Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-10-27
A Singular story,

the pen of Washington letter, We revive
on account of its eccentric significance. an
commend it to the attention of the Charleston
Mercury:
The other morning, at the breakfast table
our friend, the Hon. John C. Calhoun, SCENE,
much troubled and out Of spirits. You know
he is altogether venerable man, with hard
stern, Scotch-lrish face, softened in its express
sion around the mouth by sort of sad smile
which wins the hearts of all who converse witt
him. His hair is snow-white. He is tall, thir
and angular. He reminds you very much o.
Old Hickory. That he is honest, no one doub
he has sacrificed to his fataIism his brightes,
hopes of political ancement--has offered
up on the shrine Of that necessity which he
worships all that can excite nmbtion-evsu
| the Presidency of the United States.
But to my story. The other morning at the
breakfast-'able, where |, an unob,erved specta.
tor, happened TO be present, Calhoun was OBJ
served to gaze frequently al 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 a member of Congress
from Georaia-took upon himself to ask the
occasion of Mr. Calhoun's disquetude.
"Does your hand pain you!" he asked.
To this Mr.. Calhoun replied, in rather fur
ried dmanner-"Pshaw! It is nothing! Onlv a
dream which had last night, and which makes
me see perpetuaIly large, black spot-like an
ink -bo,ch-upon the back of nv right hand
An optical illusion, suppose"
or course these words excited the curiosity
of the company, but no one ventured TO be:
the details Of this singular dream, until Toombs
asked quietly
"What was your dream like! I'm not very
superstitious abpt dreams; but sometimes
they have good deal Of truth in them"
"But this was such peculiarly absurd
dream" said Mr. Calhoun, again brushing the
back of his right hand; "however. il it does not
too.m much intrude upon the time of our friends,
will relate il 10 you"
Ofcourse the company were profuse in their
expressions Of anxiety TO know all about the
dream. In his ,singularly sweet voice, Mr..
Calhoun related il:
my room engaged in writing, was astonlshed
BY the entrance of visitor. who entered and
without word of self introduction, he took
q seat opposite me at my table. This surprs-
ed me, as had given particular orders to the
servant that should on no account be disturb.
ed. The manner in which the intruder entered
so perfectly seif-possessed. taking his seat op-
posite me. without a word, as though my room
and all within it belonged TO him, excited in me
as much surprise as indignation. As / raised
my head to look into his features over the top
of my shaded lamp discovered that he was
wrapped in thin cloak, which effectually con.
ceaied his face and features from my view.
And as raised my head he spoke:
"What are you writing, Senator from South
II did not think Of his impertinence at first,
but answered him voluntarily
Il am writing plan for the dissolution of
he American Union, lyon know, gentlemen,
hat am expected to produce plan Of dsso-
ution in the event Of certain contingencies.)
"To this the intruder replied, in the coolest
possible:
"'Ssnator from South Carolina, will you 81. |
ow me to1ook at your hand-yoorrig hand!'
"He rose, the cloak fell, and beheld his |
ace. Gentleman. the sight Of that face struck |
ne like thunder-clsp. II was the face Of = |
lead man, whom cxtfaordinsrySvsn had call !
d back to life. The features were those of |
General George Washington; yer, gentlemen,
he intruder was none other than George Wash.
ngton. He was dressed in the revolutionary |
cstume, such as you see preserved in the Pat
int Office" ~ a
Here Mf. Calhoun paused. apparently much
gitated. His agitation need not tell you,
vas shared by the company. Toombs at length
voke the embarrassing pause. 'sWsll w-e-l-l I
That was the issue Of this scene?" Mr. Cal. T
oun resumed: ssi ss
.This intruder. ~ have said, rose and ask
d to look at my right hand. Az though
I'd not the power to refuse, extended. The
ruth Il felt strange thrill pervade me At bis
ouch; he grasped itand held it near the light
aua e6ording me full time 10 examine every
,ature Of his face. Il was the face Of Wash-
DQton. Gentlemen 81 shuddesed as be-
cid the horribly dead 6lipe look Of that yisaes.
Ifter holding my hand fora moment. he look
at ne steadily and said ips quiet way:
ssAnd with this right hsnd, Senator from
arolina, you would sigu your name to paper
eclarinc the Union dissolvedY
Il ausweredin the affirmative. sYes,' said !,
I certain contingency arises, I will sign my
sme TO the. Declaration II Dissoiution.' but
that moment blsek blotch appeared on The
lck Of my hand, au 'inky blotch which ] seem i
see even now. what is thaty cried ]. alar.
ed. know not why. 1t The blotoh upon my
Ind. s
~sThst' aid hs dropping my hasd. that b
D mark ~ which Benedict Arnold is known
ne nexs world
%EIs ssid no mofs, gentiemen, but drew from
,usxah his cloak ~ object which he placed
pon ths tabls- -plassd It upon the very paper
] which I was writing. That object, gentls-
"a, wxs skelleton. q I.
ssrhsfe,s aid he, 1hefe are the bones Of
aac Hay0s, Who was hung in Charleston By |
! Britisk. II Rave Iii ne ii order % esfab.
ii the Vuiog When you put your name 10
dsctafs sglSl asoIution, why yOs maj as
eilhave the Sc1ss of Isaac Hayne before you
3 Was j S0otk Carolinian, and % Nre yos.
ii there was ID: bl6teh upon 'his sigiit hand !
Win tkeSe Kords tie Intruder 7Iel room.