The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-05-09
PREEIorsITIoW,
A TALE OF THE SOUTH.


In the year 1920, when the present State
of Alabama was comparative wilderness, a
gentleman BY the name ai Saunders came
from a neighboring State into ore OF its
eastern counties, in quest Of place oi set
dement,. lie was well dressed aud well
mounted, and travelled anne.
At the close of fatigaing days ride, he
stopped at house of entertainment, which
was the nucleus or central paint Of strag-
Cling backwoods village. containing some
fifteen or twenty inhabitants. The host was
a grim. sour.yissged man, with small, slnis-
ter looking eyes, which twinkled llEe barn.
ing points between the heavy lringe Of the
pointed eyebrows. The tavern building
state BY the workmen. and looked raiaOus
aud old for the want OF paint and repairs.
On entering the bdr.room, which was
dingy. half-lighted apartment, Mr. Saunders
found few men. very ordinary, in bath
dress and appearance, relating to each other
the gossip and news Of the neighbnrhood.
lie seated himself in their midst, and
awaited in silence the announcement Of
supper.
After eating hearty meal, feeling both
fatigued and drowsy. he requested to be con-
Quoted TO his raum. The landlord, tak.ng
lamp IN one hand and the saddle-bags of the
traveller in the other, went out Of the bar
room into the yard, requesting Mr.. Saunders
TO follow after him.
At the extreme end Of the tavern building
they ascended flight Of rude steps to an
upper story. Entering narrow, dark pas
sage, Mr.. Saunders was shown into a small.
uncomfortable room. furnished with bed. q
chair, and small table. The. landlord par
his lamp on the table, bade his guest good
night, and Immediately retired.
As the door II the room was without lock
or fastening of any kind, Mr.. Saunders
placed the table aud chair against IT, blew
out the light aud lay down.
Overcome with fatigue aud droWs!ness. be
soon fell asleep. but almost immediately
awoke quiyering in every limb. and IN .
state Of extreme mental perturbation. Tie
had dreamed vivid aud most !rishtial
dream.
In his vision he saw a man, grim and dark.
ascending the outer steps Of The passage
which led to his room. He burg iene gilt
tering knife in his hand, anl came " the
steps with slow and silent tread. ~ mt
Of him feeling of apprehension present
imeEt that danger was nigh-came over ibe
dreamer. lie sprang out at his btd. opened
his door. and stepped ont into tive passage.
Opposite 70 his room he saw another ,iour,
through which he fs!t impeIled 10 seek an
escare. Openiug il, he saw haie IN tbe
middle Of the foUr over which he saw the
timbers OF bedstead were extended. the
cord hanging down to the anur beneath. A.
he was in Tie act NJ sei1'Bg this fo le. himself
down, lie az 0ke and found ]; all dream. le
was still 10 bed. and the chair and table re,
manned in the same pusitioa 10 which be hdd
placed them against the duor.
After revolving the dream in lis mind car
A few moments, his nerves became quiet anI
he again fell asleep. dreaming ths nlenueai
dream over, awoke. as before, trembling aud
alirighied.
III got up nu, Of bed. removed the chair
and table from the tIaur, aud on opening II
saw, what he had faticd 10 observe before,
that there was another dcpr close shut, upP9-
size TO his room.
The full moon bad risen and liz up thc
passage and upper rooms Of tie inn. With the
radiance almost 81 udyt CuFiusltN anu b5c
excitement Of his dream prompting. he step.
ped across the passage aud gave The opposite
DIOR gentle push with his hand: It ilrw
wide open, aud displayed TO the gaze ei the
now startled Traveller tie very objects ani
arrangements lie had seen ia hi dream. In
the middle of the runm t'tere was large
hole. made by tue removal Of shurt pieces Of
plank. across il lay the uncor'leA timbers vt
a bed,,cad, which suspended a stout rope,
that reached almost tn the iIo1r below.
Thoroughly alarmed by this literal aud
nttprly unexplained seFiiicsljaa oi bis dream,
Mr. saunders retufacd 10 his own room.
dressed himself in great haste, and with his
saddle bars thrown owes hisarm, stepped out
upun the pla;lorm at the head Of the stair
.ieps. III intention was leave the tavern,
and. IL possible, got lodging l1r ihc night at
a re.nrciable looking house he bad passed on
ihc outskirts ii tic village. fhe urxt morn.
iur he could send for his horse and pay his
bil by messenger, aud thus avoid eSplana-
,iun which might prove very unpleasant both
- the landlord aud 10 himself