Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-01-21
A FirefIy'S Adventure

Was IL a twilight dream2
Sitting in ;he summer twilight near an open
window. ! heard low voices. Looking out. !
could distinctly see, for each bore tiny
lantern. two fireflies promenading back and
forth on the rock work which bordered flower
bel They seemed to be congeninl spirits. hap
PLY met. At first / could catch only murmur-
ed fragments OF their conversation. but draw
ing nearer in their walk they paused under
the window. Thus ! was enabled 10 hear the
narration Of a most remarkable adventure. in
my eager interest I forgot that ! was acting
the dishonorable part OF esvesdrOpper.
land you saw old man Blsnk there?' inQur-
ed one OF the other In great establishment.
Yes" Essented the other, breaking into
rippIes of melodious laughter. land dancns:
with the others to beat the band"
1T is almost past belief!' exclaimed the
first. pray tell me the whole wonderful
story
LAST Christmas night" commenced the
other in q low tone, Il passed through the old
light. and ron can fancy how weird and IN
earthly Il seemed a cloudy night when YOU
are first IN darkness. then in dim moonlight.
Tho naked trees, with banners of long grav
moss shivering IN the wind. seemed like a phau-
tom army called TO a halt; the river sobbng n
reqHiem over the dying year and an owl.
throned upon limb in a darksome, nook Of
the swsmp. hooting dismally. There is a
sunken grave there old that no one remcm-
and approaching IL ] stopped in terror. my
heart bounding like frightened rabbit. Then,
STOPPING over the grave, with foot planted on
either side the figure of man clearly
another man from its depth and as he drew The
other on level ground his eyes were shut as -
asleep. and leaf mould still chung 10 his face
and hair.
Wake up said the first. shaking him.
] have been sert TO guide you below. We
Then the two ghosts glided swiftly toward
the cliff. which towers above the river. My
terror had given place 20 q consuming curiosI-
II. and I followed after them. into l know
not what peril. They descended until they
came TO = large rock iuttins out from the face
81 the cliff. The guide raped this three
times and Immediately a door noiselessly open
ed, revealing a wide staircase. which slop2d
far downward and was finally engufed in
midnight darkness. But as darkness is my ele-
ment well that OF the ghosts, easily
found our way
AFTER descending Tor what seemed an age.
many passages with which this palace is III
teTsectsd. 7 them no more. After travers-
ing several such passages entered en- apart
ment at the far end Of which light was CLEAN
ing through several open doorwsys. There was
the sound Of revelry within; the hum OF ant
mated conversation. intersIs-rScd with pcalS ot
merry laughter. Psering in the first door
way. dazzling sight met my eyes! The apart
ment was lofty and NJ immense proportions. u
ives brilliantly illuminated and white smilax.
holly and other Christmas decorations besmi
ficsi tho walls. aud rare exotics burdered the
cir With dainty fragrance. liable loaded with
Palstable vIandS AMI Gparkling wines ran the
entire length Of the apartment.
Around this were gathered the jewellers. n
was strange scene. There were representa-
I
beginning % time a. the present. from every
cline which the sun shines. from Kingdoms
which bad become wrecks Of time and had been
effsced from the memory Of man; from every
every station in life-kings queens. mighty
pofontstes. we'll aS just ordinary iBdivd-
naiS-all reduced to common level nv the
unna Tdonahle sins. tho black crimes which they
had committed earth. Those were they
who. without q ray Of hope. were doomed ia
; the lake Of eternal burning. Only ono little
yearly holiday-Only few hours respite are
they permitted to have; the wicked onco
I finding FADES In = sOftened mood. nv piteous
pleading. wreSted from him.
Tho feast over. the thrung repaired to m
adjoining apartment Musicians enscoDced m
/ slcove began 10 discourse the ARREST, me
most irreSistihly gay dance music II was
smOng the dancers that ] first noticed hid
man Blank. gaily stepping the dance measure.
looking as u he were crOwding the pleasur.
n lifetime into few moments. Whether
he straycd among these objectionable ones ny
| chance or whether while on earth ne commit.
ted black decd which never came 10 ligh.
7 unable 10 decide. hut there he was.
80 tho mysterious disapnearance has been
Solvcd. on tho night ~ his disappearance ne
went fishing the river. his usual occupa ton.
and having partaken too freely OF p certain
mysterious hottie which he always carried FOR
company. he must have some time in the Night
/ rolled into the stream and help being near
the swift current bore lin away. So thg
widow Blank won't be worried with the Old
scamp any
I'm an interval Of the dance. from whence |