Washington telegraph., 1855-11-07
q Singular Story.

The following was published several years
ago, and We believe it proceeded originally
from the pen of Washington letter writer.
We revive II on account of its eccentric
significance, and commend it to the Charles
ton Mercury:
The ether morning, at the breakfast ta-
bic, our friend, the Hon. John c. Calhoun.
seemed very much troubled and cut of spir
its You know he Is altogether a venera-
bic man, with hard. stern, Scotch-Iris
face, s9itened in its expression around the
mouth by 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 reminds you very much of Old
Hickory That he is honest, no one doubts;
he has sacrificed to his fatalism his bright
est hopes Of political advancement-has Of
fered up on the shrine of that necessity
which he worships al tha! can excite ambi-
tion-eyen the Presidency of the United
States
But TO my story. The ether morning at
the breakfast table. where |, an 1uobserved
spectator. happened to be present. Calhoun
was observed to gaze frequently a; his right
hand, and brush 1t with his left in a hurried
and nervous manner. He did this so often
that it excited attention. st length one of
the persons composing the breakfast party
his name. think, is Toombs and he is a
member of Congress from Georgia-took
upon himself to ask the occasion Of Ir
Calhoun's 6isquietude.
Does your hand pain you ?' he asked
To this Mr.. Calhoun replied. in rather a
furried manner-"PShaw 1t is nothing
Only dream | had last night, and which
makes me see perpetualiy, a large. black
spot-like an ink -blotch-upon the back Of
my right hand An optical illusion, | sup
pose
OF course these words excited tie curios-
ity Of the company. but no one ventured TO
beg the details of this singular dream, until
Toombs asked quietly
''What vas your dream like? I'm not
very superstitious about dreams; but some
times they have great deal of truth in
them
''But this was such a peculiarly absurd
DREAM said Mr.. Calhoun. again brushing
the back Of his right hand; however. if it
does not too much intrpde upon the time Of
our friends. will relate ii to you
Of course the company were proiuse in
their expressions Of anxiety to know all
about the dream. In his singularly sweet
voice. Mr. Calhoun proceeded to relate his
dream
eAt late hour last night. as was sit
ting in rly room engaged in writing, was
astonished by the entrance Of q visitor. who
entered and without a word took seat op-
posite me at my table. This surprised me.
as l had given particular orders to the SER
want that I should on no account be disturb
ed. The manner in which the intruder en-
tered. so perfectly self possessed. taking his
seat opposite me, without 4 word, as though
nv room and ali within belongeito him, ex-
c.ted in me as much surprise as Indignation,
As raised my head TO lock into his fea-
lures. over the top of my shaded lamp, I
discovered that he was wrapped in a thin
cloak. which effectually concealed his face
and features from my view. And as [ rails
ed my head he spoke:
What are you writing, Senator from
South Carolina ?''
Il did not think Of his impertinence at
first, but answered him Voluntarily
I am WritlD9 CUT Z uisso4utiOu OI the
American Union. (you know. gentlemen.
that am expected to produce plan of dis
solution In the event of certain contlngen-
cies)
'.'To this the intruder replied. in the cool
est manner possible:
Senator of South Carolina, will you
allow me TO look at your hand-your right
hand p
He rose, The cloak fell, and beheld lis
face. Gentlemen, the sight of that face
struck me like thunder-clap. 1t was the
face Of dead man, whom extraordinary
events had called back to life. be fea-
lures we're those of General George Wash
ington yes. gentlemen, the intruder was
none other than George Washington. He
was dressed in the Revolutionary costume.
such as you see preserved in the Patent OF
fee"
Here AIr Calhoun paused, apparently
much agitated His agitation, l need not
tell you, was shared by the company Dir.
Toombs at length broke the embarrassing
pause We'll. we'll what was the issue
of this scene 2" Mr. Calhoun resumed
This intruder. as l have said, rose and
asked to look at my right hand As though