Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-30
A WONDERFUL STORY.

The following wonderful story appeared sew
author:
The other morning at the breakfast table,
our friend, the Hon. John G. Calhoun, SEEM
ed very much troubled and out Of SPIRITS
You know he is altogether venerable man,
with hard, stern, Scotch-Irish face, softened
in It's 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 re-
minds you very much of Old Hickory. That
he is honest, no one doubts; he has sacrificed
to his fltalism his brightest hopes Of political
adyancement-has offered mp on the shrine of
that necessity he worships, all that can excite
ambition-eycn the Presidency of the United
States.
But TO my story. The other morning at the
breakfast table, where L, unobserved spec
tator, happened to be present, Calhoun was
observed TO gaze frequently at his right hand,
and brush it with his left in a hurried and ner-
yous manner. He did this so often that it cx-
cited attention. At length ono of the persons
composing the breakfast party-his name, l
think, is Toonlbs, and he is a member OF Con-
gress from Georgia-took upon himself to ask
the occasion of Mr. Calhoun's dIsquietude.
ssDoes your hand pain You rs he asked OF
Mr.. C.
To this Mr.. Calhoun replied, in rather a
furried manner:
ssPshaw. 1t is nothing more than dream
had last night, and which makes me see per-
petually a large black spot-like an ink bloteh
upon the back of my right hand. An opti-
cal illusion suppose"
Of course these words excited tho curiosity
of the company, but no one ventured to en-
Toombs asked quietly
.>What was your dream like? I'm not very
superstitious about Dreams; but sometime:
they have a great deal of truth in them"
esBut this was such peculiarly absurd
dream,'' said Mr.. Calhoun, again brushing the
back of his right hand; ''however, if it does moi
intrude too much on the time Of our friends
I will relate it to you.''
OF course the company were profuse in then
expressions of anxiety to know all about the
dream. In his singularly sweet voice, Mr. c.
related it:
ssAt late hour last night, as ! was sitting
in my room engaged in writing, L aston
ished by the entrance of visitor, who, with
ont word, took seat opposite me at my ia
BILE. This surprised me, as l had given par
tcular orders to the servant that should OF
no account be disturbed. The manner il
which the intruder entered, so perfectly self
possessed, taking his seat opposite me, with
out word, as though my room and all within
1t belonged to him, excited in me as much sur
prise as indignation. As l raised my head tC
look into his features, over the top of my sha
ded lamp, discovered that he was wrapped il
a thin cloak, which effectually concealed hi.
face and features from my view. And as
raised my head he spoke :"
ssssssWhat are you writing, Senator from Soutl
Carolina ?''
ssI did not think Of his impcrtinence a
first, but answered him voluntarily
81 am writing plan for the dissolution o
the American Union, (you know, gentlemen
that am expected to produce plan of disso
tuition in the event of certain contingencies
$40 this the intruder replied, in the coolest
manner possible: Senator from South Carroll
ma, will you allow me to look at your right
hand-your right hand ?'''
'sHe rose, the cloak fell, and 1 beheld his
face. Gentlemen, the sight of that face .trucE
me like thunder clap. It was the face Of
dead man, whom extraordinary events ha,
called back to life. The features Were thos,
of General GEoRGE WASHINGTON He wa
dressed in the Revolutionary costume, such a
you see in the Patent Office.o
Here Mr.. Calhoun paused, apparently agita
ted. His agitation, need not tell you, va