New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-10-19
a Singular Story.

The following was published several years
ago, and we, believe proceeded originally from
the psn of a Washington letter. We revive it
on account Of its eccentric Significance, and
commend it to tho attention of the Charleston.
Mercury: s a.
The other morning, at the breakfast table,
our friend, the Hon John G. Calhoun, seemed
very much troubled and out of spirits. You
know he is altogether a venerable man, with o
hard, stern, Scotch-Irish face, softened in its
expression around the mouth by sort of sad
smile, which wins the hearts Of all who converse
with him. His hair is SNOWY white. lie 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
brightest hopes Of political advancement--has
offered up on the shrine of that necessity which
he worships all that can excite ambition-eyen
| the Presidency of the United States.
But to my story. The other morning at the
breakfast table, where !, an unobserved specta-
| tor, happened to be present. Calhoun WIS oh.
served to gaze frequently at his right hand and
brush it with his left in hurried and nervous
manner. He did this so often that it excited
attention. At length one Of the persons com.
| posing the breakfast party his name, think
| is Toombs, and he is q member Of Congress from
Georgia upon himself TO ask the occasion
i Of Mr.. Calhoun disquietude.
g Does your hand pain you?a he asked.
|, To this Mr. Calhoun replied, in rather fur
ried manner Pshaw! II is nothing onl,
dream which / had last night, and whicl
makes me see perpetually large, black spot
like an ink k-blotch---upon the back of my righ
hand. An optical illusion, l suppose"
j Of course these words excited the curiosity Q
the company, but no one yentured to beg th
I details of this singular dream, until Toomt
asked quietly
aWhat was your dream like? I'm not yer
superstitious about dreams but sometimes the
have q good deal Of truth in them" -
"But this WAS such q peculiarly absur
n DREAM said Mr.. Calhoun, again brushing th
back of his right hand; 'showever, il II doe
not too much intrude upon the time OF op
friends, will relate it to you"
of course the company were profuse in thei
: expressions of anxiety to know ell about I'd
1 dream Inhis singularly sweet voice, Mr. Va
shoun related it, e. -
D Al late hour last night, as was sittin
a in NV room engaged in writing, l was astor
. ished by the entrance Of O. visitor, who entert
!. and without word took 9 seat opposite me
" nv table This surprised me, as had givt
y particular orders to the servant that shou
'r on no account be disturbed. The manner
l. which the intruder entered, SO perfectly SCI
!. possessed, taking his seat opposite me, witho
Il q word, as though my room and all within
TO belonged to him, excited in me as much su
prise as Indignation. As / raised my head
/ look into his features, over the top of my shad
Of lamp, discovered that he was wrapped il
thin cloak, which effectually concealed his fa
a and features from my view. And as rais
! my head he spoke: g..
: g What are you writing, Senator from soa
! Carolina r. =-.z5 - =.z 49,