, 1t seemed no weight to him, but it
gave great cheer. aaa
He had also several badges on his
breast, which answered as orders or
checks for anything in the exhibition.
asked him how he came by them, and
he replied that the owner of the estab-
hshment. when he saw him in the de-
partment where the garments of praise
were sold, attached these badges. and told
him he could have anything he asked.
And so my friend was well provided with
the best of everything, for he was a per-
son OF discernment, and refused to carry
away anything cheap Particularly he
had been careful to turn all his gold Tito
drafts on the bank Of the great Metropo-
lis of Souls, towards which he was tray
cling.
The manner in which this transaction
was conducted was as follows: That
bank had correspondents in the exposi-
ton here and there. To them he gave
of such as he had. To some sympathy,
TO some his substance, to some he i'm
parted thoughts in precious casket. But
always their principal N the great City
of Souls knew by direct wire the amount
of the transaction, and | believe my
friend is a very opulent citizen of that
strong based city wherein is no temple.
Presently l saw another go out. He
was somewhat corpulent, and burdened
by bulky and weighty parcels, which caus-
ed him some pain and anxiety lest he
should not get them all through the door.
/ noticed several deeds to real estate
peepng from his pocket, and inquired if
he felt sure the rentals would pass as
money of the realm where he was going.
He looked at me obviously, and pufed
on, hugging the papers. He had also eyi-
IDENTIFY been in the wholesale department,
for he carried sacks Of wheat and bolts
of cloth. One said to him as he groaned
along They hunger no more at the
Soul Metropolis. Better drop those food
products"
But what" said the poor man, shall
l do? These parcels form the greatest
part of my purchases. I've spent years in
procuring them, and if | let them go
shall be almost empty handed No!
must try to get past the custom house"
And with troubled, half-despairing look,
he wiped his dripping forehead and pass
ed along.
One shuffled by with only a dice box
and an empty flask, and, more astonish-
| ing STILL one had nothing whatsoever.
| When l asked them how it occurred, see
| ing they were in an exposition teeming
| with bargains, they replied that they had
| gone from counter to counter. exchang-
! ing a better thing for worse, which they
wanted at the moment, and now they Lad
descended to this plight, when they re-
ceived an imperative summons to go as
they were.
Then there were little children who ran
along singing, and all they had was a
halo of sunshine and jewel case of trust
They told me they were not afraid. for
what they had would buy anything.
marveled a little because | had heard par
| ents in that fair tell their children they
must be wise and carry many things.
But now saw that these lit ,e ones were
| right. Indeed, l hear they have the
eutree to all the parks and palaces of the
| City Of Souls, and he that loves Them
| spreads tabernacle over them, and leads
| them to woudrous fountains that glow
and play with gorgeous and manifold
| beauty.
Last of all, a dear little old man lof
! historic name) went out of the door. He
! had spent all he had, but left the rur-
chases to be delivered. When | asked
| him if he had no fears that they would
miscarry, he looked wonderingly at me,
| and took out little notebook where. at
| the bottom Of his list of purchases. he
made me read: Il know him whom have
| DeileNeu anu am peTsudueu ne Is Abte TO
! keep that which / have committed unto
him against that day" And so he went
along with a bright, expectant eye /
was sure lin my dream) that he would not
| be disappointed.
| / saw also a strange thing: All that
men had with them when they entered
| the fair was taken from them as they
went out. Ii seems they had been warn
| ed to expend all they had while in the
/ fair All unexpended balances were lost.
| But when wise buyer went out, beau
| tiful old patriarch with a harp would
turn to the gatekeeper and say. Lift
| up the gater
! l saw, therefore, that people who de-
/ sired the best gifts went out richest. I
! perceived that quality. not quantity, was
most convenient at the door, and partic-
| ularly that they whose works were left
| to follow them were counted wise. !
heard they were heirs. according TO
! promise, of eternal life. / was most
| struck by this: The anxious shoppers who
| had tried 10 carry away the whole es-
| adjustment got away to the other side
| with far less than those who had con-
| verted their property and left their or
| derS, eonhding 10 the government Of the
| city to which they were going to see that
/ all was done well. These wen, on smil-
/ Ing and nodding kindly, always with a
sweet good night
/ Bu just here | was touched by 4 mes
/ yen-cr who said. Il find you sleeping in
/ this wide market. Go at once" I had