"This is a blessed place," spoke the newcomer. "We, who are skilled in crime, give the youthful an expert training in the ways of pollution and kindred types of immorality. It is far better to teach the young to sin aright and with least damage to themselves, than to place them under all restraint and see them fall more wretchedly than these."
With all the moral turpitude of Mr. World he was scarcely ready, at first hearing, to accept this grinding sophistry of h.e.l.l.
"Are you quite sure, my friend, doubted Mr. World, that you are speaking words of soberness to me? Do you feel proud of the results of the work here accomplished?"
"Proud indeed, for our master has given us encomiums for the splendid work accomplished. You see, Mr. World, it is a settled fact that young people will sin, notwithstanding all the influence exerted to the contrary. Such as we can persuade we take under our direction, and try, as soon as possible, to harden them in personal crime. Our physicians have special medicines to inflame their propensities, so that they may, by continual burning, consume themselves and spare the youth from otherwise being tormented day and night in these flames of pa.s.sion. Are you so dull, Mr. World, that you cannot grasp such self-evident truth?"
"It seems now somewhat clearer to my mind, but still my eyes behold such horrid scenes around me."
"I cannot question that," continued the smooth-tongued agent of darkness, "yet what you see are but the lower stages. If you could look beyond these dark corridors and see the types of womanhood which grow out of this under-soil, you would no longer breathe in doubt or look with shuddering frame on scenes around you. All good things come forth through putrefaction. Then why should you despise the putrefaction? Be content, Mr. World, and as you walk along the path of life, remember this great College underground, and recommend its salient features to the rising generation. You have signed the pledge and promised to aid this secret working band. So do it with a vim, keeping in view the blossoms and the fruit of after-growth."
Mr. World was completely won by this false and devilish reasoning, and looked on the whole program of shame quite philosophically.
He took full cognizance of the far-reaching effects of this section and, after an interview with one of the head physicians, he proceeded to visit the next section.
But what he saw there will not be told. No pen can describe and no tongue relate the loathsome filth of this last stage of immorality.
An awful stench filled the air arising from medicines of last resort and from the putrefying flesh that clothed the living skeletons.
It was by mistake that Mr. World got into this place. The door opened to admit a few "Unfortunates," as they were called by the attendants, and Mr. World, standing near by, entered without permission.
He was no sooner inside the door than he was frantically seized by a sunken-eyed creature.
"O man of health, deliver me from this inner eating and from the grave that opens to me its mouldy mouth!" was the heart-rending cry that grated on the ears of Mr. World.
Another, hearing this pleading cry, came rushing toward the same spot and sobbed piteously:
"Oh! Mr. World, have pity on me! I had help when I had means and vitality. Oh! give me some relief now."
Mr. World was so terror-stricken that he could not speak, but struggled with all his might to escape from the place.
He gained double strength, but of no use. These two men imagined that they had a claim on him by reason of his name, and therefore held on with tightening grasp. For a moment Mr. World ceased his struggling and looked at his two pitiable beseechers.
"I can give you nothing. Why torment me thus?" he tremblingly gasped with abated breath.
"In our better days we gave all we had to the world and now we need help. Surely you can give it." They became furious and ranted the more at the thought of their past folly.
"Why come to me? Go to Mr. Flesh, or ask the Devil for help," pleaded Mr. World.
"We have served the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. All have failed us miserably. To whom else can we go but to anyone within our reach?
Oh! forsake us not in this awful plight!"
Poor Mr. World, unable longer to bear the sickening and threatening attack, sank to the filth-covered floor and groaned aloud.
At once a fierce and powerful being came to the rescue and, flinging the two unfortunates aside, lifted Mr. World to his feet and looked down upon him with his awful eyes.
Mr. Intemperance lay crouching near the side of Mr. l.u.s.t, each smarting under the pain of his fall.
"How came you to this place?" sternly asked the monster.
"By walking in at the door," answered the terrified Mr. World.
"Without permission?" he further asked.
"There was no one there to ask, and I, being out sight-seeing, thought I might also enter in here."
The monster seized Mr. World by the arms and looked at him in a still more frightful manner.
"You are not yet ready to come into this region, and if you will solemnly pledge me that you will never reveal what you have seen here, I will conduct you safely to the door; if not, you must remain here without a ray of hope until death gives relief."
Mr. World humbled himself and gave double a.s.surance of secrecy. Then the grim creature conducted him a little to one side and bade him look down into a deep and dark yawning chasm.
"Down there," commenced the Old Monster, "runs the Black River deep and wide. The stream, coming from its distant source, drains the filthy realm of human society, and not far hence it enters into the boundless ocean of eternal death. The wild sounds which you hear are the unseen dashings of its never-ceasing waves, and the moans of those who have fallen victims to its merciless currents."
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE LAST WARNING.
1. Miss Church-Member is now induced to frequent the haunts of vice in the "Wicked Valley."
2. The blessed work of Warning as given by rescue bands from the King"s Highway.
3. The heedless throngs pa.s.sing by.
4. The experiences at this place of Mr. World and Miss Church-Member.
There was a joyful meeting in the reception room of the Hospital when Mr. World, returning from his underground experiences, met his beloved friend Miss Church-Member who had recovered sufficiently to resume the journey.
In joyful spirits they sauntered forth on the wide and pleasant path, away from the Hospital and toward their imaginary Heaven.
Miss Church-Member"s face was more cheerful and her footsteps more buoyant than at any time since she left the Valley of Conviction.
Mr. World, observing her favorable condition, complimented her with these words: "Blessed be the memory of that Hospital, for I can see that your face is no more covered with the cloud of care that once robbed you of so many joys. The unkind intruder has drifted away, and now the light radiates from your every feature. It is also plainly evident that you are no more tormented by a troubled conscience."
"I am glad that my sufferings have not been in vain," she modestly declared. "May the new light which you so readily notice in my face add to the pleasantness of our journey and the profit of our lives."
Their conversation grew more and more pleasant as they pa.s.sed through a long stretch of woodland. They could see beyond, them, and in the rear, the legions that were traveling the same path and in the same direction.
Emerging from the woodland they saw that their path came again in close proximity to the King"s Highway.
The intervening s.p.a.ce between the two paths, called the Wicked Valley, was all astir with every form of evil as practiced in the world of sin. In this vale nearly every traveler on the Broad Highway tarries awhile, and many are lured away from the Highway of the King here to mingle with the servants of Mammon.
Mr. World and his friend paused opposite a cl.u.s.ter of magnificent buildings with frontage toward the Heavenly Way. Some were used by vulgar theatricals; some devoted to the sensual dance; some were occupied by the Devil"s maid-servants in prost.i.tution, and many others were used as haunts of intemperance and personal pollution.
All along the road to perdition at thousands of places stand such cl.u.s.ters of buildings, each under the command of one of Satan"s most efficient leaders.