The Republican journal., 1869-10-21

his look Of wonder and surprise for his usual
knowing expression, he added, Il heard
they was arter him; but didn't know they'd
cotchcd him YETI
Among my fathers friends and patients
was 4 certain Captain Porter, genNeman by
birth and education, cmincntly handsome and
elegant, but whose mind was permanently
thrown oft its balance by an unfortunate love
affair. They must have loved hard, us they
fought and prayed, III those gallant old Puri-
| tanc times.
During an illness, Captain Porter was af-
f1lctcd by peculiar form of insanity-an in
satiable verbal furor; a mania for naming
everything he had ever seen, heard, or CON
ccivcd Of in heaven, earth, or the waters I'M
der the earth. This continued without inter
mission day and night until all his attendants
Were exhausted, and he himself seemed al
most at his last gasp. Finally, my father
prevailed upon him to give his word of honor
thai he would say no more but would try to
rest and let others rest.
lie did lie perfectly quiet for the space of
about two minutes. Then he started up in
eager excitement, crying: ''Doctor! oh
Doctor, do give me leave to say two things
only two. | forgot them; but when I've
mentioned them all creation will be finished
up. Then I'll be still. They are Tubal Cain
and Captain Trumbulls old red mill'
After this the poor fellow was really quiet
and soon slept.
Had my father lived to read Leaves of
Grass | have an idea that he would have
been reminded of his old friend, the Captain
who was before the Good Gray Poet in
eataloguing all creation.
Another patient Of my father u beloved
friend and a noble and good nr,n, Captain
Hubbard button, whose mind was somewhat
affected by a long illness, once gave a curl
Gus example of clairNoyance or the prophetic
faculty.
One morning, when not considered serious
ly i'll, he fixed the time Of his death Ii was
to occur that day ut two o'clock D. m but
before that event, he said, at noon precisely
there would arrive ut the village inn some
travellers, two gentlemen and two ladies
from the South, in i handsome coach driver
by black man in livery, and drawn by q
pair Of perfectly white horses This convic-
ton, though solcmnly expressed, was no.
much needed, until the eqllpage 50 minutely
described and anXiously looked for by the
sick man, appeared lust 1t the time prophesi
ed. 1t was the travelling carriage of Il fam
ly from the South. and contained lust the par
ty named.
Then the friends Of the invalid became
alarmed, especially rs from the moment OF
the iufillment OF the first part Of his predc,
ton he took to his bed and was evidently
sinking. While he was engaged in SAYING
his last words to his friends and neighbors,
my father managed to circumvent him by
quietly putting forward the clock. 50 when
the hour he had set for his own demise had
arrived, and he family asked, Is my time
up" evidently getting ready to close his
eyes and fold his hands, my father laughed
and pointed to the clock, which showed al
most IN hour later. The patient himself
smiled, and resigned himself to live, and did
live many years. But my father always be
lieved that but for his little ruse the poor
man would actually have died to prove him
self 4 true prophet.
Was this case of genuine second sight,
OF was ii I'LL crazy fancy, accident. coinci-
dencc? If it was supernatural intelligence,
whence and for what purpose was it sent ?
The tniling toretoih incidents proving true
almost necesstated n tragic event. Is it, as
poor BanquO once remarked, that
4 ''oftentimeS, TO win Us TO oiIr harm.
The instruments oflalkncs4 tell s truths.
\ Win us with honest iriirS to betray US
In deepest consequence"