White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-04-08
A SINGULAR STORY.

THE following "Singular Story is now be-
ing re -produced by the press. as having come
from an unknown author. We know the author
to have been the late George Lippard, who first
published it just about nine years ago, lin the
Spring of 1897 in his paper. the Quaker City,
at Philadelphia. It was but a fancy sketch of
the author, so appropriate and lifs-like that it
ought to have been true. IL was called forth
by one of Calhoun's last Disunion schemes, but
a short time before Death accomplished what
patriotism never could-ended his mad, wild
and persevering efforts 70 destroy this Union, 81
ven us BY Washington, and sealed with the
life blood of Col. Isaac Hayne, OF South CARROLL
ma, and thousands Of other patriot martyrs Of the
Revolution. Senator Toombs, m 'ntioned in the
sketch, and a number Of others of similar
stripe, although lacking the genius and talents
of Calhoun, are still engaged in attempting to
accomplish the sacrilegious designs Of which he
was the father They all have black spots, if
net on their right hands, in their hearts. The
peculiar genius of Lippar1 stands forth through
out this sketch.-ED. CHEF. .,... ..
The other morning. at the breakfast table, our
friend, the Hon. John c. Calhoun, seemed very
much troubled and out of spirits. You know he
is altogether venerable man, with hard, stern,
Scotch Irish face, softened in its expression
around the mouth, BY a sort Of sad smile, which
winsshe hearts of all who converse with him.
His hair is snow white. He is tall, thin and
angular. He reminds you very much OF Old
Hickory. That he is honest no one doubts; ne
has sacrificed to his fatalism his highest hopes
Of political adSaneement-has offered up on the
shrine of that necessity which he Eorships, all
that can excite ambition, even the Presidency
of the United States. ..f a. E.-s--..--. 3
But to my story. The other morning, at the
breakfast table, where I, an unobserved specta-
tor, happened to be present, Calhoun was obser-
we'd to gaze frequently at his right hand, and
brush it with his LEFT in a hurried and nervous
manner. He did this 50 often that it excited
attention. At length one of the persons com
posing the breakfast party-his name, think,
is Toombs, and he is member of Congress
from Georgia-took upon himself to ask the &C.
casion of Mr.. CaIhoun's disquietude.
"Does your hand pain yOui" he asked Of
Mr.. C. ,;-.r-s..,- :, r, SO -. :,
RED manner: At'' pa .H'''' r-'-' -
"~Pshaa. II is nothing. Only 8 dream Ihae
last night, and which makes me see perpetually
A large black spot, IKE an ink blotchs upon the
back of my right hand. An optical Illusion l
suppose" i~r-- u III !.
OF these words excited the curiosity OF
the company. but no one yentured to beg the
details of this singular dream, until Toombs ask
ed quietIy:i ieHao'' etii 80
"what was youe dsiAn Iiksi Tam not very
superstitious about dr. ksh., but sometimes they
have great deal of truth in them" u
aBut this vas such 8 peculiarly absurd
dream, said Mr.. Calhoun, again brushing the
hack of his right hand; ubowever,ifit does not
intrude too much upon the time Ofour friends |
will relate it to you" saiiiE1 1-.t
OF course, the company we're profuse in their
profession of anxiety to know all about the
dream. In his singular, sweet voice, Mr.. Cal
houn related it .,-- .7fys "a fsLt
AT late nour last night, as was sitting in
nv room engaged in writing, I was sstonished
nv tbe entrance Of a visitor, Who entered, and
without word took seat opposite me, at my
table. This surprised me. as had given par
t;eular orders to the servant that l should on no
account be disturbed. The manner in which
the intruder entered, 50 perfectly self possessed
taking his seat opposite me, without ~o.d, as
though my room and all within It belonged q
him, excited in me as much surprise IS indigna-
ton As I raised my head 20 look into his fea-
lures, over the top Of ny shaded lamp, ! disco
sersd tha. he was wnpped in thin cloak
which eFectaaIIy concealed bis face and features
from my view And Is raised ~ head h'
spoke: ..t.sq ..f.-;. ,.,s.
Carolina7'