Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-06-18
lQ(Ortester Daily SpD,
MYSTERIOUS INCIDENTS.
BY BATARD TAYLOR.

IenCes, which are incapable OF beng SatISfaC-
torily explained by any known aws-remark-
able presentments, condolences, and some
times apparltions, even, which seem to be be-
You'd the reach of accident or chance, and
overcome us with special wonder. X
An undoubted instance of the kind happen
ed to me, while in California, in November,
1889 Starting from Sacramento, on horse
back, for journey to the Mokelumne and the
American Fork, l was detained three DAYS at
lonely rancho near the Costume River, by a
violent storm Of rain. On the fourth morning
the clouds broke away | saddled, swan the
river, and took a faint trail leading over the
plains, intending to make Hicks Rancho. a
miles distant, among the foot hills of the Sier-
ra Nevada. Very soon, however; I lost the
trail, which had been completely washed out
by the rain. Riding at hazard, toward the
mountain, sudden blind instnct-which [
never felt before, and cannot inteigibly de
scrlbe-toid me to strike a Decline in a
certain direction. l thereupon took my
bearings by the distant snowy peaks, and
rode slowly on-my mare sinking to her
knees at every step in the loose, saturated
son. 1t was during this ride that came upon
four grizzly bears, eating acorns in little
grove Of oaks. Our interview was like that
OF two Engishmen in the desert; momenta-
ry pause-a long stare-and each hurries to
l did not desire an introduction
made such slow progress, that night came
on as was entering the foothills | had
kept my Decline faithfully all the day; and
when halted at dusk, in a little wooded dell
blazed two trees, so that | might resume the
direction in the morning. Giving my mare
the length of her asso, that she might cron
the shrubs-as there was no grass to be had
built up large bonfire of dead limbs, and
sat down beside it on a fallen tree. There
was no moon; but the stars twm1led clearly
through the bare branches overhead. | had
depended on reaching the rancho, and was
therefore without provisions NV supper con
sisted OF segar and some rain-water, which |
had gathered in a hollow. What comfort
there Is IN fire. might give a thrilling
picture OF my sensatonS-lost alone and
tamlshing-which my pecunious reader would
shudder at, behind his lobster salad. But il
would not be true. | felt as coy and com
Portable as if before my wide fireplace in the
oaken chamber mot built YETI and the starry
silence OF the night filled my heart with a
soothing sense Of happiness and peace
Taking the saddle for pillow, [ wrapped
myself III my blanket, and lay dows with my
back to the field and my feet to the fire. But
my slumbers were short and fitful. The
neighborlood was famous for bears and |
was apprchensiye that my mare would take
fright, get loose and torsake me- So | law
awake half an hour at time, watching tIo
elimination Of the stars on the meridian line
of a slender twig over my head 1t was per-
haps, an hour past midnight when, as | thus
lay with open eyes gazing into the internal
beauty of night, became conscious of deep
mumuring sound like that of a rising wind
| looked ut the trees every branch was I'M
moyed-yet the sound was increased, until
the air OF the lonely deli seemed to vibrate
with its burden a strange feeling Of awe and
expectancy took possession Of me. Not a
dead leaf stirred on the boughs; while the
mighty sound-a choral hymn, sung by ten
thousand Y0ices-swept down over the hills
and rolled away like retreating thunder over
the plain. 1t was no longer the roar of the
wind. AS in the wandering prelude of an or
gan melody, note trod upon note with slow,
majestic footsteps, until they gathered to a
theme, and then came the words, simutan-
eousy chanted by an unreasonable host =
"Fnant teiYeShi@ P' The air was filled with
the tremendous sound, which seemed to sweep
near the surface of the EARTH in powerful
waves, without echo or reverberation
Suddenly, far overhead in the depths of the
sky, rang a single, clear piercing voice of un
natural sweetness. Beyond the reach Of hui
man instrument, its keen alto pierced the fir
mament like a straight white line of electric
fire. As it shot downward, gathering.n force,
the vast terrestrial chorus gradually dispersed
into silence and only that one unearthly
sound remained. 1t vibrated slowly into the
fragment of melody, unlike any which had
ever reached my ears-a long undulatng cry
of victory and of JOYS while the words g Vicat
Caltm p' were repeated more and more faint
ly, as the voice slowly withdrew, like fading
beam of sunset, into the abysses OF the stars.
Then all was silent in the dell, as before
1t is impossible to describe the impress
sion produced by this wonderful visitation.
| slept no more that night and for days
afterward, the piercing sweetness Of that
skyey voice rang through my brain. Walk
ing Broadway, years afterwards, the memory
OF it has flashed across my mind as sharp and
sudden as a streak of lightning and if it now
returns more family and less frequently than
before, its weird and supernatural character
remains the same was undeniably awake at
the time, and could recall neither fact, refec-
ton, nor fancy of nature to suggest the
sounds but | was tatgued, furnished, alone
in the wilderness, awed by the sOlemnity and
silence of the night-perhaps evenmore than
suspected-and my imagination, acting invol-
UNFAIRLY and unconscious to myself, produced
the Illusion | have often observed that com
plete reposc of the body, after great fatigue, is
accompanied-when continued to a certain
time-wth a corresponding repoSe Of wolf
ton, a passive condition Of the mind, highly
favorable to the independent state of the mag
nation. Then, if ever, are we in a fit state to
hear
s.rhe airy tongues that syllable mems names
On sands, and shores and desert wildenesses."
The dream is no less wonder. How does
one faculty of the brain act, so far beyond our
conscious knowledge, as to astound us with
the most unexpected images Why should it
speak in the Latin tongue! How did it com
pose music-whch would be as impossible for
me as to write Sanscrit poem
There is another interesting fact connected
with this adventure. When daybTeak came, |
saddled my mare and with the aid OF the
blazed trees, resumed the Decline Of the prcyi-
GUS day. 1t was no easy matter to follow 1T
up and down the precipitous hills but l had
not proceeded an hour before my course was
blocked by the very ranch to which ! was
bound My blind animal instinct had guided
me for twenty miles, over hill and plain, and
hit the target exactly in the center
n n n
One more incident of a more decided charac-
ter closes the list of my experiences. during
my last visit to London, accepted an invita-
ton to pass two or three days with banker,
who occupies fine estate on the Thames, near
Windsor. The house--which was palace
in its extent and the character of its appoint
ments--was built by former Earl of T
who ruined himself in erecting it. Gardens,
graperes, and noble path, stretching along
the bank of the Thames, completed the attrac-
tons of one of the loyeliest places in England.
When the hour for rest arrived, was conduct.
ed to chamber leading toward the lowered
entrance, and group Of magnificent cedars Of
Lebanon, on the lawn. The night was misty
and moonless--so that, after had extinguisli.
ed my candle, the room remained in almost