Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-08-20
THE DREAMING BEECH.

MORE than hundred years have pass
ed since twas struck by lightning and
split from top to bottom and the plough
has well 'furrowed the place where it
grew. Before that time the mighty old
beech tree stood, some hundred yards
from the first houses of the village, on a
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 massacred beneath it by
the false heather; 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 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 dreamt a dream, that dream, would
surely come trHe. So, from time. i'm
memorial, it was called the Dreaming
Beech, and no one knew it by any other
name. There was, however, a peculiar
condition attached to the dreaming. and if
anybody lay down under the beech with
the idea of dreaming of some one particu-
lar thing, then the dream would 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 stipu-
lation, because most people are so very
likely to think of what lies nearest the
heart; consequently, at the time this story
commences not=a man or woman had ever
tried the plan with success. Still, for all
that, 1t was not to be denied but that the
tradition of the Dreaming Beech was true.
One hot summers day, when not a
breath OF air stirred, a poor journeyman
came wandering along the road. Things
had gone very badly with him for many
years in foreign parts. When he reached
the village he tuned his pockets inside
out Tor the last time, but. alas. they were
empty.
What am [ to do ?" he thought to him
self, am tired to death, but no one will
takeSnle in for nothing, and it is hard to
beg" Just then his eyes fell upon the
noble beech tree, on the green grassy
slope; and as it stood. only few yards
from the road, he laid himself down Under
it to rest. A gentle breeze sprung up and
rustled amongst the branches, whilst here
and there CLEAN of glittering sunshine
Tell as the leaves were moved, disclosing
glimpses Of the deep blue sky beyond,
Then the tired wanderer closed his ewes
and slept. Whilst he was thus soundK
sleeping, branch dropped from the beech
tree, with three leaves on it. which fell
just on his breast He dreamt that he
sat at a table, III most coy 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 SCUM.
and because the soup was too hot he blew
upon the spoon to cool it. Then his wife
cried out, laughingly, "What a capital
nurse you maker Jumping about the
room was another child, fat, rosv-cheek.
ed urchin, dragging about a large carrot
to which he had tied string, and shout,
ing out "Tally ho!" as if it were the
finest fox. And both children were his
sOWn.
This was mis- dream; and it must have
been very pleasant dream, for his whole
face beamed in his sleep, with happiness
When he awoke it was almost evening
and before him stood shepherd, smoking
He sprang up from the ground, much re-
freshed; stretched himself, and vawned
saying:
Heavens! if it were only true. but, al
all events, it was pleasant to know how il
would ali feel!'
Then the shepherd came up and asked
him whence he came, and whittier he was
going, and whether he had ever heard OF
the wonderful Beech?
= Having learnt be was as innocent
about 1t as newborn babe, he exclaim
ed:
"Well, you're a lucky dog! For any
one could read in your face you were
dreaming something pleasant. I was
looking at you for long time, as you lay
aheren And he told him the peculiar
virtue of the tree. cts sure to come
true" he added; "as certain as that this
is a sheep and that a lamb. Ask the peo-
pie ia the village if it is not so. Now just
tell me what you dreamt y
9 "Old fellow" answered the young man,
:grinning, ''that's the way, is it, you ques
ton strangers in these parts? | mean to
keep my beautiful dream to myself, and
you can't be surprised at that. But for al
mat, nothing will come of ito and he
really a believed what he was saying, for as
ne walked toward the village, he mur
n11 to himself, 'Stutf and nonsense
plu wives tales! / should like to knew
nom uee could come by such powerl"
as he came into the village he saw
SUCK out from the roof of the third horse