Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-01-30
q Sclctt storp.
A " enderfuJ Story.

The following wonderful story appeared
several years ago, from the pen of an un-
known author:-
The other morning, at the breakfast table,
our friend the Hon. ohm G, Calhoun, seemed
very much troubled and out Of the spirits.
You know he is altogether venerable man,
with hard, stern, Scotch Irish face, softened
in its expression 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 tell, thin, and angular. He reminds
you very much of Old Hickory. That he is
honest, no one doubts; he has sacrificed to
his fataligm his brighteet hopes of political
advancenent--has offered up on the shrine of
that necessity which he worships all that can
excite ambition-even the Presidency of the
United States.
But to my story. The other morning at
the breakfast table, where l, an unobseryed
spectator, happened to be present Calhoun
was observed to gaze frequently at 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 composing the breakfast party
his name, | think, is Toombs, and he is
member Of Congress from Georgia-took
upon himself to ask the occasion Of Mr.. Cal
houn disquetude.
"Does your hand pain you" he asked of
Mr.. G.
To this Mr.. Calhoun replied, in rather q
Aurried manner -
"Pshaw 1t is nothing Only dream l
had last night, and which makes me see per-
petually large black spot--like an ink blotch
upon the back Of my right hand. An optical
ilusou, | suppose"
CT course these words excited the curiosity
I,ft hn hep
the details of this singular dream, until
Toombs asked quietly
! "What was your dream like I'm not very
superstitiors about dreams; but sometimes
they have great deal Of truth in them"
but this was such peculiarly absurd
dream" said Mr. Calhoun, again brushing the
back Of his right hand "however, if it does
not intrude TOO much on the time Of our
friends, will relate it to you"
OF course, the company were profuse in
their profession OF anxiety to know all about
the dream. In his singular sweet voice, Mr..
Calhoun related -
"At late hour last night, as l was sitting
in my room engaged in writing, | was aston.
ished by the entrance Of q yisiter, who entered
and without word took seat opposite me
at my table. This surprised me, as | had
given particular orders to the servant that /
manner in which the intruder entered, SO
perfectly selEpossessed taking bis seat oppo-
site me, without word, as thoaEh 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 wrapt in q thin cloak, which efleCtuelly
concealed his face and features from my view.
Ind as ! raised my head he spoke -
"WhaL are you writing, Senator from South
Carolina ?"
81 did not think of his impertuence at
first, but answered him voluntarily
Il am writing plan of the dissolution ot
the American Union, (you know, gentlemen
that am expected to produce plan of dis
solution, in the event Of certain centlngen'
cies.)
40 this, the intruder replied, in the coolest
manner possible -
"Senator from South Carolina, will you al
low me to look at your hand-your right
handT p
"He rose, the cloak fell, and l beheld hi.
face. Gentlemen, the sight Of that face
struck me like thunder-clap. 1t was the
face of dead man, whom extraordinary
events had called back to life. The features
were those of General George Washington
, yes, gentlemen, the intruder was none othe
i than George Washington. He was dressed
| in the Revolutionary costume, such as yol
, see in the Patent Office"
Here Mr.. Calhoun paused, apparently agi
tated. His agitation, l need not tell you
was shared by the company. Toombs q
7 length broke the embarrassing pause -
r "Well, we-e-ll, what was the issue of thi
! scene"
Mr.. Calhoun resumed -
"The intruder, as l have said, rose an
asked me to look at my right hand. A
though had not the power to refuse, l eA
70 tended it. The truth is, felt strang
thrill pervade me at his touch; he graspe
it and held it near the light thus ahordin
!. me full time to examine every feature.
|, was the face of Washington. Gentlemen,
!, shuddered as behed the horribly dead aliy
of that visage. After holding my hand Tor
: moment, he looked at me steadily, and sal
:. in quiet way:
Z "And with this right hand, Senator fro
South Carolina you would sign your nan
10 paper declaring the Union dissolved =