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I sat by [[strikethrough]] my fire [[/strikethrough]] the fireside one cold Autumnal Evening; watching the glow coals as the draft air [[strikethrough]] played [[/strikethrough]] breathed upon them and revealed in their decay the many changes and images known to boyish eyes, the high castles crowned with turrets and the moon light balconies with background, far among the ashes- A battle was going on in a dark plain to the right behind the fore stick, and flashes of light accompanied [[strikethrough]] with [[/strikethrough]] by low distant reports of cannon and musketry played in that direction. Now and then a rocket went [[strikethrough]] off [[/strikethrough]] up and a volume of smoke announced some new phase in the contest. Burning mountains raised their firey summits far [[strikethrough]] away [[/strikethrough]] over the plain of smouldering ashes [[strikethrough]] to the left [[/strikethrough]] where the back log presented a dull midnight sky under which all this varied scene seemed painted.

Verily said I, this is a world in miniature - men - little men are only wanting to make it a real world - upon a very small scale.

At this the fore stick rolled over, and some brands fell down and overwhelmed my little world, but strange enough a new and very different scene [[strikethrough]] now [[/strikethrough]] presented itself to my vision. There arose out of the ruins of this little old world a new one with men and little women too upon its stage- At first, they seemed flitting and whirling about among the smoke and dust, but as these cleared away, their little shining feet found their terra ferma and in a ring, their graceful arms and hands connected [[strikethrough]] now [[/strikethrough]] they went round and round dancing with most surprising dexterity- The ground beneath them shone like amber, and there was a glow of rosy light above their heads- Low sweet music as of water [[strikethrough]] falling trilling [[/strikethrough]] dropping in [[strikethrough]] to [[/strikethrough]] deep vases was the only sound to be heard.

Silently I looked on as they revived - now near and now winding away [[strikethrough]] among [[/strikethrough]] through avenues of flowers, ever varying [[strikethrough]] in colors and [[?]] [[/strikethrough]]- To my sight presently they seemed advancing but no longer upon the earth their bright - forms and shining garments clove the air- forming as it were a flower of human figures each form a leaf and each garment a color - Nearer and nearer they came bourn as it were upon the breeze which was now filled with most delicious odors