Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-02-12
A Singular Story.
pendent.

IippardS paper, the quaker wy,
communicates the following curious ac-
count of recent remarkable dream of Mr..
Calhoun's. We have not much faith IN
supernatural appearances, or In Washing,
ton correspondents, but if any thing could
lead the ghost of the "Father OF his Coun-
try" TO revisit the realms beneath the
moon, it would be the thought that his be-
loved country was in danger of DIsuNIoN,
which is but another name for CIVIL WAR.
We give the story for what it is worth:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. %, 80.
Mr.. Editor The other morning, at
the breakfast table, our friend, the Hon.
John G.. Calhoun, seemed very much
troubled and out of spirits. You know
he is altogether venerable man, with
hard, stern, Scotch-Irish face, soitened in
its expression around the mouth by sort
of sad smile, which wins the hearts Of all
who converse with him. His hair is
snow-white. lie is tall, thin, and angular.
He reminds you very much of Old Hick-
orv. That he is honest, no one doubts;
he has sacrificed to his Fatalism the bright
est hopes of political advancement-has
offered up on the shrine of that iron Ne
cessitv which he worships, all that can
excite ambition-even the Presidency OF
the United States.
But to nv story. The other morning,
al the breakfast table, where |, an unob-
served spectator, happened to be present,
Calhoun was observtd~to gaze frequently
=, his right hand, and brush it with his
left. in nervous and hurried manner. He
did this so often that it excited attention.
At length one of the persons composing
the breakfast party-his name think is
'Toombs, and he is member of Congress
from Georgia-took upon himself to ask
the occasion of Mr.. Calhoun's disquietude.
Does your hand pain you ? he asked.
To this Calhoun replied in rather a
Hurried manner Pshaw It's nothing!
Only.a dream which had last night, and
which makes me see perpetually a large
black spot-like an ink blotch-upon the
back of my right hand. An optical delu'
zion, | suppose.
Ofcourse, these words excited the Curl
osiiy of the company, but no one ventured
10 beg the details of this singular dream,
until Toombs asked, quietly:
What was your dream like I'm not
very superstitious about dreams but
sometimes they have good deal of truth
in them
But this was such peculiarly absurd
Dream said Mr.. Calhoun, again brushing
the back of hi. right hand however, if
it does not too much intrude upon the time
of our friends, will relate It.
OF course, the company were proiuse
in their expressions of anxiety TO know all
about the dream. In his singulaIly sweet
voice, Mr.. Calhoun related Ii:
AT late hour last night, as was sit
ting in my room, engagedin writing, | was
astonished by the entrance of visitor
who entered, and without word, took a
seat opposite me, at my table. This sur
prised me, as had given particular orders
70 the servant, that should on no account
be disturbed. The manner in which the
intruder entered, so perfectly selt-possess-
ed, taking his seat opposite me, without
word, as though my room, and all with
in it, belonged to him, excited in me, as
much surprise as indignation. As l raised
nv head TO look into his features, over the
Ton Of nv shaded lamp, discovered that
he was wrapped in thin cloak, which
cGectuallv concealed his face and features
from nv view. And as raised my head
he spoke:
What are YOU writing, Senator from
South Carolina ? he said.
did not think of his impertinence at
first. but answered him Involuntary:
Il am writing plan for the Dissolution
or the American Union, (you know, gen.
,lemen. that I am expected to produce a
nIan of Dissolution In the event OF certain
contingencies !!
To this the intruder replied, in the
coolest n amer possible:
Senator from South Carolina, will you
allow me to look at your right hand'
He rose, the cloak fell, and beheld his
face. Gentlemen, the sight of that face
struck me like thunder clap. 1t was the
face of dead man, whom extraordinary
events have called back to life. The lea
tures were those of George Washington,
yes. gentlemen, the intruder was none
other than George Washington. lie was
dressed in the revolutionary costume, such
as YOU see preserved in thePatentOfice-'
Here Mr.. Calhoun paused, apparently
much agi,a,ed. His agitation, need not
tell Won, was shared by the company.
Toombs at length broke the embarrassing
pause. Well, we'll, what was the IS
sue of this scenef Nj. Calhoun resumed: