The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-10-19
Vo4s 4s2llII15i--No.;6 ! I
Calhoun's Dream:
ARENARKABLE STORY. -

UNeipniu Euaher Nity, HI WIG W"'Si VI
lS49-50, writteniby it's swashihgton cor
respondent: y <'if' rn7 aer
Mn. EDIroR The other morning, at
the breakfast table, our friend the Hon.
John G. Calhoun, seemed very much trou-
bled and out of spirits. You know he is
altogether venerable man, with hard,
stern Scotch Irish face. softened in its ex-
preston around the mouth by sort Of
sad smile, which wins The eaf Of all whe
converse with him. His hair is snowy
white. He is tall, thin and angular. He
reminds you very much Of Old Hickory.
Tha. he is honest, no one doubts !; he has
sacrafioed to fatalism, his brightest hopes
of political edyancement-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 ], an unob-
served spectator, happefied 10 be present,
Calhoun was observed to gase at his right
hand, and brush it with his left in a hurri-
ed and nervous manner. He did this so
often that it excited attention. Atlength
one of the persons composing the break
fast party (roombs, a member of Congress
from Georgia) took upon himself to ask
the occasion Of Mr.. Calhouns disquietude.
docs your hand pain you 7" he asked.
TO this Mr.. Calhoun replied, in rather
q hurrid manner, "Pshawl 1t is nothingt
Only dream which had last night, and
that makes me see perpetually black
spot-lke an ink blotch-upon the back
of my right hand; optical delusion l sup
pose" ...sr.t. -.
OF course these words excited the Curl
osity Of the company but no one ven
tured to beg the details of this singular
dream, until Toombs asked, quietly .s,
What was your dream like? am not
very superstitious about dreams, but some
times they have a great dea! of truth in
thcm.' .# .. t....|r
but this was such peculiarly absurd
dIeam," said Mr.. Calhoun, again brush
ing the back Of his right hand; "however,
if it does not too much intrude upon the
time of our friends, will relate it to YOU"
Of course the company We're proluse in
their expressions of anxiety to know all
about the dream. In his singuhrly sweet
voice, Mr.. Calhoun related it ...
AT a late hour last night as was sit
ting in my room engaged in writing, was
astonished by the entrance of u visitor,
who, without word. took n seat opposite
me at my table. This surprised me, as /
had given particular orders to servant
| that | should on no occasion be disturbed
! The manner in which the intruder enter
ed, SO perfectly selfpossessed, taking his
| seat opposite me, without a word, as though
my room and all within it belonged to
| him, excited in me rs much surprise rs
! Indignation. As raised my head to look
into his features, over the top OF my shad-
I ed lamp, | discovered that he was wrap
| ped in Il thin cloak, which etfrcthally con-
| cculed his face and features from my view
| AS raised my head he spoke:
"What are you doir!.
! Sou,L C,r,.ti iSJvc, Wit: sufferers irvIr
Il did not tlins:' :' 81 Ii is insfsi ass.hsa
first, but answered him voluntarily:
81 am writinga plan for the dissolution
! of the American Union" You know
! gentlemen, am expected to p,o,Iuce q
| plan of dissolution in the event OF Certain
contingencies. " +"
'ro this the intruder replied. in tho
coolest manner possible:
"Senator from South Carolina, will Won
allow me to look at your hand--your right
| hand Z"
ale rose, tho cloak fell, and behsl,
his face. Gentlemen, the sight Of that
face struck me like a thunder-clap. 1t
was the face Of dead man. whom extra
ordinary events had called back to life.-
The features were of those of General
George Washington yes, gentleman, tho
intrrter was none ether than George
Washington. fie was dressed in Reyoiu.
tionary costume, such as you see presery-
ed in the Patent Office.
Here Mr.. Calhoun paused, apparently
nj, a cii
tell you, was shared by the company Mr..
Toembs at length broke the embarrassing
pause. "Well, well, what was the issue
OF this scene ?" Mr.. Calhoun resumed:
The intruder, as have said, rose and
asked to look atm right hand. As though
had not the power to refuse, extended
it. The truth is, felt strange thrill
pervade me at his touch; he glasped'it
and held it near the light thus affordinc
me full time to examine every feature of
his face. 1t was the face of George Wash
ington, &c ltlemen. ] shuddered as Ibs-
held the horrible dcaf-aiicc look of that
visage. After holding my hand for a mo-
ment, he looked at me steadily, and said
in quiet way:
"And with this hand, Senator from
South Carolina, you woald sign your maine
81 answered in the affirmative. Yes"
said |, III certain contingency arises,
will sign my name to the Declaration Of
Dissolution" But at that moment black
blotch appeared on the back of my hand
an inky blotch, that seem to see now.
i"What is tnat? 2" cried l, alarmed, know
not why, at the blotch upon my hand"
That" said he, dropping my hand,
'that is the mark by which Benedict Ar
mold is known in the next world" ..f
"lIe said no more, gentlemen, but drew
from beneath his cloak an object which
lie placed upon the table--placed il upon
the very paper on which ] was writing
That object was skeleton"
There" said he, "therc are the bones
of Isaac uayne, who was hung at Charles
ton by the British. He gave his life in
order to establish the Union. When YOU
put your name to Declaration of Disso-
luton, why, you may as well have tho
bones of Isaac llayne before you. lie was
a South carolinian, and so are YoU. But
there was no blotch upon his right hand"
"With these words the intruder left
the room. | started back from the
contact with the dead mars bones. and
--awoke. Overworn with labor, had
fallen asleep and been dreaming. VAST
not a singular dream 7" ....
ToBAcco FOR Boys.-A strong and sensi.
BILE writer administers a wholesome dosa