Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-07-03
From Chambers' Journal.
THE DREAMING BEECH.

passed Slnco IL was SCruck Dy llghtnlng
and split from top to bottom. and the
plow has we'll furrowed the place where
it grew. Before that time the mighty
old beech tree stood, some hundred
yards from the first houses of the vii.
lage, on grassy mound, tree such as
one never sees in: these days, because
animals, plants, trees, and men, are
becoming small and mean.
The peasant said the tree dated from
tho early Christian era, and that {.
holy apostle had been massacred be-
meath it by che false heathan; that the
roots of the tree had drunk up the
apostles blood, which, rising through
the trunk and branches, had made
them SO large and strong. Who knows
If the elegend be trne2 Anyhow, there
was certainly one curious fact concern.
ing the tree, and everybody in the vii
lage knew about it, small and great,
Whoever fell asleep under the tree and
dreampt dream, that dream would
surely come true. 81, from time i'm
memorial, it was called tho Dreaming
Beech, and no one knew it by any other
name.
There was, however, a peculiar con-
dition attached to the dreaming, and if
anybody lay down under the beech
with the idea Of dreaming of some one
particular thing, then the dream woald
be sure to be nothing but confusion
and rubbish and nonsense of all sorts.
of which no one could make either
head or tail. Now this was assuredly
rather difficult stipulation, because
most people are SO very likely to think
of what lies nearest the heart; conse-
quently at the time the story COM
mences not q man or woman has ever
tried the plan with success. Still, for
all that, it was not to be denied but
that the tradition Of the Dreaming
Beech was true.
Ono hot summers day, when not a
breath of air stirred, poor Journey
man came wandering along the road.
Things had gone very badly with him
for many years in foreign parts. When
he reached the village he turned his
pockets inside out for the last time,
but, alas !! they were empty.
"What am 1 to do" he thought to
himself, I" I am tired to death, hut no
one will take me in for nothing, and it
is hard to beg" just then lis eyes
fell upon the noble beech tree, on the
green grassy slope; and as it stood
only q few yards from the road, lie laid
himself down under it to rest. A gen.
tie breeze sprung up and rustled
amongst the branches, whilst here and
there CLEAN of glittering sunshine
fell AS the leaves we're moved, disclos
ing glimpses of the deep blue sky,
beyond. Then the tired wanderer
closed his eyes and slept. Whilst he
was thus soundly sleeping, q
branch dropped from the beech tree,
with three leaves on it, which
fell Just on his breast. He dreamt
that he sat at table, in most cozy
room; and the table was his own, and
the room, and, indeed, the whole house.
At tho table, leaning on it with botl
hands, stood a young woman. looking
lovingly ut 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, laughingly ''What q capital nurse
you make !" Jumping about the room
was another child--a fat, rosy checked
mountaineering about q large carrot,
to which he had tied string, and
shouting out 'Tally hO !" as if It were
the finest fox. And both children
were his own.
This was his dream: and il must
have been very pleasant dream, for
his whole face beamed, in his sleep,
with happiness.
When he awoke it was almost eve.
ming, and before him stood sheperd,
smoking. He sprang up from the
ground. much refreshed stretched
himself, and yawned, saying:
Heavens! if it were only true but,
ut all events, it was pleasant to know
how it would all feel!'
Then the shepherd came up and
asked him whence he came. and whith
or he was going, and whether he had
ever heard of tbs wonderful Beech2
Having learnt he was as innocent
about it as newborn babe, he OK.
claimed:
"Well. you're a lucky dogl Fo1
anyone could lead in your face you
were dreaming something pleasant, ]
was looking at you for long time, AZ
you lay there" And he told him the
peculiar virtue of the tree. "It's sure
to come true" he added, i" as certain
as that this is sheep, and that a
lamb. Ask the people in the village il
it is not 80. Now, just tell me what
you dreampt."
"Old fellow" answered the young
man, grinning, "that's the way, is it.
you question strangers in these parts
mean to keep my beautiful dream tt
myself, and you can't be surprised nj
that. But for all that nothing will come
of :" and he really believed what ht
was saying, for as he walked to wards the
village, he murmurcd to himself
"SLuff and nonsence old wives tales
I should like to know how tree coult
come by such powerl''
As he came into the village lie saw
stuck ont from the roof of the tl,irt
house long pole with golden crow
dangling from it. And below ut tn
door stood the landlord of the Crow
Inn. He happened just then to be il
lgood humor, for he had very goo'
supper, and was feeling in consc
quencc quite happy and genial. S
the young laborer pulled off his ha
and asked for q nights shelter. Tn
landlord of the Crown looked ut tn
smart lad, and then, kindly noddine
said to him:
Sit down here in this arbor.
dare say there's a bit of bread an
cheese and Il jug Of beer to spare fo
ye, and Il truss Of straw in tho loft q
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