The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-01-20
ANECDoTE OF A sLEEp-wALKER

ANECDOTE OF A SLEEP-WALKER.
During the revolutionary war, there was gentle
man OF large property residing in Brooklyn, VIII,
was addicted to the habit of walking in his sleep
panlc-struck at the INVASION of the enemy he daily
expected that his dwelling would be ransacked ant
pillaged. Under the influence OF these fears h,
rose one night, and taking strong box, which
when awake, he never attempted to lift without as.
sistance, he proceeded down stairs furnished him
self with lantern and spade, and in deep wooded
glen about quarter of mile from his house he
buried his treasure, carefully replacing the sods so
as to create no suspicion Of their having been re-
moved.-1'hs done, he returned undrcssed. and
went to bed. Next morning he was the first TO dis
cover the absence OF the strong box, without hay
ing 'Ha slightest remembrance of what had passed.
Enraged at his loss, he Immediately accused the do
mestics of the robbery of violence were
perccptblc either the locks or doors of his bouse
that could induce him to suspect strangers.-Month
after month elapsed and still ,he mystery was NOT
solved, and his family began to want the necesso
ries of life without the means of procuring them.
At that period of public calamity no money could
be raised on real estate, and it was at the season of
the year when agricultural labors had ceased which
left him no means of earning support for his fam
ily To augment his misery, his only son Law con- |
hned by violent fever, without any of those COM
forts which his situation demanded. The mind of
the desparing father was strongly affected by this
meianchoy view OF the future his rest became
more frequently broken, and he would often wan
DER from room to room all night with hurried and
unequal steps, as if pursued by an enemy. His
wiie and daughter, who were accustomed to these
nightly wanderings never attempted to disturb him.
unless they were fearful some accident might bcGaI
MN; III this case 1t was necessary to employ the
most violent means to waken him, upon which he
would exhibit so much fear and Distress that thev
usually suffered HIM TO recover gradually from his
Wbi aaI,v ..i.I 4
ness, after which he would sink into a light and
natural sleep, which generally continued for several
hours.
One night ns his daughter was watching at the
couch of her sick brother, she heard her father de-
'cend the stairs with quick step, and immediately
followed HIM; she perceived he had dressed him
self, and was lighting lantern at the hearth afier
which he unbolted the door and looked out /: he
hen returned to the Kitchen and taking the lantern
md spade, he left the house. Alarmed at the cir
which was not usua, though it some
lines occurred as above related without the knowl-
'dgc of his family-she hastily threw on a cloak
and followed him to the wood, trembling with ap-
'rehenslon of-she knew not what, both for herself c
md her father. ,
Having gained the place where he had 3 months
nce buried the box, he set down the lantern so as !,
o reflect strongly upon the spot; he then removed o.
he sods, and striking the spade against its iroa cov
er, he laughed wildly and exclaimed. NV treas il
nre is safe and we shall be happy And shoulder u
ing his heavy burden with the strength of Uercu y
les, he stopped not before to replace the sods of
he earth but snatching up his lantern, pursued his
way direct home, TO the joy Of bis daughter, who
could scarcely support herself from the fears she
,ad experienced, which were that he was about to
iig grave, and either commit suicide or murder
some one OF his defenceess family. Incxpressibc, y
therefore,, was her joy seeing him ascend the
stairs and place the box in its former recess; after n
Which, as usual, he retired to rest. His wife and 7
laughter, however, were too anxious sleep them
elves; the one sat mpatiently Watching the dawn al
day. ana the other retired to the apartment of her in
utferlng brother, to relieve his mind by the iovful til
vent and her consequen, hope of his immediate pr
ecovery. w
when the gentleman in the morning, his
vie observed the same settled gloom on his coun- -
,nance as he anxiously inquired about the health
his son, and expressed his sorrow at not being
DE TO procure those comforts for his family which
'ere so much needed. Finding him perfectlv nm
onscious of all that had passed the precedinp niobt
&c watched the effect which the restoration of the CO.
OK would have upon his mind, and-as she expec an
,d-with an astonishment almost amounting to
hrenzy, he exclaimed, Who has done this 2 from
hence came this boxl Not until he had listened
evidence oil his daughter, could he be convinced
ue Possioity OF his performing such an act while 4
sleep. oufhce 1t to say that now health, peace Y
hu competence, were once more restored to his ss
yelling, and the result these blessings had n salu
ry effect upon his mind-and ahbough h, s,;u
'ntinued his midnight excursions. vet his friends
ere graticd to find them less freanent Than sr. n
erly, and his dreams also-to Judge by his nn,eor.
'ce-seemod to partakc of the mild. serene char.
III of las waking thoughts