The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-06-27


tongue Glove to the roof Of my
mouth. At this moment awoke
with my hair standing on end, srem.
bling 10 every limb, and cold dropa
Of Precipitation bedewed my fore.
head-awoke to find myself comfort
ably in bed, my trunk standing be-
aide me; birds warbl,ng cheerfully
near the window, whilst q clear
young voice was singing q provinc.
ial air in the next room, and the
morning sun was shining brightly
through the curtains.
sprang from my bed, dressed
myself and, as it was yet very early,
| thought / would seek an appetite
for my breakfast by morning walk.
| went accordingly into the street
and strolled along. The farther l
went the stronger became the con-
fused recollection Of the objects
that presented themselves to my
view. at is very sti ange, thought
l.; have never been here before,
and could swear that l have seen
this house, and the next, and the
one on the LETT" On went till
had crossed the corner OF a street
crossing the one down which had
come. For the first time | had re.
,nembered my dream, but put away
the thoughts as too absurd; still. at
every step took, some fresh point
Of resemblance struck me. "Am
still dreamingi" l exclaimed, no,
without momentary thrill through
my whole frame. ia the agree.
ment to be perfect to the very end2"
Before long | reached the church
with the same architectural features
that ha attracted my notice in the
dream, and then the high road along
which | pursued my way, coming
at length to the Same by path that
bad presented itself TO my imagina.
tion a few hours before--there was
no possibility OF doubt or mistake
Every tree, every turn was familiar
to mo. ! was not at all OF q super
stitious turn. and was wholly en-
crossed in the practical details OF
commercial business. My mind has
never dwelt upon the hallucina.
tions, the presentiments, that science
either denies or is unable to explain;
but must confess that now felt
myself spell. bound as by some en-
chsntnent--and with Pascal's words
upon my lips, "A continued dream
would be equal to reality" ! hur-
ried forward, no longer doubling that.
the next moment would bring me to
the cottage, and this was really the
case. In sll its outward circum.
stances it corrssponded TO what I
had seen in my dreams. Who then
conld wonder that determined to
ascertain whether the coincidence
would hold good in every point. I
entered the garden and went direct
to the spot where | had seen the well;
but hero the resemblance failed--
wei, there was none. | looked in
every direction, examined tho whole
garden, went round the cottage,
which appeared to be inhabited, al
though no person was visible, but
nowhere could | find any vsstIge of
q we'll.
i made no attempt to enter tho
cottage, bot hastened back to the bo.
tel in state Of agitation difficult
to describe; could not make up my
mind to pass unnoticed such an en-
traordinary coincidence - but how
was any clue to be obtained to the
terrible mystery.
went to the landlord, and after
chatting for some time on differ.
ent subjects, came to the point,
and asked him directly, to whom tho
cottage belonged, that was on Q by.
road which | described to him.
II wonder SIR" said he, "what
made you take such particular no
tice OF such wretched little hovel.
1t is inhabited by an old man with
his vile, who have the character OF
being very morose and unsociable.
They rarely leave the house, sec no.
body. and nobody goes to see them;
but they are quiet enough, and nev.
er heard anything against them DO,
yond this. Of late, their very ex-
istence seems t) have been forgot
ten; and | believe, sir, that you are
the first who, for years, have turned
yonr steps to the deserted spot"
These details, far from satisfying
my curiosity did but prove it the
more. Breakfast was served, but |
could not touch it, and | felt that il
| presented myself to the merchants
in such q state OF excitement they
wouId think ire mad; and, indeed,
felt very much excited. paced up
and down the room, looked out at
the window, trying to fix my atten'
tion on somo external object, but in
vain. | endesvored to interest my.
selfin quarrel between two men in
The street--but the garden and tho
cottage pre.occupied my MUD; and
at last snstching my hat, erie, II
will 60, come what may"
| repaired to the nearest msgis.
trate, told him the object Of my visit,
and related the whole circumstance,
briefly and clearly. | saw directly
that he was much impressed by tho
ct itement.