The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-08-17
A REMARKABLE DREAM.
An Old Story OF a pl.a.t,r n, r.. n,,,

! October, 1854, when the Collins steam
ship was overdue and supposed to b.
lost at sea.
The Collins vessels were 50 regula
that merchants timed the delivery o
the mails almost TO m hour; and whel
day after day sped by and neither tn,
vessel nor any tidings OF her came Il
hand, the gloom became deeper ant
deeper. Strange TO relate, one Of til,
most depending was Mr.. Il. X. Col
| Inns, the manager OF the line, and The
person after whom It was named. Ike
i crowds who Aocked to the office K
! question him, and who naturally ex
, pected TO see him full OF hone, found
him pale, dispirited, and often in tears
, His wife and two children were or
board /; but it was thought that his con
J tidence in the stRunchness OF his yes
sells, and the seamanship OF those In
charge Of them, would make him treal
the matter in totally different spirit
from what he did. Much surprise was
expressed but the actual reason fol
his great depression was at that time
known only 10 few OF his relatives and
most intimate friends. 1t arose, IN
truth, from q dream, which left au i'm.
preston beyond his power to over.
come, and which in the end was verified
in every particular.
a number Of the directors and vari.
GUS merchants were assembled in the
private office OF the company on Mon.
day afternoon. The vessel was then
some two days overdue, having been
expected on the previous Saturday
evening. At the time, Mr.. Collins lived
at n magnificent residence in West
chester county, and had remained in
town over Sunday, to receive his family
on the arrival OF the steamer. He spent
Saturday night at tho house OF his
brother, and on Sunday morning came
down 10 the breakfast.table looking SO
hRggard that il attracted attention.
When spoken to about it, he frankly
stated that he had passed q restless
night, broken by dream that the
Arctic was lost. The matter was
laughed at by the brother; but when
Monday morning came without the yes.
sci having been reported, Mr.. Collins
again spoke Of his dream. During
Monday he related It to several others,
and at the hour OF the assemblage in
the private office II was told over again
with an injunction OF secresy, how.
ever, which prevented it from reaching
the public. As one after another came
into tho office, they were painfully i'm.
pressed with the gloom which was pic.
tured in tho face OF Mr.. Collins. A fine
man, Of erect statue, and marked dig
nifty OF manners, he did not look like
u person who would give way 10 any
useless fears OH any occasion. But he
was far more quiet than ususAl he
seemed to shrink away from those in
conversation, aud his face was OF
death.like paleness.
"WhAt'S the matter with Collins ?"
asked one and another, in whispers.
Remember his wife and children
arc on board the Arctic, observed some
one, in reply.
Eyes," responded another, "but
there is no occasion for alarm. The
ship is q staunch one. and within few
hours at most will, think, come gal.
lantly 10 her wharf"
"Neyerl" said deep solemn voice.
All gave slight start at the tone and
words, and turned in the direction from
whence they proceeded. The speaker
was Mr.. Collins himself.
~ Am satisfied, gentlemen" he re-
marked, in the same solemn manner,
"that tho Arctic has gone to the bot
TOM"
"Impossiblel" cried oil.
"I am quite astonished at that
opinion" said Mr.. John Brown, lead.
ing director. "No one knows better
than you do, Mr.. Collins, the superior
construction OF the ships OF our line,
and the qualifications OF the chief officer
and crew in charge Of the Arctic"
"Any vessel may DO lost, said Mr..
Collins "and while ] am satisfied that
as directors and public servants We
have done all that human beings could
do in such q matter, still I believe the
Arctic TO be lost. May Heaven have
protected those on boardl"
Here his voice failed him, and his
eyes were suffused with tears. With
his thoughts far out on the broad,
dangerous ocean, he had seen the faces
of his vito and children among those
helpless ones, and for the moment he
could say no more.
The scene was affecting in the ex
trCme, and perhaps never had its equa
in any counting.room in the world
For some time there was IN entire 81
lence, and then Mr.. Brown remarked
"Mr. Collins, you must have some rea
son for your opinion"
"None in the world" returned Mr.
Collins, Except dream"
"a dream I" repeated one. and IN
other in astonishmcnt.
All sneered, and some almost laughed
aloud.
Gentlemen, said Mr.. Collins with
dignity which was peculiarly impress
sive in him-"gentlemen, you no doub
regard this as great weakness, Per
haps 1t is. Dreams are generally look
, ed upon rs foolish things, but hay,
had one under such circumstances tina
it has become TO mo presentiment o.
evil to this ship, which no power OF
earth can remove.
Every person there listened with hi
ears wide open, and looked full in tn
face Of the usually strong.minded man
who spoke these words SO seriously ant
impressively.
Last Saturday night" continued
Mr.. Collins, i dreamed OF the Arctic
1 saw her as perfectly before mo as
ever saw her. II was her graceful mod
81. her spacious deck, and her nobl,
officers and crew. saw all OF this, ant
more. I saw hole in her side; Their
was panic on her decks; people wer,
running hither and thither, and crying
! 10 hn snrnd. md nnntlnrnnn I nnn