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Show CONDENSED I I CLASSICS I I THE PILGRIM'S I 5 PROGRESS By JOHN BUN YAN Ij. ? Condensation by Y J Basil King 5- AS I walked through the wilderness wilder-ness of tills world I lighted on a certain place where was a Pen and laid mo down to sloop. As I slept 1 dreamed a dream. I paw a man clothed lu raps, a book lu his hand, and a burden on his back. Heading Head-ing in the book, he brake out with a try, "What shall I do to be saved?" Oolng homo he opened his trouble to his wife and children, who at first Titled but presently chlded him. This continuing for many days, he walked In the fields where ho saw coming to him a man named Evangelist, who ad-Ttsed ad-Ttsed him to flee the City of Destruction, Destruc-tion, which was to be burnt with tire and brimstone, and make for the City of Zion. Then there was much ado In the family of Christian, for such was his name, that be should run from his home on a way which all knew to be perilous. Two of his neighbors did Christian Implore to accompany him. The name of one was Obstinate, that of the other Fllable. "What," cried Obstinate, "leave our friends and comforts com-forts behind us?" But Pliable went with htm for a pace, till they reached . a quag named the Slough of Despond. Having wallowed here for a time tillable, till-able, getting out on the side nearest to his home, turned back. But Christian Chris-tian struggling on alone one Help came to his rescue and led him to solid ground. Here as Christian was walking he espied afar off a Mr. Worldly Wiseman Wise-man of the town of Carnal roller. To his questions as to where he would be going, Christian replied that he sought mean9 to be rid of the burden on his back. "Why, In yonder village. Morality," Mor-ality," said the gentleman, "there dwells one whose name Is Legality, and who hath a pretty young man, Civilly, to his son. These will ease thee of thy burden." So saying, he directed Christian to a high hill, the which, on his reaching It, bnt over so ranch that It was like to fall on and bury him. Now Christian began to be sorry that he had taken Mr. Worldly Wiseman's Wise-man's counsel ;" whereupon he saw Evangelist; who encouraged him to go back ami seek the Gate for which he haefbeen making when urged to go out of the way. So In process of time Christian got up to this Gate, over which was written, "Knock and It shall be opened tinto you." He knocked, therefore, and one named Good-will came to answer. Then did Christian recite the perils through which he had come In seeking seek-ing to be rid of his burden. "Be content con-tent to bear it," 6aid Good-will, "until thou come to the place of deliverance, for there it will fall of Itself." So he went on his way again, walking walk-ing along a road which ended In a cross and sepulcher. I saw in my dream that as he came up with the cross his burden loosed from his back till it fell into the 6epulcher, where I saw It no more. Then Christian gave three leaps for Joy and went on singing, coming to the hill Difficulty. About midway to the top of this hill was an arbor in which ha sat him down to rest, but soon fell asleep. Losing under the settle set-tle the roll In which he had begun to read, he started hastily, when he awoke, on his way again. At the top of the hill there met him two men running amain. These were Mistrust and Timorous, who warned him to go back since there were lions In the way. Then was Christian in a great quandary, quand-ary, since to go back to his own city would mean to be burnt with fire and brimstone, while to go on would be to risk death at the mouths of lions. Thus troubled he sought comfort in reading his roll, but lo! it was not in his bosom. Then was much time lost while, Christian returned to the arbor to find his book ; but while he was thus bewailing be-wailing his miscarriage he lifted up his eyes and saw a stotely palace, the name of which was Beautiful.' Here dwelt the damsels Discretion, Prudence. Pru-dence. Piety and Charity, who made Christian welcome, laying him In the chamber called Peace. 'ext day they showed him the armory of their house, as well as such ancient treasures as Moses' rod, the hammer and nail with which Jael slew Sisera, and the jawbone jaw-bone with which Samson did mighty feats. Likewise did they take him up to the top of their house and bid him look at the pleasant countries of the Delectable Mountains and Emmanu-'el's Emmanu-'el's Land. "When thou eomest there." said they, "thou mayst see the Gate of the Celestial City." Going from thence, he entered the Valley of Humiliation, where he met the foul fiend, Apollyon. Apollyon claiming Christian as his subject the latter could in no wise deny the fact, seeing that he had been born in the City of Destruction over which the monster ruled. Nevertheless Christian renounced bis allegiance to this wicked wick-ed prince, dalmlng that he had sworn himself to the King of Princes, who dwelt in the City of Zlon. Then en dued a dreadful tight between Christian Chris-tian and the Mend, dining which the tlend will like to have worsted the lil-Cilin lil-Cilin had It not been for the weapons 1'urntshed him from their nnuory by the fair damsels lu the castle Beautiful. Beauti-ful. The butlle being over there cnnio u hand Willi seine of the leaves of the Tree of life, wherewith Christian stanched his wounds. Now at the end of this valley was another still more dread called the Valley of the Shallow of Death. On Its right was a very deep ditch Into which the blind have led the blind 111 all ages, while on the left was u dangerous dan-gerous qua;:, the which If even n good man were to fall Into It he could find no bottom for his foot to stand on. Good Christian was the more put to it seeing that the pathway was exceeding exceed-ing narrow, and as he went on he sighed bitterly. About the middle of this valley was there also the mouth of Hell, out of which came dismal flame and smoke. When the fiends camo up to this entrance he cried out in a vehement ve-hement voice, "I will walk in the strength of the Lord God," whereat they gave back. Having passed through this valley he came up with his friend Faithful, who had, though Christian knew it not, followed him out of the City of Destruction. Then was there much discourse between the two Pilgrims as to the perils through which they had come, with faithful telling of his escape es-cape from Madam Wanton, as well as from the old man with the three daughters, the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eves and the Pride of Life. Also did Faithful tell of his encounters en-counters with Arrogance, Pride and Worldly-glory. But the worst of them all was with Shame, a bold-faced fellow fel-low who would never have done speaking speak-ing against all good men and things. Then I saw In ray dream that they presently came to the town of Vanity, where Is a fair called Vanity Fair. Here Is there at all times much noise and folly, with the buying and selling sell-ing of such foolish wares as have given giv-en the town Its fame. The people of the fair, taking the Pilgrims for outlandish out-landish men and bedlams, made a great gazing at them. Likewise were they not a little amused that Christian Chris-tian and Faithful, setting very light by all their merchandise, did speak ex-hortlngly. ex-hortlngly. Much hubbub did follow thereon, during which the Tllgrlms were cast into Jail. At a convenient time they were brought forth to trial before the Lord Hategood, witness being be-ing given against them by such base fellows as Envy, Superstition and Plckthank. Among the Jurors were Mr. Nogood, Mr. Malice, Mr. Lovelust and suchlike, by whom good Faithful was condemned. After much persecution they burned him to ashes at the stake, whereat I saw In my dreura that a chariot with horses carried him up to the Celestial Gate by the nearest way. As for Christian He that rules all tilings released him from prison, so that he went on his way In company with one Hopeful, who had followed him from that town. Soon they came to a great fortress called Doubting Castle, the owner of which was Giant Despair, who took them prisoners. Now Giant Despair had to his wife a woman named Diffidence. So when he was gone to bed he told her what he had done, to wit that he had taken a couple of prisoners, and asked her what he should do with them. Her ' counsel was that he should advise them to make awny with themselves. So when morning was come he goes to them with a very snrly manner, telling them that, as they were never like to get out of his dungeon, they should end themselves with knife, halter hal-ter or poison. When they desired him to let them go he looked very ugly upon them, and rushing at them had doubtless made an end to them himself, him-self, but that he fell In a fit to which he was subject, and lost the use of his hand. Thus escaping from Giant Despair, they came to the Delectable Mountains, Moun-tains, where met them certain shepherds. shep-herds. Knowledge, Experience, Watchful Watch-ful and Sincere, who took them by the hftnd and had them to their tents. Also did they lead them forth to the top of a high hill called Clear, from which they might spy the Celestial Gate through a perspective glass. Then I saw In my dream that Christian Chris-tian and Hopeful, going down the mountains and passing through the country of Conceit, got over to a land called the Enchanted Ground, and thus Into the country of Beulah, whose air was sweet. Their way lying directly through it, they solaced themselves there, listening to the singing of birds and seeing the flowers appear in the earth. 1 Here they had a distant view of the City of Zion, which was built of pearls and precious stones, and the streets paved with gold. Also I saw that as they went on there met them two men In raiment that shone. "You have but two difficulties more to meet." said they, "and then you are in the City." Now I further saw that betwixt them and the Gate was the River of Death. There was no bridge over it, and the river was deep. At sight thereof the Pilgrims were much stunned, asking if there was no other way. Being told there was none they addressed themselves them-selves to the water. riaving entered it Christian began to sink, but Hopeful cried: "Be of good cheer, my brother. I feel the bottom." bot-tom." But as for Christian a great darkness and horror fell upon him, in which he was troubled by hobgoblins and evil spirits. Hopeful, therefore, had much ado to keep his friend's head above water, repeating to him the, words of the roll, "When thou pass-ett pass-ett thrcuh the waters I will be with you." Thus, after much stiu;:;;lo they got over. Niiw the City Htnod on a mighty bill ; but up that hill the lilgiims went wltli ease bemuse they saw two Shining Ones to lead thelil. Also had they hit their mortal garineuls behind them In the Mood. "You lire going now," said the Shining Ones, as they climbed, "to the Paraillso of !nil. wherein you shall see the Tree of Life, iind eat of the frulls thereof," And while they were drawing toward Ihe Gale, behold u company of (he Heavenly Host eat:.o out lo meet them, sonio before, some behind, and some on the right and left, continually sounding as they went Willi melodious noises, so that the Bight was as II Heaven Itself had conm down to meet them. Now I saw In my dream that theso two Pilgrims went 111 at the (late, and lo, us they entered, they were tnuiH-tlgured, tnuiH-tlgured, and had raiment given them that nhone like gold. There were others that met them with harps and Crowns, and nil tho bells In the City rang for mirth, whllo It was said, "Enter yo Into tho Joy of your Lord." Now Just as tho Gates were opened to let tho men In. I looked lifter them, and behold be-hold the City shone like tho sun. In the streets walked many men with crowns on their heads, and golden harps to sing praises withal. After that they shut the Gates, which, when I had (ivn It, I wished myself among the Redeemed. As I was In my dream, I saw that Christiana, she that was wlfo to Christian, Chris-tian, was much broken by her ungodly ungod-ly carriages to tho good man who had now come to tho Celestial City. Calling to remembrance ' his restless groans and brinish tears she resolved to go after him. With thut her four boys fell to weeping and cried that they would go with her. On this one came to her house and said: "Christiana, "Chris-tiana, here Is a letter for thee which I have brought from thy husband's King: She found that it smclled after af-ter the manner of tho best perfumo and was written in letters of gold. Henceforth she carried It In her bosom, bo-som, reading it to herself and hei children till they had got most of It by rote of heart. So she likewise went out on hot Journey to the Celestial City, passing through trials similar to those of hei good man, and guided by one Mr Greatheart. Though many dissuaded her, Buch as Mrs. Timorous, Mrs. Llghtmlnd, Mrs. Love-the-flesh. Mrs Knownothlng and Madam Bubble, yet pressed she on, arriving like good Christian himself at tho River of Death. Here when she was come the road was thronged with people to see her cross. All the banks, too, .b yond the river were full of horses and chariots which were come down from above to accompany her to the City Gate. So, with a beckon of farewell to those that followed, she entered the river. The last words she was heard to utter were, "Lord, I come to be with thee." Then her children and friends returned re-turned to their place, for that those who waited for Christiana had carried her out of their sight. But she went In at the Gate with all the ceremonies of Joy that had welcomed good Christian Chris-tian before her. Copyrleht, 1919, by Post Publishing Co. (The Boston PostJ |