The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-01-14
WHOLE NO. COLL.
SLEEP WALKING.
From the " Crysfal," published IN .Nsw Fsra


vasion of the enemy, he daily expected that
his dwelling would be ransacked and pill
LACED. Under the influence of these fears,
I he rose one night, and taking a strong box,
which when awake he never attempted to
lift without Hssistance-he proceeded down
stairs. furnished himself with . lantern and
spade, and in deep woody Slen about q
quarter of mile from HE house lie buried
his treasure, carefully replacing the GODS so
/ as to Greats no suspicion of their having
been removed. This done, he returned, un-
dressed, and went to bed Next morning
/ be was the first to discover the absence of
/ the - strong box" without having the slight
est remembrance Of what had, passed. En-
ragged ct his loss, he Immediately accused his
domestic of the robbery, as no traces of vio-
{ Iencs were perceptible either on the locks,
or doors of his house, that could induce him
to suspect strangers. Month after month
elapsed, and still the mystery ives not solv-
ed, and his family began to want the neces-
sarles of life, without the means of procur-
ing them: at this period of public calamity,
no money could be raised on real estate, and
it was at that season Of the year, when agri-
cultural labors had ceased, which left him
no means of earning support for his family.
10 augment his misery, his only son lay
confined Ivy violent fever, without any of
those comforts which his situation demand
ed. The mind Of the despaling father wee
strongly affected by this melancholy vis~ of
the future, his rest became more frequently
broken. and he would often wanIsr from
room to room all night with hurried and
unequal steps, as if pursued by an enemy.
His wife and daughter who were sccustom-
ed to these nightly wanderings, never at
tempted to disturb him, unless they were
fearful some accident might befaIl him. in
this case it was necessary TO employ the
most violent means TO awaken him, upen
which he would exhibit so much fear and
distress, that they usually suffered him 70
recover gradually from his trance, when he
would sink into light and natural sleep
which generally continued for several hours.
One night as his daughter was wstching
ct the couch of her sick brother, she head
her father descend the stairs with a quick
step, and Immediately folloSing him, she
perceived he had dressed himself, snd was
lighting 4 lantern at the hearth, after chich
lie uni olted the door, and looked out he
then returned to the kitchen. and taking tie
lantern and spade left the house. Alarmed
at this Circumstance, which Wis not usual
Though it sometimes occurred az above re-
lated without the knowledge of his family
she hastily three OF Cloai and follow ed
him 10 the wood, trembling with spprehen-
slons, OF, she knew not what, beth for her
self and her father.
I Having gained the place where he had
three months since buried the box, he set
down the lantern, so as to reject strongly on
! the spot he then removed the sOds, and
striking his spade against its iron cover, hs
laughed wildly. and exclaimed, my treasure
is safe, and We shall be happy! and shout
'lerlng his heavy burden with the strength
of Hercules, he stopped not as before, to
replace the GODS Of earth, but snstchin9 ue
his lantern, pursued his way directly home,
! TO the JOY of his daughter, who could scarce
| ly support herself fiom the fears size had
experienced, which were, that ne was about
to dig grave, and either commit suicide, or
murder some one of his defencelese family.
lnexpressihle, therefore, was her Joy on see
ing him ascend the stairs, and place the hox
in its former recess; after which, as usual,
he retired TO rest. His wife and daughter,
however, were too anxious to sleep them
! selves; the one sat impatiently watching
! the dawn Of day. and the other retired to
the apartment of her suffering brother 10
relieve his mind by communicating the ioy-
inl event, and her consequent hope of h.S
immediate recovery.
When the gentleman arose in the morning
his wife observed the same settled gloom on
! his countenanre as he anXiousy enQuircd
! about the health of his con, and expressed
his sorro~- at not being able to procure
those comforts for his family, which were
so much needed. Finding him perfectly
unconscious Of all that had passed, the pre-
ceding night, she watched the effect which
/ the restoration of the box would have upon
! his r!ind-and Gas she expected) with an
astonlshment almost amounting to phIenzy
he exclaimed" who has done this /? From
whence came that box 2" Not until be had
! listened to the evidence of his daughter,
could he be convinced of the plausibilty of
( his performing such an act while asleep
Suffice it now to say, that health, peace and
competence, were once more. restored to
his dwelling, and the result of these bless
! ings had a salutary effect upon his mind, end
although he still continued his midnight ex-
cursions, yet his friends were gratifie,I 10 find
them much less frequent than formerly, and
! his future dreams also Ito Judge by his ap-
pearance) seemed TO psrtake of the mild and
serene character OF his walking thoughts.
THEATREs. The Rev. DR.. Tucksrman, .
clergyman Of Boston, whose time is employed
in visiting ths poorer classes Of the popuiaton
of that city, in . sermon preached before the
Congregational Charitable society OF thet city,
two weeks sincs, stated that of siTty able bod
led lads from ten to fifteen yesrs of age, whom,
he knew to he growing up under fearful circum-
stance Of evil ticO.thirds had acknowledged
to HIM that the smusement of the theatre had
led them either TO the sin OF sissling, that they
might attend it's exhibitions or 20 other cours-
es of diphonorabls conduct. lie toot occasion
also to remark on the lessons Of iniquiiy, sne
on the low and degrading vices, in the lestsiSg
anS practice Of which, these establishments ere
calculated to initiate their attenSants We
, hope, ssvs the Christian Watchmss, frew
which this sbstrsct is taken, thst HE sdnonitoo