Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1873-04-26
Aunt Merty's Dream.

/ had been discussed some one having touched
on the subject of dreams, We asked aun; Mercy
/ If she believed in them.
"I don't know as do as general thing,
though l 'spOse I ought, for | dreamed once
had saved fellow creatures life and prevented
an innocent man from being hung" was her
answer.
We knew then that she had story to tell,
and, though persons could tell narrative bet
ter than she, no one was more eagerly listened
to than aunt Mercy. Knowing that we desired
to hear the full particulars, without waiting
to be coaxed, she commenced her strange story
g. It's many a year ago it all Happened, for |
was young then and somewhat siddy, believ-
ing had only to take my pick out Of all the
Young fellows who were always lowering
around NE. | saw that John Trask was fond
of me, aud used to vex him more than |
ought to have done but be emed to take it
all in good part, and never thought less OF me.
/ He worked Up at the great house for old Marx
]
| gether, they almost always had some quarrel,
yet it never broke out so terribly as it did one
late spring afternoon, and then John became
so enraged that be actually swore at old Mark.
/ That very night | was to 20 to party. with
/ Johu for my escort but when | heard how
| be had been going on refused 70 let him go
with me. could forgive his quarreling.
though a swearing man never could abide.
told him that had done with him from that
time forth lwent to the party alone aud
John never came the whole evening.
When it came to breaking-up time the
girls had all beauxs to see them home, but |
resolved to 60 by myself. It was moonlight
night and wasn't afraid really wanted to
be alone, and thought John might meet me,
aad We could make up and be friends again.
l walked on aud on, and had come to the
middle of the woods that led to the old Marks
house, when stopped and almost tainted, for
| saw such sight that it almost made my
blood run cold. There was Mark Stone lying
dead on the ground, and beside him stopped
the figure Of a man who had his back TO me.
| scarcely dared to move lest the murderer
should seek also to kill me, who was the wit
ness Of his guilty deed. knew not W at to
do. / Just stood and trembled, fearing by the
least motion 10 draw the mans attention to me.
But with all my fright | couldn't keep my
eyes frou the dead man and the one who had
killed bim--it seemed Just like what I've read
Of people being fascinated by a serpent. Then
the wonder came to me as to who the man was
when he raised his face toward where l was
though he could not see me, for had hidden
behind some trees and there beheld the coun-
teuaace of him whom | never suspected. 1t
was Ohm TFask
8" forgot no had be3n my lover, forgot the
many kind words he had said to ne, and the
loving deeds he had performed; that was all
gone by then. In my eyes he was naught buta
murderer, with blood on his hands and Grim
son crime upon bis soul. | forgot my fear too,
for took another path aud rushed with all
ny might to the great house awoke the
servants and told them that their master was
murdered that the murderer was John TraSk,
for had seen him drawing bloody knife
from the CID mans body. At first they
thought my senses had left me and that | had
become insane, but when they went to the old
mans room aud found it tenantless, they were
more willing to pay heed to my words. led
them to the place where the murder had been
committed, and there we found Joha Trask
still near the corpse. The men at once secured
him, while the others carried the dead body
to the great house. John Trask stoutly pro-
claimed his innocence, and stated the same
thing he did upon his trial lie said he was
on lis way to accompany me home, when be
stumbled on tie corpse Of Mark Stone aud re-
NAMED with bin to see if lie could assis, him.
No one believed him, for they thought Of the
quarrel aud the evidence Of my seeing him
draw the knife from the body.
" We'll, old Mark had grand funeral aud
his body was put to rest III bis family vault
John bad bis trial he was found guilty Of
murder ia the frs. degree, and was sentenced
to be hung on the first Of July. When came
to study il al over thought it was a terrible
thing to have it on ny mind that human
fellow creature vac to be hung upon my evil
deuce but it seemed right at the tine for me
to deliver to the hands Of justice the slayer Of
human life, whether be we're friend or foe
The time wore on, aud the day previous to tie
one set for the execution Of ny once lover
went, at bis request, to visit him, and bid him
farewell. It was painful interview to both
Of U.s. He did not chiie or upraid me for
what had done; he forsave me, bat asserted
bis innocence to the last moment. Itwas with
a saddsned heart that left lis cell and went
out into the beautiful world. could not be-
lieye that one who was 50 near being usbered
into bis Makers presence would utter lie,
and for the first time believe that lie spoke
truly when he said he was innocent.
"That night Jefore went to bed, knelt
aud prayed as never prayed so earnestly be-
fore, that il John Trask was innocent the Lord
might spare bis life by prayer was heard
aud answerd. fell into a troubled sleep, aud
dreamed many wild aud wierd thisg. saw
the condemned man upon the scafold, teg-