A SEQUEL TO THE DREAM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 3, 17 May 1895, Page 20

A SEQUEL TO THE DREAM.

John O'Connkll having read in the Tablet the reverie of Pat O'Dwyer thinksjthat he, too, could dream. Accordingly ho sits down and thus addresses his youthful schoolmate, Charlie O'Malley : — South Dunedin, May 14, 1895. Dew Charlie,— Last Saturday being a free-day with me, I went out for a ramble towards the Taieri Plain. I was accompanied by Tom Maguire, Frank Byrne and Ned Burke, three of as gay and sprightly Jade 83 }ou could wish to have for a da> 's outing. When we rot out a little beyond the Silver Stream we took to the bush to hunt rabbits, and as Tom and Frark had each a good dog with him, we were not long in finding plenty of sport. We ran and chased, chased and ran, leaping over fallen tr^ep, tumbling over broken branches, until w3 were breathless. Tom and Frunk then called op the dogs and down we all eat *o have a little rest and take a mouthful or two of lunch, which we much needed, as we were by this time tired and hungry.

Having satisfied the cravingß of the inner man, we kept chatting together for some time, when suddenly a fine large hare started up out of a clump of brushwood not far from where we eat. The two dogs immediately gave chase, and up we all jumped to follow th* m. We had not run many yards when I found one of my legs quite stiff and bo I was unable to keep pace with my companions. I called out to them to go ahead with the dogs and that I would wait their return under the tree. Whether they heard me or not I could not say, but on they went at a break-neck pace, which, to me with my btiff leg, seemed quite astounding. I returned to the tree, stretched myself at full length on tho grass, put Tom'a overcoat under my head, threw my own over my legs, and was very soon wrapped in the arms of Morpheus.

The body was tired enough with the long walk and all the running I had, but the mind in one way at least, seemed as active as ever. Off I sped in the realms of fancy over many fair regions bright with the tropical sunshine, deorated with the gayest foliage, adorned with the loveliest of Nature's flowers, and enriched with a profusion of the choicest fruits. Everything seemed charming. The birds themselves that inhabited this fairy-liko scene of loveliness appeared as if enchanted with its beauties, and poured forth joyfully their most melodicus strains as if in their own humble way they were thus returning thacks to their bountiful Creator. For hours together T sat, and looked, aud httened ; now delighted wiih the flowers, now pleased with the balmy odour cf the air, and now chaimed with the soft sweet music of the bir> s. The vantage ground on which I had taken my s'ation commanded a view of the beautiful forest lying near, and of a fine txj~anNP of ccutitry that stretched for many miles beyond. I kept gazing in wonder on all tnat lay before me trying to make out in detail the various exctllencics of all that met my eye, when suddenly I perceived something which had at first quite escaped my observation. In thi centre of the open pi un a number of whitewinged angels were arranging a lofty throne covered wi h purple and adorned with gold and diamonds. The tnpestry and richlyembroidered hangings that surrounded the thrnne far surpassed in beauty and magnificence anything that could bs sppn in the palaces of earthly royalty. When everything about the thrcne had been fully aarangtd in the m ist admirable order, I saw, descending from the skies £»nd taking her sp >t thereon, a queen of peerless beauty. She was greeted by ihe angels with hymns if sweetest praise, accompanied by strains of heavenly music. Indeed, such was her majes'y that no one could behold her without feelings of rtvercntial awe, whilst the tender luve acid pity that beamed forth from her eyes would fill the heart with devotion and confidence.

When 'he concert of celestial music that grepttd the arrival of this fair queen had ceased, I saw trooping in ciowds from ail parts of the forest a number of bear?, wolves, lions, and UgtTS. and all these made up in admirable oider to the foot of the grand throne. They crouched down quietly when they f-ppro.cbed the qaten, and she, with a most benignant smile, < pei.ed wide her mantle, t xtending it so as to cover them all. Whit the whole thing mead was to me a complete mystery. Suddenly turning I noticed an aoge! standing on my right, and from bis kind look and gracious manner, I thought he would not hi uffendei if I asked him for an explanation of the wonderful scene I had just witnessed on the plain. Accordingly, I did so, and he set-med quite pleased that 1 had put the question to him. " I am," said he, " your angel-guardian. Over you 1 watch with loving care mglit and day. Nothing, that concerns your happines; and welfare can fail to be of iuterest to me. I shall, therefore, unfold to you the meaning of the wonderful sight y m have just Been. The Celestial being that jou saw peated on the throne is none other than the Q icen cf Argele, the august Mntht iof Go. I. IY.n dense fjresL arouDd the plain signifies tb'* woi 11 win re men, alas ! try to conceal ihtmaelvts from Gol, the.r Fither, as did their fiitH parents in the sl.ad %1 i of Eden. The heavrnly music that brok • upon your bar rcprtsentc i the sweet calls of God's grace, w ith which, ever and au°n, h^ seeks ihe poor sinner. The bears, lions, and tigers tbat • you saw crowding iorth in numbers wcr« thosa poor Binners who

beard and obeyed the voice of Qod speaking to their hearts, and who went in numbers to Mary's throne beseeching btr to shelter them from the wrath of God and obtain the pardon of their Bins.

(To be concluded.)