Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-01-18
A SINGULAR STORY.

| Carolina school oil politicians were IN the
habit of daily threatening disunion. We
revive it on account Of its eccentric sig
ni6cance, and commend it to the at,en.
ton Of the Charleston Mercury and all
thnse other Southern papers whic h
warmly support President Pierce's Ad-
minisuation, and declare that unless It's
pro-slave'y policy is maintained and pur-
sued, they will dissolve the Tn ion. Tn
story is as follows: Ken. Jom nal.
"fhe other morning at the breakfast
table, our friend, the Hon. J hn c. Cal.
noun, seemed verv much troubled and
out of spirits. You know he is aliogeth
er venerable man, with hard, stern,
Seotcb-lrish face, sofIened in is express
ton around the mouth by sort of sad
smile, which wins the hearts Of all who
converse with him. His hair was snow
white He is tall, thin and angular
He reminds you very much of Old Ilick-
ory. That he is honest, no one doubts !;
he has sacrificed to his fatalism his
brightest hopes of political advancement,
has offered upon the shrine Of that ne
ccssty which he worssiips, all that can
excite ambition-even the Presidency
oi the United sStates.
But to my story. The other morning
at tue breakfast table, where l. an unob
served spectator. happened to be present,
Calhoun. was observed to gaze frequently
at his right hand, and brush i, wi,h his
left in a hurried and nervous l.anner.-
He did this SO often tha, it excited auen-
uon. AT length one OF the peEsons com
posing the breakfast-party--hs name
think is Toombs. and he is q member
of Congress from Georgia took upen
himself to ask the occasion OF Mr. Cal
houn's disquietude.
Does your hand pain you!' he asked.
To this Mr.. Calhoun replied, in rather
a hurried manner-"Pshaw! Il i moth
ing! Only Cream which had last
night, and which makes ne see perpetu-
ally large black spot-like an INK
biotch-upon the back of my right hand
An optical illusion, suppose"
OF course these words excited the GU.
rloslty OF the company; but 10 one ven.
iared To beg the details OF this singular
dream until Ioonbs asked hlm quietly
very shd7biefstifii65us h7i t arous dfeams 6ai
sometimes they have good deal Of truth
In them"
But this Was such a peculiarly absurd
Dream said Mr.. Calhoun, again brush
ing the back Of his right hand "howey-
er, # it does not too much intfude upon
the time Of onr friends. Will relate II to
you
Ot course the company were profuse
IN their expressions OF anxiety to know
all about the dream. In his singularly
sweet voice, MIR. Calhoun related 1t,
AT late hour last night, as was
sitting IN my room engaged in writing, |
was astonshed by The entrance of vlsi-
tor, VINO entered aud without a word took
seat opposite NE at my table. This
surprised me as | had gwen Particular
orders to the servan, that I should en- no
account be disturbed The name. in
which the intruder entered, so perfectly
seli-possessed, taking his seat opposite
me, without word, as tho Ugh my room
and all within 1t belonged to him, excit-
ed IN me as much surprise as Indignation
AS raised my head to look into his fea.
lures over the top Of my shaded lamp. |
discovered that he was Wfapt ic a thin
cloak, which eHectualIy concealed his
lace and features from my view. And as
| raised my head he spoke:
NV hat are you writing, Senator from
South Catolina z"
Il did not think Of his imperinence a.
hrst, but answered hun voluntarily
Il am writing plan for the dissolution
OF the American Union,' you know,
gentlemen, that am expected to produce
ii plan Tor the dissolution in the event of
certain contingencies
l this the intruder replied, in the
coolest manner possible:
Senator from South Carolina, will
YOU allow me to look at your hand your
right hand sn
Gle rose, the cloak fell, aad ! bcheld
his face. Gentlemen. the sight of that
lace struck me like thunder clap. 1t
was the face Of a dead man, whom ex.
traordmary events had called back to me.
lhe features were those of Gen. Wash
lngton yes, gentlemen, the intruder was
none other than George Washington.
lie was dressed in the Revolutionary cos
tune such as you see preserved in the
Patent Office"
Here Mr.. Calhoun paused, apparently
much agitated. His agitation, | need
not tell YOU, was shared by the company.
Ioombs a, length broke the embarrass-
ing pause. "Well. we'll, what was the
issue scene2' Mr.. Calhoun resumed :
This intruder, as have SAID, rose
and asked to look at my right hand
As though had not the power to refuse,
! extended 1t. The truth is, 1 fel, a
strange thrill pervade me at his touch !:
he grasped it and held it near the light,
thus atiording me full time to examine
every feature OF his face. II was the
lace OF Washington. Gentlemen shud-
dered as | beheld the horrible dead.allve
look of that visage, After holding my
hand Tor moment, he looked al me
steadily and said in quie, way:
"And with this right hand, Senator