Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-06-17
MosQUITOEs

was very tired and went to bed about elev-
en-. II was hot summer night, and so light
was my room with the soft yellow beams of the
moon, that It was long before could win "na-
lures sweet restorer" to my eye lids. AS ! am
o gentleman Of an exceedingly thoughtful dispo-
sitlon, was not at loss FOR amusement. Ibe-
gan TO run over tle.events Of the day that was
gone, and after some little preamble, nv medit-
atoms gathered around the pretty form Of GER
tain lady Of our neighborhood, and luled my
self into gentle slumber by thinking of her.
| lay for some time in that most luxurious state
between sleeping and wahing--iust on the boun-
daIy line Of mortality--with half my senses vet
olinging to this earth and the rest already begin
ming TO rove in the lightness Of freedom through
the realms of fancy, | was indeed in most de-
lightful state of mind, and scarcely felt tc couch
that gave rest 70 my weary frame. Fairy visions
beautiful as the hues Of the rainbow, hoated in
mine Imagination; the conceptions Of fancy en-
bodied themselves; the very wishes of my wa
king moments were half accomplished, and be-
came, as it were, the mighty ruler Of a world of
mine own.
Sometimes thought was falling through the
immensely Of space, and passed by planets in my
] way, but it was pleasant to me; and Iseemed to
be wheeling IN graceful circles in the air, rs in
my younger days have seen the eagle do far
away in the calm blue sky. Sometimes thought
was sporting in the green Notwithstanding
and racing with the most beautiful maidens
had ever beheld, and in 'proh Pudor'' dreamed
| was actually kissing Mrs. P. In short,
gentle reader, some kind spirit had lifted me far
above the scenes of earthly degradation, and
was revelrg in the gay pleasures Of another
world. AT length my fancy began to cut terri
BILE capers. The pretty girls, the green mea-
dows, and Mrs. P--'s rosy lips passed a
way, and methought bcheld battle.
stood upon the brow Of a rugged mountain;
the sea dashed and foamcd on one side and the
crash of war arose on the other. The wind
blew in roaring whirlwinds and bore the white
foam of the ocean in snowy wreaths along the
air. The sky was blackening with huge clouds
that rolled like troubled ocean over our heads
The lightning burst through the gloom in bright
sheets Of fire, or quivered in terrible lusre "a
long the dark sky, as though its mighty vault
along the heavens with noise as il ten thousand
worlds had tumbled together and shivered into
ruins. ] turned mine eye from the stormy clouds
to gaze upon the fight.
| saw warriors bestriding fiery horses; they
rushed over the shrieking bodies Of the dying,
and mingled their might i'll one terrible thunder
of ruin. Sabres flashed-the thunder and the
cannon shook the earth with their mingled tu-
mult-shrieks, shouts, and the clashing Of arms
sounded in mine ear, and was about TO fly a.
way from the scene, when / saw in the very
midst Of the battle the form Of a beautiful wo-
man; her Taven ringlets were streaming in the
winds and her white hands uplifted in terror at
the desolation around. ! was rushing to her re-
lief when saw huge rufiiGn approach 20 her
side-he seized her silken ringlets-he tore
them from her head, and dared, in the 'insolence
of his triumph to grasp her threat; and the
shrek that arose above the storm of war was an
swered by q laugh. Another arss~another
roughly seized the beautiful being, until shout
ed revenge and rushed to her rescue. Many a
bright blade flashed around me; many swift
bullet whizzed by mine ear, but tore the fall
chion from the clenchcd handle of dying wretch
and mingled in the battle. The lofty figures of
my enemies bore back at my approach; | cut my
way to the terrified girl, and when she saw her
brutal insulters crashing their teeth at my feet,
she sprang TO my side and chung TO my bosom.
A giant monster struck at her white forehead
turned my wrath on him; his blade shivered
! into thousand atons-I cleaved his coward
skull to the jaw and he fell shrleking from his
horse. Dreadful were my strugges-terrible
was nv revenge, / bore her back amidst the
maddened fury of all around-sprang with my
lovely burden upon fleet steed. The noble an
! imal fled like the wind; the clouds disappeared
as we rode; the sun shone again in bright cheer
fulness-the birds sting music to our way, and
in few moments methought we were in one of
the most beautiful countries / ever saw, and
heard the clang of war only as some gentle
breeze bore it at intervals to our ears. Reader!
reader, who shall tell the happiness OF my boz
som when bore my pretty maiden from the sad
die and felt that we were free
Roses clustered in blushing wreaths around
us, and perfumed breezes kissed away the drops
that exertion had gathered tony brow. looked
upon the being had rescued, and looking
loved! She smiled upon me-her lips parted
she was beginning to speak, when the voice OF a
distant trumpet broke upon our ears. Nearer
and more near came the fatal sound, sometimes
breathing soft music, but as it approached il
gave long, loud, laundering twang, and
| awokel
The fairy scene vanished, but the sound oil
the trumpet continued. | lifted myself in my
couch, and, Gracious Fathersl it was a Mosqui-
to!-a little vile, rascally mosquito was flourish
ing in all the glory of tong legs and SHARP
sting, around the very pinnacle Of mine unhap-
Ply nose! ~
Now, was ever such a misfortune? To be
dragged down from the fairy realms of imagina'
Ition@from blushing cheeks and blushing roses
from fame, and victory, and love-to be tori
away from these pleasures by the hummng OF I
musquito, at whose approach the enchanted spell
was broken, and every vestige OF my happy vi
sion melted way-it was too bad-lt was miser'
able! Law upon my couch in state OF mos
Ipitiable melancholy, mourning over the SAD GER
| tainty that was only my poor humble sell lha
, n had NOT been the wonder OF the world; that