The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1872-03-13
From the New York Weekly
A Rem arkable Dream.

Few there are Of the sometime reside nts
of the city of New York who do not re-
member those days Of public and private
agony. in October. 1854, when the Collins
steamship Arctic was overdue and supposed
to be lost ut sea. 1t was favorite line and
vessel. and on board we're persons of the
highest Social standing. Consequently the
.ame of the Arctic was on every lip. aud
while the friends of those on board were
oppressed with the most terrible apprehen-
sions, the public mind generally was
scarcely less excited.
The Collins vessels were SO regular that
merchants timed the delivery of the mails
almos; to al hour. and when day after day
SHse s.s. 49, ;.her the veSsri nor any
-tnIis:s-u ra,..o,v hurei, .tie iovl.. tu
came deeper. Strange to relate, one of the
most desponding was Mr.. E. X. Collins, the
manager of the line, and the person after
whom it was named. The crowds who
focked to the Office to question him. and
who naturally expected to see him full of
hope, found him pale. disputed, and often
in tears. His wife and twd children were on
board, but it was thought that his confidence
in the staunchness of the vessels, and the
seamanship of those in charge of them,
would make him treat the matter in totally
differen; spirit from what he did. Much
surprise was expressed, but the actual
reason for this great depression was at that
time known only to a few of his relatives
and most intimate friends. 1t arose, in
truth, from dream, which left an impression
beyond his power to overcome. and which in
the end was verified in every particular.
A number of the directors and various
merchants were assembled in the private
Office of the company on Monday afternoon.
The vessel was then some two days over
due, having been expected on the previous
Saturday evening. At the time Mr.. Collins
lived at a magnificent residence in West
chester county, and had renamed in town
over Sunday. to receive his family on the ar
rival of the steamer. Hespent Saturday at
the house of his brother. and on Sunday
morning came down to the breakfast table
so haggard that it attracted attention. When
spoken to about it he frankly stated that he
had passed restless night. broken by a
dream that the Arctic was lost. The mat
ter was laughed at by the brother, but when
Monday morning Game without the vessel
having been reported, MIR. Collins again
spoke of his dream. During Monday he
of the assemblage in the private office it was
told over again-with am injunction Of
secrecy, however, which prevented it from
reaching the public. AS one after another
came into the Office, they were painfully
impressed with the glaf1p which was pic
man. Of erect stat ked dig 'ity of
manners, he did Y a person who
would give way is fears on any
occasion. B2t1 pre- quiet than
usual 4; Rm those in
s. .sepx a death
ana pretty wen ihiq collins said
new AZ by % FED
and 10 feet hn,.
- rooms, and 9th niiurPn are on
boa fntly shaded wi bne, in reply.
Yes pr;ns ~ Is i'ta ta +; but there
is no occasloa for ase The ship is a
staunch one. and ..Tthfa a few hours, at
most, will, think, come gallantly to her
wharf"
"Never. F." said deep. solemn voice.
All gave a slight start at the tone and
words, and turned in the direction whence
they proceeded. The speaker was Mr.. COL
Inns himself.
in the same solemn manner, "that the
Arctic has gone to the bottom"
Impossible" cried all.
II am quite astonished at that opinion"
said Mr.. james Brown, prominent director.
Collins. the superior construction of the
the officers and crew in charge Of the
Arctic"
Amy vessel may be lost" said Mr.. Col
Inns and while am satisfied that. as di.
reetors and public servants. We have done
all that human beings could do in the prem
,ses, still l believe the Arctic to be lost.
May good God have protected those on
board
Here his VOICE failed him, and his eyes
we're suffused with tears. With his thoughts
far out on the broad. dangerous ocean. he
had seen the faces of his wife and children
among those helpless ones, and for the mo-
ment he could say no more.
The scene Was affecting in the extreme.
and perhaps never had its equal in any
counting room in tho world. For some time
there was entire silence, and then Mr..
Brown remarked:
Mr.. Collins, you must have some good
reason for your opinion"
..None in the world" returned Mr.. Col
Inns, "except DREAM
IA dream! repeated Ane and another.
in establishment.
Ali sneered, and some almost laughed
aloud. - -
..Gentlemen," said Mr.. Collins. with a
dignity which was peculiarly impressive in
him. gentlemen. you no douAs regard this
as q great weakuees. Perhaps il Is. Dreams
are generally regarded as foolish things. but
| have had one under such circumstances
that it has become to me presentiment of
evil to this ship, which no power on earth
can remove"
Every man there listened with his ears
wide open. and looked full in the face of the
usually strong minded man. who spoke these
words so seriously and impressIvely.
Last Saturday night" continued Mr..
Collins, ." dreamed of the Arctic. saw
her as perfectly before me as ever saw
her. l: was her graceful model. her spa
cious decks and her noble officers and crew.
law all this, and more. saw hole in
her side; there was panic ON her decks
people were running hither and tbither, and
crying to be saved; and. sirs, saw tha,
noble ship 60 down."
But all this was Dream" said Mr..
Brown. after moment.
II believe it reality" replied Mr.. Col
Inns. " and again l say may Heaven have
protected these poor souls on board. How.
ever. beg that neither my DIRE m nor con-
victions may reach the public"
Soon after the merchants went their seve'