Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-09-29
Raj eigh, NO, September 80, 1862.

united them to each other; on certain
occasion when Walton was trying to break
a young horse, John saved his employers
life at the hazard Of bis own. Notwith-
standing the reserve of Cummings char
acter, Walton possessed the art of unlock
ing his heart. His children were extremely
fond of the old man. The little creatures
cambered upon his knees, stroked bis sun
burned cheeks, and his long arm brought
many sweet fruit from the trees In return
for their caresses; the eldest boy often
accompanied him in his excursions over
the farm, to see the cattle and the horses,
and to fish in the little brook. In short,
Cummings was treated rather as mem
Der of the family than hired man.
A singular and fearful occurrence at
last disturbed the quiet harmony that pre-
vailed in this happy family. Mrs. Wal
ton was awakened one night by the loud
groans of her husband. She saw him
start up in bed, his whole frame trembling
with terror, and he remained for some mo-
ments disturbed by the most fearful agita-
ton. At last, he seemed to grow some
what calmer; he gazed anxiously around
him, and exclaimed, Heaven be praised,
it was only dream! He still trembled
violently, however, and after having in vain
endesvored to compose himself, he rose
and walked back and forth, in the cham
Der.
at was only Dream" he repeated in
low tones, but how terribly, how fright
fully vivid?' He raised the window,
lovely June night lay outspread over the
slumberlng landscape; nature was hushed
in the deepest repose; the stars shone like
heavenly sentinels in the cloudless irma-
ment, and not leaf stirred in the dense
forest that clothed the surrounding hills.
A dew drop fell from the honey suckle,
which shaded the window with its tangled
branches, and Walton felt his soul calmed
at last, by the refreshing quiet Of the scene.
He slept but little more however, rose at
dawn and endeavored to Danish the i'm
f preston of his fearful dream, but in vain.
} The tolls and pleasures, of the day, the
: buoyancy of his own happy temperament,
a were unable to drive it from his memory,
: he was indignant at himself, that mere
E visisn could thus torment him, and he en-
| deavored to soothe his mind by the adiIuo-
= nitions of reason. But it was useless the
s images which had appeared to him in his
4 dream pursued him with strange pertina-
s city. He turned a deaf ear to bis wife,
s whose curiosity was naturally excited by
9 the singularity of his conduct, and refused
|. to explain the cause of his violent sgita--
i ton.
It "For why should alarm your soul with
!. images Of terror" he said, sit would then
: be SO much the harder for me to Danish
e them from my mind, and I wish to do this
n as speedily as possible. Let US not waste
If a word more on the subject"
< A week passed by. Walton had kept
s. true to his purpose, and the impression Of
@ his dream had lost somewhat of its
d strength and terror, when it was repeated
d in its most minute details; the variou.
,r particulars were not changed in the sligh
e. test point the entire scene rose again be
e, fore his eyes, with the most vivid and stri-
i king distinctness. More deeply agitatet
ds even than on the former occasion, he n,
e, longer hesited to relate his singular dream
o. to his anxious wife, and by this disclosur
or to relieve his own heart of at least par
ad of its burden. .....
ed 1t is so remarkable" he cried, " tha
py this dream is entirely free from the slight
sc est confusion and indistinctness, every oh
us ect and every incident stand forth q
he clearly and definitely, as if all were reality
To- dreamed that on clear, beautiful, an
ad quiet night, l was walking along narro,
OF path, enclosed on each side by gree
K hedge, few miles from the village. Th
Tor moon was shining brightly, and at last
ell reached spot where the path turned int
&c. the broad high road A large oak hel
r. spread it's knotted branches above tt
I'm green sward, and at little distance fov
ed ed a small brook, across which sing
la plank was threwninstead of bridge; a
rec old gray ash tree, half stripped of j
ge, branches, hung over it. As stood ther
ice watching the bright moon beams as ths
he were mirrored in the clear brook, sa
icy two forms step slowly and silently fro
err that part of the path which lay in Il
ou- shadow. The one was clad in sailor
Sc dress, which was neat and clean, as if
md were his Sunday suit; the other wore
ent carriers frock and stout shoes, like plo,
m man Just returning from his labor. A
rful though l did not hear the sound of the
vas voices, yet their gestures were extreme
of animated, and on the part of the latter,
lis least, violent aud threatening. A Graf
= and selfcomplacent smile played about t
nd features of the sailor. Both stopped f
ex- moment beneath the oak {; the gesture
the plowman grew more and more men
lrds cling. At last he Suddenly seized the sail
tire hnrleI him to the nrnnnd clntchad = h