The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-06-06
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the county of Coveting. These shrewd
men had come by an easy way; and
though they had no sacred roll OF ar
NOR. they tried to persuade Christian
that the Celestial City could be reach
ed as we'll by waiting for good wealth
er and picking pleasant roads as by
the straight and narrow path.
Christian. returned them q reply that
displeased them sadly, so that they
fell behind, muttering. and the two
pilgrims were soon rid of them en-
tirely, aud In q most woeful manner
The four went aside from the path to
look at a silver mine in a hill called
Lucre, owned by q courtly gentleman
named Dernas. who cosxed them to get
some treasure. They went into II and
were never seen again on the way.
Presently Christian and Hopeful
came to pleasant river which David
called the River Of God. and John the
walked with great delight, and they I
joyed In the sight OF fields where the
lilies bloomed forever. But when they
had gone on way, II 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 g meadow. being
encouraged in his folly by one Vain.
Glory. who cried TO them that It was a
good road to the Celestial City. But
this By-Path Meadow. as 1t was call
ed. led to a great pit: and when the
night came on. Vain Glory. who was
ahead, fell into 1t with a 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
Despair, who lived near by In Doubt
ing Castle He found them next morn
ing, and because they were trespass-
ers he put them into a very black dun
geon. nasty and shrinking 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 himself a grievously great crab
tree cudgel and after rating them as
II they were dogs ne beat them fear
fully.
The next night Dinidence told her
husband 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
nevor get out OF that place except they
made an end to themselves. For
Why said he, should you choose life,
seing It is attended with so much Bit
terness7'
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 passed
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 fam have dispatched him.
self: but once more Hopeful prevailed
against him. though only with much
diflculty.
A third time came the giant and
hailed 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 pray
ing. and prayed till almost break Of
day Then Christian arose with cry,
calling out upon himself for a fool
II have a key in any BOSOM" said he
called Promise, mat will open any
lock in Doubling Castle. Fool that I
am TO lie here in this vile place"
The door few open with ease at the
touch OF the key. and so did the next
door; but the iron gate at the castle
yard had lock that was terribly hard
However. It opened. too. after a great
effort. and they ran to the Kings High
way and we're safe.
Without further adventure they
reached the Delectable Mountains,
where the shepherds. who were KnowI-
edge, Experience, Watchful and Sim
cere. welcomed them lovingly and led
them into their tents and solaced
them. They took them TO the hill
called Clear and showed them the Ce-
lestial Gate. Then they gave them
a note of the way and bade them be-
ware OF the Flatterer and the Enehant-
ed 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,
FIR bdfh aeefned euuaIl+ straight before