Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-03-01
miscellaneous.
A SINGULAR STORY.


The following was published several
years ago, says the Baltimore Clipper,
and we believe proceeded originally from
the pen Of a Washington lettcr-writer.
We revive it on account Of its eccentric
significance:
The other morning at the breakfast
table our friend, the Hon. John G. Cal
houn, seemed very much troubled and
out of spirits You know he is altogeth-
or venerable man, with hard, stern,
Scotch Irish face, softened in its express
sion around the mouth by sort of sad
smile, which wins the hearts of all who
converse with him. His hair is snow
white. lie is tall, thin and angular.
lie reminds you very much of Old Hick-
Dry. 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 lie worships all that can
excite ambtion--even the Presidency of
the United States
But to my story. The other morning
at the breakfast table, where |, an unob-
served spectator happened to be present,
Calhoun was observed to gaze frequently
at his right hand, and brush it with his
lef; in hurried and nervous manner.
He did this so often that ii excited atten-
ton. At length one of the gentlemen
composing TIE breakfast party--his name,
| think, is Toombs, and he is a member
Of Congress from Georgia-took upon him
self to ask the occasion Of Mr.. Calhoun's
disquiotude
Does your hand pain you y he asked
To this Mr.. Calhoun replied in rather
Hurried manner "Pshaw!it is nothing.
Only dream | had last night, and which
makes me see perpetually large black
spot-likc an ink blotch-upon the back
Of my right hand. An optical illusion l
suppose"
OF course these words excited the Gu
riosity of the company, but no one ven
tured to beg the details of this singular
dream, until Toombs asked quietly
What was your dream like ? Ii am not
very superstitious about dreams; but
sometimes they have good deal oftruth
in them"
"But this was such peculiarly absurd
dream" said Mr.. Calhoun, again brush
ing the back of his right hand; chow
ever, if it does not intrude too much on
the time Of our friends, will relate it to
you"
Of course the company we're profuse in
their expressions Of anxiety to know all
about the dream. In his singularly sweet
voice, Mr.. Calhoun related it:
r" Alta late hour last night, as 7 was
sitting in my room engaged in writing, /
was astonishcd by the entrance of visi-
tor, who entered and without word took
seat opposite me at my table. This
surprised me as | had given particular
orders to the servant that / should on no
account be disturbed. The manner in
which the intruder entered, SO perfectly
self-possessed, taking his seat opposite
me, without word, as though my room
and all within it belonged to him, excl
ted in me as much surprise as Indignation.
As l raised my head to look into his
features over the top Of my shaded lamp,
| discovered that he was wrapt in thin
cloak, which effectually concealed his
face and features from my view And
as | raised my head he spoke;
"What are you writing, Senator from
South Carolinap
Il did not think of his impertinence
at first, but answered him Voluntarily
Il am writing plan for the dissolu-
tior of the American Union, (youk know,
gentlemen, that | am expected to produce
plan of dissolution in the event Of GER
tain contingencies
8" To this the intruder replied in the
coolest manner possible :"
Senator from South Carolina, will
you allow me to look at your hand--your
right handi"