The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-09-17
/ much fear that she is dead or

dying"
"But tell you that saw her distinctly; that
Iheardher speak, persisted the obstinate Arthur
"You are quite sure ofthat?'
"Id swear to it, if that would give you any
satisfaction"
"Well, shall not 60 home till hear Of her
in some way, which cannot be till Monday NOR
nil e. But it is impossible to study in this state
of mind; so if you don't see me at the hospital
before, just look in here after post time on Mon.
day. will youl"
They all promised, and bidding their friend
good night, they took their departure; every
one of them, excepting the seer Of the vision,
being more or less disposed to give credence
to the supernatural character of the visitation.
For a long time after they were gone Gamer
on walked up and down his gloomy apartments,
and when at last he threw himself half fundress-
ed, upon his bed, it was not to sleep-the idea
fhis mother continuedto occupy his thoughts.
He had left the candle burning, and as he
lay ruminating on the strange event of the eve-
ming, his eye was caught by the glitter of his
buckle, which he had thrown upon the table. 1t
was parting gift from his loved parent, and
was doubly priced by him, because it was the
handiwork of his father, who, though man of
superior intellect and even learning, had been
nothing more than simple worker in iron.-
Perceiving in his son the same mental vigor
which he had through life felt to be "cabined,
cribbed, confined" by his own mechanical oc-
cupation, he had determined-to to give MIN lib.
eral profession; and thus it was that the young
man was studying hard, subsistiug on the sim.
plest fare, and living in garret, in order to exc
out the slender remittances which he received
from lis now widowed mother; for alas the
strong arm that had toed, the active brain that
had planned, to work out brilliant future for
the loved son, were now in the tomb. His "a.
ther had died during the second year of his STU
dentship; and it was on the day following his
funeral that he had last parted from his mother.
During the course of the evening the events
of which I have just narrated. he had several
times observed dimness that obscured the
polished surface of the buckle, and when bis
eye fell upon it as he lay in his bed, he started
up and pressed it to his lips half believing that
this had been caused by the breath of her who
had given it to him.
81 have heard he thought, "that by gazing
earnestly into crystal and polished substances,
distant persons and events may be beheld. II
such power resides in anything, it surely ought
to be found in this"
He looked intently into the broadest pars OF
the steel His imagination was probably over
excited by what Arthur Leigh had seen, for he
saw presently, the interior of a homely cottage.
Upon bed lay a quiet figure, covered with a
sheet This was turned back from the face,
and he saw distinctly the features Of his mother.
Cameron dropped the belt, and uttered deep
groan. Mastering his emotions, he picked it
up, and endeavored second time to obtain a
sight of the strange vision, but it came not
again; and shortly before day.break he lay
down once more, and obtained brief and un.
refreshing sleep The next day, being Sunday,
could bring him no news, SO he spent it in taking
long walk many miles away, among hills that
in their widest parts slightly recalled those
over which he had rambled in his boyhood. -
When at night he returned to his lodging, ex.
treme WEAKNESS procured him deep and
dreamlcss slumber.
When he awoke in the morning, he saw his
friend Tom Dunsford standing beside his bed.
81 am glad to see you sleeping so soundly,
he said 81 hope did not disturb you9"
"No, no." replied Cameron, 81 only wonder
that should have slept so long. | was much
fatigued yesterday. What is the hourl Is it
past nine yet!'
at is only halfpast eight yet" answered
Dunsford; "come along and breakfast with me
at the coffee.house over the way; we shall hear
the post-man when he is coming down the
street, and then we can run out, and see what
he brings for you. Come along. Perhaps you
may have letter in your mothers own hand,
which will at once dispel all your gloomy for
bodings."
"TfI should have one from her. should not
be the less certain that she was dead OH Satur-
day night. reef ss sure Of the fact as if had
seen her"
"Indeedp' said Dunsfora, ,i,uusavea,.y, III
time will show. The idea is too deeply grated
into your mind to admit of being urged away,
and raillery would be indecent OIL such sub
iect Well trv to divert your thoughts from It,
and wait the healing hand of time to console or
dsabuse you"
It was with difficulty that Cameron could be
persuaded to take Il little refreshment tie sat
watching the arrival Of the postman.. lie oame
at last, The letter was seized. There Were
the black SEAL the handwriting of the munster
the post,nark of his native village. Cameron
cast one look of anguish upoA his friend ano
rushed up to his own room, close y followed n\
Dunsfc7d. Tue letter announced the death o.