Glimpses Of The Next State.Pdf - Spiritualists' National Union

251Tom: I don’t think many people learn what they don’t want to. I think most people tryto learn that that they want to most; but it isn’t always best for them.S.: But when a fellow gets robbed, he doesn’t want to learn that, especially if they takeall he has got.Tom: No; but you are liable to get robbed in other places besides New York, and murdered,too.S.: Oh, yes!Tom: Don’t you know there was a man in your town that was murdered?S.: Whom do you mean?Tom: Don’t you know Mr. Thompson?S.: Yes, I know Mr. Thompson. Yes, those things happen all over; but I think there arenot so many cases anywhere as there are in New York.Tom: You know there are so many people congregated there together, and so manynationalities; there is a rough element.S.: Yes, that’s so. Oh, I tell you I saw some hard things when I was there!Tom: How long ago were you there?S.: I was there two years ago. Do you live there?Tom: I used to live there.S.: What was your business?Tom: I was a coachman.S.: For some of those big folks, I suppose?Tom: Yes; my mistress was a very wealthy woman, and, of course, I saw a great deal ofhigh life.S.: I don’t think I would like that.Tom: We don’t always like the conditions that we are placed in in life; but I have found outsince that it is always best to make the best of your conditions, for it doesn’t do any good to keepfretting about it if you can’t change it.S.: Yes; but if you don’t like it you can get out of it—can’t you ?—and try somethingelse.Tom: Yes; but sometimes there is nothing else for you to do. What was your trade?S.: Oh, I didn’t have much of a trade!Tom: What did you do?S.: I was in the soap factory; but there we had a good boss. Oh, he was a jolly fellow!Tom: What was his name?S.: His name was Rogers. You know him, don’t you?Tom: No, I am not acquainted with him.S.: I would like to know what those people are doing over there. Are they having a campmeeting,or what in the devil is it?Tom: You watch, and, perhaps, you can see something else. What do they appear to bedoing?S.: I only asked you. I thought, perhaps, you knew.Tom: I do know; and after a little I will tell you all about it. I thought I would like to haveyou give your idea.S.: I haven’t got an idea. I never had an idea in my life.Tom: How old are you?S.: I am twenty.Tom: You are a young fellow, aren’t you?S.: Well, I should think I was! You don’t suppose I am an old man, do you?Tom: I knew you weren’t an old man.S.: Why, I am not acquainted with anybody here! How in the devil did I come here?Tom: These are good, kind people that have helped you. You know you have been very sick.S.: I knew I fell down. I thought I was a goner, sure.Tom: Do you know that you fell in that vat of hot soap?S.: I thought I was going to fall into it. How did it happen? I believe I am kind of off.