Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-01-26
AN INCIDENT
OF THE
MINNESOTA WAR.
tsocts for Philosophers and ClairvOyants
10 CritIcise and Explain.


Having heard and read much of the beneficial
effects of the pure air of Minnesota on persons
suffering frem diseased lungs, adopted the qd, "a,
yica of nv physieians, and left Boston on the IS.
Of August, 1862, for a few weeks visit TO 81 faul
the so-called "Cty of Health"
Arriving in Albany, N. Y, late in the after
noon, at once resolved to stop over in the city
twelve hours, rather than endure the fatigue OF
a nights ride in the cars.
Oh the following morning, took an early walk
for the purpose of viewing n sunrise from Capt.
tol Hill, md just Us | had turned to retrace my
steps TO the hotel, was accosted by hne-look-
ing foreigner of about twenty-eieht years OF age
leading by the hand a lovely little girl OF nine
summers. There was something 80 striking and
touching in the tout ensemble of the two-man
and child, as they stood before me-that before
word could be spoken, had noticed and record
ed in my mind the physical peculiarites OF each
That the reader may share with me these impress
sions, here transcribe the reeord..p
The man stood about five feet ten inches in
height, weighing, perhaps, one hundred and
eighty or ninety pounds was straight as an ar
row wore Prusssian louaye cap, the Vllor Of
which shaded heavy projecting brow, and two
larae blue eyes, that seemed to struggle between
an EXPRESSION of atIectiouate milduess, and the
dare devil glance of the widest intrepidty. The
mouth was large, but we'll formed, and filled
with small, white and we'll set teeth. The chin
was large, slightly projecting; the cheeks full,
but without color; and the hair was light, al
most d flaxen brown. So completely made up
OF oppOsites was the man before me, that he
would have passed before jury without inter
rogation, either for leading exhorter among
the meek and lowly Methodists, or the captain
of n hand of athletes about to scale Mount
Vesuyius merely for the love Of excitement and
danger ,,
There was something 10 the face Of the child
TINT plainly denoted q strong resemblance to the
man, aud yet it wore the sweetest, purest, and
most heavenly expression, which 1t has ever been
nv fortune to behold The eyes were large, OF
q melting, watery blue, and seemed as II made
for the windows of an angels soul The hair
was long, of cream-s0Ate tint slightly wavy,
fine as the softest silk and as she moved in the
fresh morning air, it seemed to change in hue,
as do the heads of ripened grain when stirred by
the refreshing breeze in midday.
was at first greatly astonshed by being so
suddenly accosted by strange man bnt my
emotions quickly changed TO deep, passionate
admiration for the lovely child, and l involun-
tarily put out my hand, and greeted the stranger
with the compliments of the morning
He replied to my salutation in broken German
accents, but with that dignified politeness which
| proved ut once that be had had the advantages
of education aud refined society.
"You are on your way to ST. Paul, l believe,
he exclaimed with slight bow and pleasant
smile.
al am but how did you know it ~
81 will explain that shortly" with another
| smile;) "but first allow me to present TO you my
daughter, Maria"
| clasped the little hand within my own, and at
once experienced IL thrill-tho like TO which l
before was an entire stranger Mithout me
slightest difideucc bul yet with an air OF cultl-
yated, refiued modesty the little angel exclaimed
in the purest English
"Father and are strangers in America, and
have vet fifteen hundred miles - travel before
finding any of our friends. We have been in
formed by the spirit of my sainted mother, thai
YOU, who arc kind-hearted gentleman, are
going to nearly the same place where our trlendi
reside, and will take pleasure in guiding us OF
our long journey"
bent down and kissed the sweet little face
as would have kissed my own sister, anC
repied
:. have no faith in spirit raps or communica
TONS but it will afford me pleasure to assist yo'
on YOUR Journey, and, if possible, to deliver yoI
safely to your friends.
The man quickly turned to his daughter, an
with evident pleasure exclaimed
.. The pery ic0rds you said ne would use "
Then turning to me he continued apolOget
: cally:
al see, sir, that you are not believer in spii
it philosophy, aud that We excite your P"y ra'n!
than your sympathy; but as have faith !
your heart and your honor, if you will acceI
it, l will give you proof Of my conhdenc
by relating the leading incidents Of my lit
which will fully explain how and why we th
morning become the recipients of your kline
O ness"
e Proceeding with my new friends to their hOt'
IS an unpreteudng building kept by an
y y German-we seated ourselves in private roor
D. and listened with great interest and wonder
the following narrative. l relate the story fro
memory as near as possible in the exact ianeua
used by the narrator.
"My name is Jacob Vandervers. was 90
in Franfort-on- the Main, that little disputed ~
ironically designated free territory, because 1t
oyerned and ruled by the despotie will OF Az
s ian aud Prussian soldiers, and Rhine-derm