, 1861-07-04
The somnambulist's Dream.


executor to Smiths will" said our major, the
other day, as We were l1ungng together against
the low wall that divides Carlisle Terrace from
the beach. "I'll venture to say the trusts com
mitted to him won't be as strange as mine were
the first time | was made executor.
"SOme years since, | received q letter from
my old friend and comrade, Ellis, Of the --th,
telling me that his health had been for some time
declining, that he was about to make his will,
and earnestly desiring that would consent to
act as his sole executor, there being, he added,
q trust Of some importance to be undertaken,
which wish to confide to no one but yourself
The letter concluded with cordial invitation to
pay him visit at the snug cottage in Devonshire,
to which he had retired Now, Ellis was, like
myself an old bachelor; and, except his hOlEpay,
was, Tknew, but little burlcned with this worlds
baggage and accoutremcnts, so it never occurred
to tue that the trust | was to undertake could
possibly relate to anything more important than
the bestOwal Of legaces on his old housekeeper
and butler, or his almost equally antquatcd cat
and dog. | wrote Immediately to accept the in.
vtatiOn, and, carly next morning, | deposited
myself and my portmantean IN the E coach,
which, after n days travelling, left me at my
friends abode. lie was himself standing at the
garden wicket, ready to give me cordial wei.
come There was nothing very death.lke in the
clear, bright glance Of his eye, or in the firm
grasp Of his hand and I wondered internally
what the missive he had sent me could possibly
mean. However, kept my thoughts to myself,
and followed Ellis into his neat little dining
rOom where the snowy table.cloth was speedily
and satisfactorily covered with bOuntiiu rcpast.
Ample Justice was done to the fare by myself,
and, despite his mortuary intention, by mine
host also Alter dinner, c produced capital
bottle Of port, over which we discussed many Of
l..
Notwithstanding the excellence Of the
weather Gt was in the beginning of June) I
had caught slight cold on my journey, which,
towards the close Of the evening, made itself felt
in the very unpleasant form Of toOthache: and
the main becoming worse, | said to my host, L
think must ask yonr housekeepcr tonight for
some flannel and camphorAted spirits to apply
to nv unfortunate. jaw. You, happy fellow!
can't know what tOothache is, your teeth look
"Tecthl" cried my host, his countenance
changing: "teeth!" he repeated, shuddering:
An, yon little know-you can't tell"
What Is the matter, Eis-what do you
mcar?"
81 moan that tooth-an unfortunate tooth--
has hcpn nv ruin, and will cost me my life!"
And rising from his chair, he paced up and down
the room in state of most violent agitation.
Greatly astonished, tried, Of course, to soothc
him. and induce him to reveal the cause Of this
strange excitement.
"WrI," he said at last az will read for YOU
the will to which YOU have kindly promised to
become executor" had made M promise Of
the kind, hut my poor friend took It for granted
hai done 50; and leaving the room, he speed.
ily returned with folded paper in one hand,
and very small round hox in the other.
Laving these articles on the table. he seated
himself in his armchair, pushed aside his glass,
and, making strong effnrt to speak calmly, be-
gan: "Ahout two months since, I had 6cca-
sion to visit the town Of r, on business,
which having speedily despatched, I dned at
the hotel, and afterwards set out for a stroll.
passed through the High Street, and walked for
some way along the turnpike road without meet
ing any object Of interest whatever. A shady
green lane, opening on NV right invited me to
turn into 1.-THE fragrant hawthorn in the hedge,
and the cool fresh grass below, offering q pleas.
ant contrast to the hard dusty road on which I
had hecn walking. soon found that this quiet
lane led tn still more quiet and peaceful church.
yard; and treading my way amongst the rustic
graves and rude headstones, moralzed on them
after m~ own fashion. u not precisely according
To that Of Harvey. ! had at one time tran.
sicnt fancy for the study of phrenologv and still
retained habit Of inspecting the cerebral devel-
opments Of every one whom I met. II was.
therefore, with some curiosity that picked up
a large, round, well.bleached skull lying on the
ground. What particularly interested me, how
ever, was the great beauty and regularity Of the
teeth; thev were all perfect, and as evenly
ranged as if they had been prepared to decorate
the window Of some advertising dentist. Led
by an idle impulse. which could not then, nor
can now, account sor, pulled out one Of the
grinders, put Il into my waistcoAt pocket, and,
arola INun fho cl md 10
the inn. Having partakcn Of tea, accomnanied
by some excellent mullins, went to bod, aud
being fatigucd with my journey. soon fell asleep.
al had slept for some time. but how long I
cannot tell, when ] was suddenly awakened bv
the door Of nv room opening. In Stalked tall
figure dressed in black, with = white ncckclOth
his head was large. nearly bald and he wore a
pair Of gold spectaclcs. In his hand he carried
a silver candlestick hearing lighted candle, and
advancing to my bedside, said in menacing /,
voice and manner:
%'Why did you rob me Of my toothY
"My tongue suddenly became paralyZcd;
tried to speak, but could not utter a word.
"'You have taken my TOOTH continued The !
figure 'an1 now take your choice. I'm not Of
a revengefn disposition don't want to say or
do anything unc;vil, hut one Of two things
must have and that Instantly your life or the .
best tooth in your head! So look sharp, and
take your choice |
The extremity Of terror restored my voice.
Would it not do, sir, to restore you your !
own tooth againT gasped.
"'No, MOI replied my visitor shaking his
head until the gold spectacles slipped down to
the very point Of his long nose q think am a
very good,hatured fellow to give you the choice
50 which will you part with your life or your
toothT
AN tooth" I exclaimed in agony; and
instantly the apparitiOn, with as much dexterity .
a. if he had been 4 bred dentist, introduced
Iorceps into my mouth, aRd neatly extracted
fine, sound, m0lar tooth. Look here, contin. .
ned Ellis, opening his mouth, see the cavity ii
has lrA.'