The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-06

River of God and John the River of the Water of Life. Here they walked with great delight, and they joyed in the sight of fields where the lilies bloomed forever. But when they had gone on a way, It parted for time from the river and they were sadly discouraged, for the road grew rough and their feet were tender by reason of the long journey.
 So Christian was tempted to follow smooth path that ran by the side of their road through meadow, being encour- aged in his folly by one Vain-Glory, who cried to them that it was good road to the Celestial City. But this By-Path Meadow as it was called, led to a great pit; and when the night came on, Vain Glory, who war ahead, fell into it with dreadful cry and was dashed to pieces.
 Christian and Hopeful turned their steps, but the night was black and the rains came down and the waters swelled and it was very dangerous. At last they sat down and fell asleep. worn out with fears.
 Now, the grounds in which they lay belonged to a monster named Giant De- spair, who lived near by in Doubling Castle. He found them next morning, and because they were trespassers he put them into a very black dungeon, nasty and stinlxing to the spirits of these two men.
 There they lay without light or food or drink from Wednesday morning till Saturday night. Then Giant Despair asked his wife, Diffidence, what he should do with them. She counseled that he beat them without mercy He got him. self grievously great crab tree cudgel and after rating them as if they were dogs he beat them fearfully.
 Thelnext night Diffidence told her hus- band to advise them to make away with themselves. So he went down to them where they lay, moaning and very sore, and told them they could never get out of that place except they made an end to themselves. For why said he, "should you choose life, seeing it is at tended with so much bitterness?"
 Christian inclined to the thought that death were better than this life. But Hopeful spoke against the sin of self murder, and said, besides, that they might escape some time. Thus strengthened, Christian and he possessed their souls in patience.
 The giant went down to them again next night and fell into such a rage when he found them still alive that his threats made Christian tremble, and once more that good man faltered and would fain>have dispatched .himself but once more Hopeful prevailed against him,
 
 A third time came the giant and haled them into his castle yard to show them the bones and skulls of all those whom he had killed. Then he threw them into the dark dungeon again, where they lay in lamentable case.
 Christians heart was low within him. but he and Hopeful fell to praying, and prayed tili almost break of day. Then Christon arose with a cry, calling out upon himself for a foul. "I have a key in my bosom said he, "called Promise, that will open any lock in Doubling Castle Fool that l am to lie here in this vile place!"
 The door flew open with ease at the touch of the key, and so did the next door but the iron gate of the castle yard had a lock that was terribly hard. How ever, it opened, too, after a great effort, and they ran to the Kings Highway and were safe
 Without further adventure they reached the Delectable Mountains, where the shepherds who were Knowledge. Ex- perience, Watchfu and Sincere, welcomed them lovingly and led them into their tents and solaced them. They took them to the hill called Clear and showed them the Celestial Gate. Then they gave them note of the way and bade them beware of the Flatterer and the Enchanted Ground.
 Christian and Hopeful descended the mountains full of joy; but soon they came upon a parting of the roads and they knew not which they should take