The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-03-02


Little matters though the door s
Be A workhouse grave. ps
The Skeleton In the Well.
1t wasd4ring the year 1861. il the thri-
wing little town of Argentiere. near the foot
Of the Ceveapes Mountains, in France. The
day was charming. Many nf the inhabi-.
tants were traversing the highways, enjoy
ing the agreeableness of the weather. Among
the number there was a tall young man, ap
parently not more than twenty five years Of
age. In his right hapd he carried a cane,
and in his lef. e smail, carpet,bag. His gait
was quick, and from his expression he aps
peared to be bent upon some important
errand. Inthis manner he went along, oc.
casionally glancing around to view the sur
rounding objects. He had hardly gone more
than aquarter ola mile when he came to a
street. which was in the suburbs Of tbs
town. He turned and proceeded np this
Presently, after walking but short dis.
tance, he arrived at an inn. Here he hesi-
tated and after viewing the exterior, he
muttered to himself the following words:
/ ut is very singular that thisis the first
inn have seen throughout my route. How
ever, will put up here" =
So saying he entered the building. and
having registered his name. he was SHOWN
70 room. After ordering his dinner he
went into mis- apartment to rest himself-
His order was Immediately responded to.
and after eating he prepared to retire, in
intending to partake ofa long and hearty
sleep, SO that early the next morning he
might visit the various merchants of the
town. lie accordingly went to bed. and
was soon wrapt in sleep. While thus sleep.
ing he had dream that made the strong
est impression upon him. We will give it
as it fell from the lips Of the dreamer:
~ thought that had arrived at the
same. town, but in the middle of the even-
ing, which was really the case; that had
put up at the same inn, and gone irnmedi-
ately, as an unacquainted stranger would do.
in order to see Whatever was worthy of ob
servation in the place. walked down the
main street into another street apparently
leading into the country. had gone. no
great distance when came to church,
which sto ,ped to examine. After salts
tying my curiosity. advanced to by.path
which branched off from the main street.
Obeying .n impulse which could neither
account for nor control. struck, into this
path, though it Twas winding, rough, aud un.
frequented.- ana presently reached miser-
able cottage, in front Of which was gar
den covered with weeds. I had no difficulty
lin getting into the garden for the hedge had
several wide gaps iin it.. I approached au
old well that stood solitary and gloomy 10 q
distant corner; and looking down into il,
beheld, without any possibility Of ofmistake,
q corpse, which had been stabbed in several
places. counted the deep wounds and
vide gashes. There were six.y
At this moment ,he awoke With bis hair
on end, trembling in every limb, and cold
drops Of perspiratiou bedswing his forehead
]--svoke to end hiuself fcomforta5iy in bed
Ehis carpes.bag lying near him, and the NOR
ming sun beaming through his curtains.--
What, difference He sprang from hrs bed
dressed himself,i and as, il was yet early
sought an appetite aot breakfast by a morn
ling walk. He went accordingly into th'
street, and strolled along. Ths farther h
went the stronger became the confused re
collection Of the objects that presente,
themselves to his view. 4 $3.50. y
its very strange." said be to himself
81 have never been in this place before, ap,
. II could swear that I've sssn this house, an
, the next, and that other on the left." ~ ,
Onhe won't, till he came to the corner q
!. la street crossing the one down which be ha
) icome Before long he arrived at the churc
h with the architectural features that had a
e ttracted his notice in the dream and the
!. the .hish.road, along which he had. pursue
!. his way. coming AZ length to the same BY
{ path that had % lented itself to his mag
: nation few hours b.fore-theIsg was i /
!, = possibihty Dr. donbt Or mistake. Every tt
!. and every turn was familiar to him.
"a hurried fsrward, no longer houbting that u
next momers would. bring him to ehs e.
= e. t%a.8s s.tssosstTsI sefs ~ =