True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-10-06
VOL. mo. 40.

"a dreamp exclaimed my father, with
a look Of terror. sWhat Another
dream! DID you dream be was going to
murder you, ladr a
Yes, father. I dreamt that dream two
hours ago; and even now, in the broad
daylight, | feel that | could not venture
70 sleep another night upon the rock,
with that man only as my companion
Heaven forbid you should responded
my father, soemnly.
Il saw him. continued /, r'as though
with my open eyes, as lay in my bed,
with his hand kept back behind him as
though it were holding some weapon out
of sight, and with murder upon his face,
as plainly as though the word had been
written there in blood. was on my feet
in second, but not soon enough to prove
that my dream was true. thought
heard his agile step upon the iron stair.
l thought saw shadow fit for an in.
stant across the door Of the lantern but
when | got up there, he was trimming
the lamps SO naturally and met all my
angry suspicious with such astonishmens
and GOODNESS, that am upon reflection
fairly staggered, and don't know what to
think. So certain was | at the time,
however, ofthe warning which my dream
seemed 10 convey that bade him seek
some other employment elsewhere, for
would have him for my mate no longer.
Then l signalled for boat and came on
shore, intending to tell you all, and con-
sulling what is best TO be done about this
strange business. But | am afraid you
think me fool.
'Then my father, upon his part, told
me Of those dreams at home, and Of the
reason Of his being upon the way whereon
| had met min. Il seemed to US both
that the neglect Of four such wonderful
coincidences-to say no more-would be
far from right, but thar at the same time
we would not be justified in pushing upon
such evidence one who might be, after
all, as innocent of any evil, as either of us.
So turned back to the village with my
father, with the intention of putting off 10
the rock, and coming 10 some arrange
ment with the Italian. that should not
deprive him Of his bread.
"A little after my departure, however.
he himself signalled for a boat. and
that taking with him what little property
ne possessed, he had landed and had been
seen to walk northward out Of town.
None of US have ever set eyes upon this
man from that eventful night. Whether
he is innocent or whether he is guiltf. "a
not in human power to tell. So certain,
however. in my ignorance, did feel Of
this mind, that when read in the paper
of their being about to hang an Italian.
foreigner in this place for The murder Of
a man in his sleep, l came here at once
to satisfy myself-in hope rather than in
fear, am ashamed TO say, that this four.
fold dream would be found 10 have foun.
daiion. Pity for the soul Of yon poor
wretch, however soon touched my heart,
even before | saw him /; and when look.
ed upon those awful lineamenls, as he
was lifted upon the scaffold, | thanked
Heaven from tine bottom of my heart,
that the man was stranger, and that our
dreams wonderful as they were, still
need unravelling.'
Here the story ofthe sailor ended; and
presently he strobe away to the railway
station Of the line which was to take him
home. .,., .s M,
have never seen him since or heard
any other reference to this tale bu. The
circumstances under which l heard Il;
firmly fixed it upon my memory.