Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-12-07

Frustrated by an Extraordinary Dream.
I was a close student at school, a young
ambitious lad of sixteen, somewhat home
spun, but strong in uprightness, and con-
scious of power. My dear father was sick,
and undergoing that metempsychosis whicE
the shallow thinkers call death. 1t was a
stormy day in January; the snow had fallen
two feet deep, and | started for my home,
eight miles distant. My father had written
to me that he wanted to see me; he wanted
to give me injunction not to forgetmy duties
to him in the care of his wife-my mother.
He need not have sentit; could not, never
can, forget him or her. His desire to see me,
growing out of a feeling that he might at any
hour "pass onward and to give counsel was
natural, but not necessary. But his slightest
wish was law to me- and | started for home,
as | have said, on foot. Weary walk, this
trudging in an unbroken snow path. Before
reached the door, ! thought my body would
tire out completely; but it did not-I accom-
plished it.
ate my supper, chatted awhile with my
parents, and went to bed in my old bed
room. My father and my mother left in
the kitchen, gratfed at my arrival and proud
of me.
fell asleep, awoke, arose and dressed NY
self, came into the kitchen, took a seat be-
tween my father and my mother. They
looked surprised, and Inquired why had left
Said l, "Has nobody been here since went
to bed p
"Well," replied l, " there will somebody
come, and that is why have left my bed--at
least have dreamed there would, and the
dream is no Illusion to me, but a fierce re-
ality."
My father smiled as if fincredulous; yet as
if he asked no braVer or better defender than
is 4 lie ins
cautious woman, heard rap at the door, and
stepped to it, as supposed, to inquire who
was there, and what was wanted, but instead
opened the door, and in came terrible gust
of wind and snow-for the night was hid
eous-and with them marched a womSh.
She walked halfway from the door to the
fire, when she discovered me, and evidently
took her aback by my presence. saw the
creature of my dream. l knew that l was
destined to a struggle, and grew in strength
as looked at my dear father and mother.
She took chair, turned her back to the fire
and seated herself in the shadow. / kept
my seat and appeared to give no attention to
her.
"Who are you ?' inquired my father
Whats that to your said she.
EVERY thing, if you are to stay in my
house; nothing if you are mott
"What if do not tell you2'
Then you must leave my house"
"Leave the housel" exclaimed she;
should like to see any body here to try to put
me out"
"What if call my men, and throw you
out neck and heels?h
'You have not got any men; they have all
gone home.h
'How do you know?"
] glanced at my father. He was pale, but
his courage ebbed not whit. He, helpless,
not able to get ont of his chair, surmised
strange occurrences, for he had received not
less than 81 800 that very week, from large
wheat sales, and he saw what was before
him. This bag was either decoy or man
in disguise, whose object was robbery.
could see that all this was rapidly passing
through my fathers mind, but it did not
boy him the ninth part Of an inch. So l
sat still. | suspected nothing but a war of
words. The hag had an old quilted hood,
and an old quilted cloak, which reached to
her feet, and was belted about the waist.
HYou are woman ?" said father.
.. . "of course ! an am; what do you ask me
Have you a husband ?"
"Yes." d
Where does. he live?"
Hn Truxton:'"
"Well, then..if you have a husband why
do you not live at.home, instead of gadding
about on such a night as this, fit only for
1lenoS 10 be ahroAdF :;
Why dom You set the North River on
FIRE 2" said she, lesping from her chair and
springing toward my father at the back
side Of my chair, and kissing through her
teeth, "I'll teach you why am here"
T. My mother screamed and ran; my father
made an Intellectual attempt TO get out of the
way, but instantly yielded, resolved to take
what waited him: and / was ont of my seat
as quick as the bag, and as. she passed me
on her way TO grapple with my father,
struck herewith my fist a blow under the
ear, (which, but for her old cotton hood,
would have knocked her d6Yn; as it was it
staggered her, and gave me:time TO get the
chairs out Of the way and gather for q
fight.
She recovered, and looking at me for
moment. said, as if in a spiiloquy:
"0h, you choose to cross my path do your
Well, see ifIdon't settle You pretty. quickly"
and thrusting her hand into her CLOAK, made
motion as if she would draw a dagger.
The motion maddened' me- and il brought
foam to my lips.4 struck her half dozen
blows as quick as lighting. She let her
dagger 60, and clenched me. Her grip sat-
isfed me that had found my matcf, aye,
more, in strength, and that mLskill as a
boxer, and my most unparalleled ability as
a wrestler, must save me. / had learned
pugilism of a clever English teacher, and as
TO wrestling, to that day / had never been
thrown down. l knew when / felt the~g
that | was dealing with a man, but felt
that my father anu mother were relying on
me, and grew stronger as | before said.
We tusseled, grasped and let loose, struck
and p8rried, clenched Gnd,wrestled, till, after
various attempts we found ourselves TO what
Yfestlers call side hold.S got the under
arm, and lifted him for it was no longer
herl threw mylegt tdf91id his and turned
him. He fell on the floor Ike a log. / in
tended to break his bones but he unlocked
his CLOAK. (it1 had been nhbuckled in the
stIuggle) and leaped up like cat. ! struck
him before he was balanced, staggered him,
grappled him, my left hand into his THROAT,
and struck him again, called on my Iabther
tosopen the door and as she did So. pushed
apd kicked him out. He swore hesWould he
the death of me- | told him to take himself
out of the State, or would put the Sheriff on
his track, and shutting the door in his face,
walked to my father.
Now let your dOubters tell me how came
TO see this matter beiorehand-this hooded,
eloaked man, had seslsand heard his
threats to my father, aAd.sffuggled with him
in my dream before be came 10 the house,
snd-had awakened and left my bed, to gdSee
TO my fathers safety, and again 70 co9duer
linn in the kiehen. AllFfafnRin featufes Of
II occurrence became known before they
feQk place, and by the Impression they made
sple, enabled me, doubt not, to save my
4 life. Al-.s
stQIc,a SC, Aeyel, rs csieblated pianist,