Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-08-19
An Adventure in Limousin.

An Adventure in Limousin.
The following homely but interesting narra-
tive Is related in one of the English magazines.
1t proves that dreams are not always to be dis
regarded, and shows that there is sometimes
remarkably strong sympathetic connection be-
tween ones sleeping ideas and the wakeful
motives of others
"Five-and-tweny years ago, as was re-
turning home one evening from St. Cere, l
was overtaken by storm. / was or horse
back; and my horse, alarmed at the hail and
lightning, became restive, and refused to go
step In advance. | dsmounted, and taking the
relhs, attempted TO urge him forward, when,
fortunately, l perceived lights | proceeded
towards them, and at length reached a misera-
Bile howell. Upon raising the latch, discov-
cred man and woman covering over a
wretched fire, and employed in weaving bas-
kets
Good evening to you, my friends | said, /,
in the dialect Of the country 'but sorry wealth
er, this
The worthy denizens of the hut cast on me
look anything but gracious; however, that
caused me but little concern. | asked them to
make little room by their fire, assuring them
was willing to meet any expense might in
cur, and proceeded to throw heap of faggots
on the embers without the slightest cermony
Do you take us for nnkeepers = inquired
the female, in shiill, angry tome
piece. The sight of the coin mollifed her at
once.
'Ah!' said the horrd old witch, 4 see you
are good gentleman and a kind and she
resumed her task. The storm, however, ragged
with undated violence. The gale threatened
TO carry away the howell and my horse stocd
nelghing and paving the ground under the
shed where had fastened him. 1t was idle to
think of venturing forth, yet could hardly
reckon upon finding a sleeping apartment in
that miserable abode.
Well, SIR said the woman, lit would be
sad thing to 90 beyond doors on such night
as this. We are but poor folk, and have no
bed 10 offer you worthy such fine gentleman,
but if you don't mind going up there (pointing
to ladder and kind of GARRETT at any rate,
you II be able to keep yourself dry
Somehow, the woman's look didn't please
me at all. However, there was no help for it ;
besides which was fresh from the army, and
no milksop; so | climbed up accordingly, and
gained my loft forthwith. | then stretched
my cloak on the worm eaten boards that COM
posed the floor, ard spite Of storm and wind, ,
was soon sound asleep. Strange enough, bnt
| had scarce fallen fast asleep ere | must needs
take it into my mead TO set about dreaming
| imagined myself snugly seated in this very
chimney corner, with the girl of my heart at
my side, when ON sudden, perceived surg
ing high above her head face most grisly to
behold 1t was the same that graced my gen.
tie hostess of the hove. She had hatchet in
her hand and made as though to strike me-
| strove to rise and take TO flight, but in vain
my limbs refused their Office On nv examin-
ing them more closely, discovered that they
were severed at the joint. The change thus
suddenly wrought in them had the effect of
arousing me from my sumbers, and dispelling
the fearful vision. At any rate, wake up
did, and found myself still in the garret, with
my head pillowed on my cloak. bent my
head to listen if could hear aught; but, save
the bowling of the storm, all was silent
Somehow or other, l could not rid myself of
the painful impression occasoned by nv
dream. 1t struck me to indulge in peep
through one of the many chinks in the rotten,
worm-eaten foor ard accordingly, proceed
ed to take an observation of how matters might
be passing below. The man and his wife
were still bending over the fire, but they had
discontinued their work, and were conversing
in whispers.
/ tell you there's more money in that purse
than you could earn during the rest Of your
lifetime said the female
well, what then1' said the man.
What then! Why, take it, to be sure =
of him follows them; then pitch him down the
hole, and leave the rest to me- showing ma
sons mallet in her hand.
'And when that's done, what's to become
of him next!' inquired her husband.
We'll lay him down somewhere on the
road, and folks will think that he was killed bv
fall from his horse' And as she spoke she
extnguished the nondescript sort of lamp used
by the peasantry in those parts.
The fire was long since out, so l could see
nothing. They continued to whisper, but in
such low tones as to be utterly inaudible.
trust am not greater coward than my neigh
bors; still own felt very much the reverse
of comfortable, for, be it remembered, | had
not a single offensive weapon about me. For
moment | considered the notion of jumping
down the trap door, and clearing the ladder at
single spring but said ladder was very rick
ETY., and had missed my footing, heaven alone
can tell what would have been the result
Moreover, had but brief time for reflection,
fol suddenly felt slight vibration at the trap
door, which made me shudder from head to
foot.
The man was climbing the ladder; and each
round as he mounted, creaked beneath his
weight. BY this time I had succeeded in
raising myself noiselessly on my knees at the