The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-12-24
GRAN DFATHER'S DREAM.
by NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.

you last nigntl WDere were you CIar-
lev, and dear little Alice? You had
all gone to rest, and left old Grand
father to mediate alone in his great
Chair. The lamp had grown so dim
that its light hardly illuminated the
alabaster shade. The wood fire had
crumbled iuto heavy embers, among
which the little flames danced and
quivered and sported about like FAIRIES.
And here sat Grandfather, all by
himself He knew that it was bed
time; yet he could not help longing
to hear your merry voices, or to hold
comfortable chat with some old
friend because then his pillow would
he visited by pleasant dreams. But, as
neither children nor friends were at
hand, Grandfather leaned back in the
the great chair, and closed his eyes,
for the sake of meditating more pro-
foundly. 3 --
Aud when Grandfather's medita.
tions had grown very profound indeed,
he fancied that he heard sound over
his head, as if somebody were prepar-
ing to speak. Ets
"Hem !" it said, in dry husky tone.
"H -e-m Hem! ~
As Grandfather did not know that
any person was in the room, he started
up in great surprise, aud peeped hither
and thither, behind the chair, and into
the recess by the fireside, and at the
dark nook yonder near the bookcase.
Nobody could he see.
"Poh !" said Grandfather to himself,
"I must have been dreaming"
But, just as he was going to resume
his seat, Grandfather happened to
look at the great chair. The rays of
freight were Pickering upon it in such
a manner that it really seemed IS if
its oaken frame were all alive. Whatl
did it not move its elbow? There, TOO
it certainly lifted one of its ponderous
fore-legs, as if it had notion of draw
ing itself little nearer to the fire.
Meanwhile the lions head nodded at
Grandfather with as polite and socia-
bic look. as lions visage, carved in
oak, couli possibly be expected to as
sumo. We'll, this is strange!
Good evening, my old friend," said
the dry and husky voice, now little
clearer than before. "We have been
intimately acquainted so long that
think it high time we have chat to-
, gether."
G Grandfather was looking strai ght al
the lions head, and could not be mis-.
taken in supposing that it moved it,
lips. So here the mystery was all ex'
planned.
81 was not aware" said Grandfather
with q civil salutation to his oaker
companion, "that you possessed thu
faculty of speech. Otherwise | shoulC
have been glad to converse with sucl
a solid, useful, and substantial, if no
= brilliant, member of society"
"O!' replied the ancient chair, in
p quiet and easy tone, for it had nov
i cleared its throat OF the dust of ages
81 am naturally silent and incommu
nicative sort of character. Once o
twice in the course Of century | un
close nv lips. When the gontle Lad
Arbella departed this life uttered
groan. When the honest mintmaste
weighed his plump daughter agains
the pine-tree shillings, / chuckled audi
bly, at the joke. When cid Simo
Bradstreet took the place of the ty
rant Andres l joined in the genera
huzza, and capered on my wooden leg
for Joy. TO be sure, the bystander
were so fully occupied with their ow
feelings that my sympathy was quit
unnoticed.
"And have you often held privat
C. chat with your friends? p asked Granc
N father. --.
le "Nnt often" answered the chair. I"
r. once talked with Sir William Phippi
of and communicated my ideas about th
witchcraft delusiUn. Cotton Mathe
had several conversations with M
and derived great benefit from my hi
n torical "reminiscences. In the days I
K the Stamp Act, l whispered in the ca
of Hutchinson, bidding him 20 remen
ber what stock his countrymen wei
descended of, and to think whetht
the spirit Of their fOrefathers bad u
lerly departed from them. The la
man whom | favored with a col!Oqu
ID was that stout old Republican, San
uel Adams"
"And how happens it," inquire
Grandfather, "that there is no recor
), nor tradition of yonr conversations
abilities? 1t is an uncommon thin
,b to meet with chair that can talk"
h. "Why, to tell you the truth" sal
h. the chair giving itself hitch nearer
the hearth. 81 am not apt To choO
the most suitable moments for unclO
3, ing my lips. Sometimes have incoI