The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-10-28

SALTWATER
of the River Styx parted, and the Old
Genii beheld the opposite shore.
What he saw was a vast plain, dark
and gloomy, near the banks IF the Styx,
but melting away into he di stance
where the mellow light of a golden Au-
rora tinted the horizon. like the dawn
of summer day. And over this plain
wandered a multitude Of shades and
shadows, moving hither and thither,
aimlessly, to and fro. Ever and anon,
small groups would detatch themselves
from the multitude and moveaway into
the golden horizon, losing themselves
forever in the infinite space beyond.
And many there were, seemingly weak
and weary, who fell down and were
trampled upon and became as the dust
of the plain and they, too, were lost
forever.
AS many as moved away into the dis
tance and as many as fell into the dust,
as many more came to take their places,
ard so there was ever a m ultitu 9
Of shades and shadows on the opposite
banks of the River Styx, moving aim
lessly to and fro.
Then Charon. remembering that it
was not meet that anyone should smile
in such place resumed his mournfui
mien, and the partings in the mist were
close and hung like veil again over
the waters of the Styx.
Now the OldaGenii was not mortal
and as Charon knew this he thought it
would not be indiscreet on his part ii
he became confidential with the Old
Genii, for Charon was anxious to talk
confidentially with some one. Those
whom Charon had always met would
speak of nothing bnt their own grief
and wee. In all the aeons that Charon
had been on the banks of the Styx he
had never sem a smile, nor heard one
cheerful word, nor met anyone W b o
would listen to Charon's tales of woe,
so it is not surprising that Charon felt
dispot ed to gossip with the Old Genii,
who, by the way, was q pleasant ap-
pearing old person. So Charou spoke
and said:
"My friend, there is Gate called
Death. There is a passing from the
Present to the Beyond. The Present
is Lere on Earth, and the Beyoni is on
the opposite shores of the Styx-a place
called Hades-and upon which ou have
so rec emily looked.
"It is my duty to ferry across to the
opposite shore wbomsoever may come
Few there are who come of their own
accord, but nevertheless, they all come
sooner or later-the bold and strong
and the weak and timid, the great anG
the small, the righteous and the un
righteous, the wise and the foolish-al
come to old Charon for their last ferry
ride across the Styx.
"There are no tolls to pay and there
are no gratuities given. As they came
into the world so must they pass out
Naked and unadorned they pass to tb'
opposite shores OF the River Styx, ant
ascend or descend to that level to which
their worldly preparations entitle them
4 "On this side of the River Styx," con
tinued Charon, "they must leave al
their worldly goods. All their titles
their honors and dishcnors, their rec
ords, their regulations and their char
actere, whether good, bad or Indifferent
as judged by mans standard, must b
left behind.
, "There is no Herald. nor Gate Keeper
nor Final Judge on the opposite shore
of the River Styx. Every man is judg
aud as the light is given to him to sc.
so sees he his neghbor.
"Those who 60 down into the dus
| are the hypocrites, the pretenders, tn
worldly wicked, and 0 m times h
, ambitious who have clothed themselve
> in avarice and deceit.
; "Those who pass into the golden A,
rora on the distant horizon are the VII
tuous and good, the faithful and tru
= of heart, aud more especially he ewh
! spread the bre ad mantle of charity ovs
all mankind and calls every man |
i brother"
q When the Old Genii received this II
n formation he was greatly surprised an
stood for q long time wrapped in dee
d meditation. while Charon was atten,
4 ing to crowd of late arrivals who wei
. / waiting to be ferried across.