Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-03-23
C Omm unicatiOn.
pr THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
REMINIscECEs OF MY UNCLE ELIJAH.

REMIE1sCI IFCEs OF MY UNCLE ELIJAH
The efollowin facts may amuse some whose
eve may chane to rest upon them. When
was child, I|lsed to spend many a long
and happy da9with those dear relatives who
are the subject of this effusion. My Uncle
and Aunt Were1escendants of that noble race
called the Rgrim Fathers" They were
beloved and rSpected by all who knew them
and exemplifB the faith of their fathers, by |
a strict adherelc to virtue, Benevslence, Pu-
rity, and Patiotism. We were all sitting
one evening aound the fire, when one OF us
asked nv Unc,s whether he thought that
dreams were eminous of future events
" My children" he replied, " we read in
the Sacred 3criptures of some instances where
wes7y sfssfr77sg and admonitions were given In
dres1s;Sgag as they were often called, the
visDns of the night. But | think it wrong
to suffer dreams to disturb the mind in such
a manner as to render US unhappy, and un-
fit US for the duties of life. During my life
time have had two dreams, which felt at
the time were ominous of the events that fol-
lowed. The first happened soon after the
commencement of the Revolutionary War
was in the habit of visiting Bosten twice q
year, 70 purchase goods. resided in Berk-
shire County, and started from home with
my wife and child, who were to spend the
time of my absence with our friend in Hamp-
shire. The night of our arrival / dreamed l
was pursuing my journey and arrived at the
great bridge over the Connecticut River, at
| Springfield. When had gained the middle
of the bridge, the half before me felland float
| ed down the stream, leaving me in such per-
| i, that one step more must have plunged me
| into an awful eternity when 10 my beautl-
| full and spirited horse gave q sudden leap, and
| landed me safely on the opposite bank. In
der the excitement awoke, with the dream
ipdelibly stamped on my memory.
| "The next morning | continued my Jour-
ney and arrived in safety at Boston. re-
rass:-.ss there about week, transacting busi-
ness, when I was suddenly arrested and
thrown into prison, on suspicion of being an
enemy to my country, without being allowed
to make any defence to justify myself, and
prove the aspersion false. These were times
that tried mems souls was by no means a
solitary instance ofsuch injustice. / was con-
fined in loathsome cell, without any ofthe
comforts of life, for three weeks, without half
food enough to support nature; not permitted
! to write to my friends or see any one. One night
while sitting in my gloomy abode, heard a
rumbling noise approaching the passage lead
ing to my room. On stepping to the door, L
beheld through the CRATE two men, bringing
up rough coffin and placing it opposite the
door. That, exclaimed to myself, is no
doubt for me they hope to starve me to death
in this dreadful place, and shall no more
behold my beloved wife and child. My feel
ings are better imagined than described. 1t
was night of horrors, never to be forgotten
! TtFOn Tne following morning / again neart
footsteps approaching. They hope to fine
ne dead; was my first thought as hearC
tie key turning in the lock. But who shOulc
elter with the jailor but tho Father of my
Wife. They had become very anxious on &C
cunt of my long absence, and not receiving
. any intelligence from me, he had undertaken
: tie journey to ascertain the cause, and ar
ried just in time to save my life. 1t was
, With difficulty l could support myself, bu
: With the assistance of my father-in-law, let
) tie prison, and after recruiting my strength
aew days determined to find out my accu
J. Sc, and bring him to justice. Upon Close
o iEestigation, found it to be man by th'
IS rime of White, who was owing me about {
r. tbusand dollars, which was then due. FL
~ acknowledged that he had sworn falsely, fol
!" th purpose of putting me out Of the way
!, ,S hping thus to escape paying the debt. Th,
'e hstility existing against those who favored
!. r 4 !s.efs;.h government aided him in the ex
j. ecu tion Of his plan"
n Ye were all so much interested in my Un
,, Gle Eliiah's first dream, we entreated him t.
e tel Jus the Other. Eyes, my children" sal
= 81 will tell you my other dream, and tn
al circumstances that followed. 1t happened
{, atout the year 1886. During the excitemen
1T caused by the Shay's Insurrection, whiel
ID WIS quelled by two brave and gallant officers
t. G MS. Lincoln and Shepherd, while the In
g srgents were attacking the Arsenal at Spring
{. fad. Idreamed, one night, that was stand
: Jon the banks of the beautiful Housatonic
Il, W ich flowed near my dwelling, enjoying tn
~ col breeze of the stream, and watching th
re su las it descenced below the western hori
We zoLAwhen in moment | was enclrcled b
s. twdl large water snakes, which had glided IN
or perkived from the river, and wound them
= selK around my legs, and were proceedln
30 toWtds nv body. For the first instant
'e, was Alralized with horror; but seizing a knit
I'd hi in my pocket, loosened one of ther
of by 4nglng it through his head, and wit
Il, an dlnost supernatural effort, | shook tn
i'll oth'f rom me into the water.
ot 'Afew days after my dream, | had bus
! nesk~L 4 sransact in Stockbridge, about fv
~ mhs from my residence. Some of Shay
I'M me had applied to me for money to carry 0
the, schemes, which positively refused
graf, alleging that their project was Grim
at- na1and that would have nothing to do wit
~ it. NV refusal had incurred their displea
su ure and they had determined on revenge.
II, knev their place of rendezvous was near Il
ed tow, but little thought what awaited me-
nd SOD after entered the village | was seize
om by In officer and confined in a large upp'
,li- roa in the Tavern. knew if | could 81
he an Jof my friends | should be soon set at Ii
m ertl as they lad nothing against me {
y whfh to found 4 legal process, and they we
. - : actated by retenge alone. But the THU
lei wa done so secretly. that only the few co
70 cerled knew oiit. They had got their VI
pal tim and they we're blood-thirsty in their n
he tuf While i was walking backwards al
,av forwards across the room, | accidentally rails
a. nv eyss towards the door, and discovered
opened just vide enough to admit the muzl
of aguh, at thu same time catching the glimp
of all Indian, in the act of shooting.
roo was rbinted directly at my head. dodg
60 the Instant saw it, the gun fired and t
- VI contests were lodged in the opposite side
tue the<pGSand | remained unhurt.
to afterwards learned that one OF the
Ike. comAices of Shay had promised the lndl
7th gsIbn of rum if he would kill me, havl
a