The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-07-18
GIaegnteltigenee
THE DREAMING BEECH.


More than q hundred years have passed
since II was struck by lightning and split
from top TO bottom, and the ploW has
we'll lurrowed the place where II grew.
Before that time the mighty old beech
tree stood some hundred yards from the
first houses OF tho village, on grassy
mound, a tree such as one never sees in
these days, because animals, plants, trees
and men are becoming small and mean.
The peasants said the tree dated from
the early Christian era, and that holy
apostle had been mastered beneath It
BY the false heather; that the roots OF
the ree had drunk up the apostles blood,
which, rising through the trunk and
branches, had made them so large and
strong. Who knows il the legend be
true? Anyhow, there was certainly one
curious fact concerning the tree, and
everybody In the village knew about it,
small and great. Whoever fell asleep
under the tree and dresmt dream, that
dream would surely come true. &c. from
time immemorial, It was called the
Dreaming Beech, and no one knew II by
any other name. There was, however, q
peculiar condition attached 10 the dream
ing, and II anybody lay down under the
beech with the idea OF dreaming some
one particular thing, then the, dream
would be sure TO be nothing but cOnfu-
sion and rubbish and nonsense OF all sorts,
OF which no one could make either head
or tail. Now this was assuredly rather a
difficult stipulation, because most people
are so very likely 10 think OF what lies
nearest the heart; consequently, ut the
time this story commences not man or
woman had ever tried the plan with sue
cess. SIN, for all that, It was not to be
denied but the tradition Of the Dreaming
Beech was true.
One hot summers day, when not .
breath Of air stirred, poor 1Ourneyman
came wandering along the road. Things
had gone very badly with him for many
wears in foreign parts. When he reached
Ihe village he turned his pockets inside
out for the last time, but, alas they were
empty.
"What am l to do?" he thought to
himself, 81 am tired to death, but no one
will take me IN for nothing, and It Is hard
10 beg" Just then his eyes fell upon the
noble beech tree, on the green grassy slope;
and as 1t stood only few yards from the
road, he laid himself down under 1t 10
rest. A gentle breeze sprung up and
Tustled amongst the branches, whilst
here and there CLEAN Of glltterlng sun
shine fell as the leaves were moved, dis
closing gl;mpses Of the deep blue sky be-
yOud, Then the tired wanderer closed
bis eyes and slept. Whilst he was thus
suundly sleeping, branch dropped from
the beech tree, with three leaves on 1t,
which fell just on his breast. He dreamt
that he sat q table, In most cozy room;
and the table was his own, and the room,
and indeed the whole house. At the table,
leaning on It with both hands, stood q
Young woman, looking lovingly at him;
and that was his wife. On his knees sat a
child, whom he was feeding with soup,
and because the soup was too hot, he blew
upon the spoon TO cool It. Then his wife
cried out, laughing, "Whata capital nurse
you make Jumping about the room
was another child, a lat, rosy-cheeked ur'
chin, dragging Bbout large carrot, to
which he had tied a string, and shouting
out GTally hoI" as If It were the finest
lox, And both children were his own.
Ills WAS uh ulCullI huI u lAuob hnIS
been very pleasant dream, for his whole
lace beamed in his sleep with happiness.
Before he awoke Il was almost evening,
and before him stood shepherd, smok
ing. Hesprang up from the ground much
refreshed; stretched himself, and yawned,
saving ttk -.h
"HeavcnHliIlt,W only truel but, at
all events, It was pleasant 10 know how It
would all feel" =, .rN
Then the shepherd came up and asked
him whence he came, whittier he was 60
ing, and whether he hid ever heard otthe
wonderful beech.
Having learned that hO was as innocent
about it as a newborn babe, he exClaim-
cd: ..
"Well, you're a lucky dog For any
Que Could read in your face you were
dreaming something pleasant, was
looking al you for a long time as you lay
there" Aud he told him the peculiar
virtue Of the tree. "1ts sure 70 come
true" he added; "as certain as that this
is sheep and that lamb, Ask the peo'
pie in the villagaii 1t Is not so. Now, just
tell me what you dream"
"Old fellow" answered the young man,
grinning, that's the way, Is II, you ques-
lion strangers III these partaY mean 70
keep my beautiful dream to myself, and
you can't be surprised at that" and he
really believed what he was saying, Tor
rs he walked towards the village, he muir.
INJURED 10 himself, "stua and nonsense
old wives tales should like TO know
how tree would como by such power |"
As be came into the village, no saw
stuck out from the roof OF the third house
long pole with golden crown dangling
from L. And below, at the door, stood
the landlord ofthe Crown Inn. He hap.
pened lust then TO DO in good humOr, for
he had had . very good supper, and was
feeling, In consequences, quite happy and
genial, So the young labOrGr pulled of
bis cap, and asked for Q nights shelter
The landlord OF the Crown looked at The
smart lad, In his dusty, ragged clothes
from top 70 TOE, and then kindly noddlng
said to him: s.....
"st down here in the arbor l dare sal
there's bit Of bread and cheese and a Jul
Of beer 70 spare for 70, and truss Of straw
10 the loft at night"
Wbereupon be went into the house, ant
sent out his daughter with the bread ant
cheese and beer, and she sat down bestdt
the young man and asked him 10 tell he
Of the foreign lands, and in return toll
him all the village gossip, and how tn
corn stood, and when the next dance a
the Crown would be.
Suddenly she arose, leaned toward III