The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-03-16
singular story. c. CalhOun's Dream.

The Washington correspondent of Mr. Lip
pard's paper. the "Quaker City" commune
Gates the following curious account of recent
remarkable dream of Mr.. Calhoun's. We
have not much faith in supernatural appear
ances, or in Washington correspondents, butif
anything could lead the ghost of the Father
of his Country" to revisit the realms beneath
the moon, it would be the thought that his be-
loved Country was in danger Of Disunion,
which is another name for Civil War. We
give the story for whatit is worth:
Washington, Jan. IL
Mr.. Ep1roR--The other morning, at the
breakfast table, our friend, the Hon. J. G. Cal
houn, seemed very much troubled and out of
spirits. You know he is altogether a yener-
able man with bard, Scotch Irish face. soft
ened in its expression around the mouth by a
sort of sad smile which wins the hearts of all
who converse with him. His hair is snow
white He is tall, thin, and angular. He re-
minds you very much of Old Hickory. That
he is honest, no one doubts: has sacrificed to
his Fatalism the brightest hopes OF political
advancement-has offered up in the shrine
/ of that iron Necessity which he worships, all
that can excite ambition-even the Presidency
of the United States.
But to my story The other morning, at
| the breakfast table, where l. an unobserved
spectator, happened to be. present, Calhoun
was observed to gaze frequently at 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.. Calhouns disqui-
etude.
@Does your hand pain you? ?" he asked
To this Calhoun replied in rather a .fatried
manner-'Pshaw tits nothingi Only dream
which I had last night. and which makes me
see perpetually large black spot-like an;nk
blotch--upon the back Of my right hand. An
optical delusion, suppose"
/ OF course, these words excited the curiosity OF
the company, but no one ventured to beg the
I details to this singular dream, until Toombs
asked quietly
aWhat was your dream like I'm not very
.Isuperstitions about dreams; but sometime;
they have good deal of truth in them"
| ..But this was such peculiarly absurd
dream said Mr.. Calhoun, again brushing the
back of his right hand--"however, if does no
too much intrude upon the time of our friends
) will relate it.
4 Of course, the company were profuse II
the expressions as anxiety to know all about
the dream. his singularly sweet voice, Mr.
Calhoun related it.
At late hour last night as was sitting
in my room, engaged in writing, was aston
} ished by the entrance of a visitor who entered
and without a word, took a seat opposit
me, at my table This surprised me, as hat
particular orders to the servant, that shoult
r on no account be disturbed The manner il
. which the intruder entered, so perfectly sell
possessed taking his seat opposite me, withou
d word as though my room, and all with
e it, belonged to him, excited in me. as muc
: surprise as indignation As raised my hea
to look into his features. over the top of m
shaded lamp, discovered that he was wraE
ped in a thin cloak which effectually concea
ed his face and features from my view An
n as raised my head, he spoke
: "What are you writing, Senator from Sou'
Carolina ?" he said.
! did not think of his impertinance at frs
:, but answered him involuntarily-
8 81 am writing plan for the Dissolution
the American Union" (you know gentlem'
that am expected to produce plan of Di
s. solution in the event of certain contingencies:
l. To this the intruder replied, in the coole
i manner possible:
" Senator from South Carolina, will you allc
Re me to look at your hand, your right hand. "
He rose the cloak fell. and / beheld his ia