American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-03-25

I
tS;onscienee doth Make Cownrds ofus
,,r,... x o Ia4ric ~ aH.''
o'' The following strange story appeared
before the death ,Mr. Calhoun. and was al |
gways understood to be correct and true In
every particular:
The other morning at the bleskfast ta-
BILE, our friend ] the Hen, John @. Calhoun
seemed very much troubled, and out OF
spirits. You know be is altogether
a venerable man, with hard, stern,
Scotch Irish face softened in its express
ion around the mouth by a sort OF sad
smile, which wins the hearts fall who
converse with him. His hair is snow
white. He is tall, thin and angular. lie
reminds you very much Of Old Hickory,
That he is honest, no one doub,s; he has
sacri6ced to his fatalsm his brightest
hopes o. political advancement-bas offer
ed up on the shrine of that necessity
which he worsbips all that can excite to
ambition, even the Presidency of the Cni
led States.
But to my story. The other morning
tthe breakfast table, where |, an unob-
serbed spectator, happened to be present.,
Calhoun was observed TO gaze frequently
at hi. right hand, and brush i. with his
left ia a hurried and nurvous manner. He
-did,t this so often that it excited attention.
Atlength one Of the persons composing
tn, breakfast party-his name | think i:
Toon,bs, and he is member Of Congress
from Georeia-took upon hin sell to in
quire as the occasion of Mr. Calhoun's dis
quietude. m lr-t
: Does your hand pain you?' he asked o
Mr.. g.
To this Mr.. Calhoun replied, in rather
Hurried manner.
.Pshawl 1. is nothing! Only dream
Ihad last night. which makes me- see per
petually a large black spot, like an inl
blotch, upon the back of my right hand
An optical Illusion, suppose
Ofcourse these words excited the Gu
riosity of the the company, but no on
ventured to beg the detail o(this singula
dean, until Toombs ask quietly:
What was your dream like? I'm no
very superstitious about dreams; but som
times they have great deal of truth j
them
But this was such peculiarly absur
dream, said NJ. Calhoun, again brusin
the back Of his right hand; however If
does not intrude loo much on the time
our friends will relate it to you,
of course the company were profuse
their pro ces>ion Of anxiety to know all
bout the dream. In mis- elngulsr, swe
voice, Mr.. c., related It:
stAt a late hour last night, | was sittil
in myroom engaged in writing, was
tonished. at the entrance ola visitor, W
entered and without a word took seat Q
posite me at my table. This surprised |
as had given particular orders to the ST
want should on no account be disturbt
The manner 10 which the intruder enter
so perfectly self possessed, taking his 81
opposite me, without a word as thou
nv room and all within it belonged to b
excited id. me as much surprise as ind
nation. As,I raised my head to look II
his failures, over the top Of my shat
lamp, 1 discovered that he was wrapE
inathin cloak which effeotually conc,
cd his face and features from my view.
I raised my hand he spoke: ..,... "
What are you writing, Senator fr
South Carolins9' -
/ did not think OF bis impertinence
frst, but answered him voluntarily
II am writing plan Of the dissolu
of the American Union; lyou know gen
men, that am expected toproduce a
of dissolution, in the event OF certain (
tingencies,) III
TO this The intruder replied, in the
est manner possible: ai
Senator from South Carolina, will
allow me to look at your haud--your r
hand?'
He rose, the cloak fell. and I be
his face. Gentlemen, the sightof that
struck me like a thunder slap. It was
face ola dead man. whom e1traordi
events bad called backto life. The
ures were those Of General George w