Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1875-10-06
David Swan: 4 Fantasy.
Bl SArHANIEL HAW rlIORSE.

David Swan: 4 Fantasy.
BY NATHANIEL HAwrHORNE
We can be but partially acquainted with
the events which actually influence our
course through life and our final destiny
There are innumerable other events-if
such they may be called-which come
close upon Us. Yet pass away without actual
results, or even betrayirg their near APP
proach by the reflection of any light or
shadow across our minds. Could we know
all the vicissi,udes of our fortunes, life.
would be too full of hope aud fear, exulta-
ton or disappointment, to afford us sin
gle hour of true serenity. This idea may
be illustrated by n page from the secret
history Of David Swan.
We have nothing to do with David until
We find him, at the age of twenty, on the
high-road from his native place to the city
of Boston, where his uncle. Il small dealer
in the grocery line. was to take him behind
the counter B. it enough to say, that he
w;l> 4 native of New Hampshire. born of
respectable parents. and had received IN
ordinary school e lucation. with a classic
finish by 4 Year II t1ilmtnton Academy.
After 4 journey on foot from sunrise till
nearly noon of 4 Summers day. his weari-
ness and the increasing heat determined
him to sit down in the first convenient
shade, and wait the coming up of the
stage coach. As if planted on purpose for
hlm, there soon appeared a little tuft of
naples. with Il delightful recess in the
midst. and such 4 fresh bubbling spring,
that it seemed never to have sparklcd for
any wayftrer but David Swan. Virgin or
not, he kissed it with his thirsty lips. and
then tlung himself along the b ink, pillow
ing his head upon some shirts and Il pair
of ptntaloon>. tied up in a striped cotton
handkerchief The sunbeams could not
reach him the dust did not vet rise from
the road. after the heavy rain OF yesterday
anl hi grassy lair suited the Young man
better than a bed of down. The spring
murmurcd drow>ilv beside him; the
branches waved dreamily.. across the blue
sky overhead; and adeep sleep, pcrchance
hiding dreams within its depths. fell upon
David Swan. But we are to relate events
he did not dream of.
While he lay sound asleep in the shade
other people were wide awake, and passed
to and fro. afoot, on horseback, and in all
sorts Of vehicles. along the sunny road bv
his bedchamber. Some looked neither to
the right hand nor to the left, and knew
not that he was there; some merely glanced
that way. without admitting the slumberer
among their busy thoughts; some laughed
to see how >oundly he slept; and severll
whose hearts We're brimming full of Scorn.
elected their venomous supertluiy on Da-
vid Swan. \ middle aged widow, when
nobody else was near. thrust her head a
little way into the recess. and vowed that
the Young fellow looked charming in his
sleep. \ temperance lecturer saw him.
and wrought poor David into the texture
of his evenings discourse, as an awful in
stance Of dead drunkenness by the roadside
But cenSure. praise. mcrrlment, scOrn and
Indifference wcr" all one, or rather all
nothing to David Swan.
He had slept only few moments, when
Il brown carriage, drawn by u handsome
pair of horses, bowlel easily along, and
was brought to a stand-still nearly in front
Of David resting place. \ linchpin had
fallen ont, and permitted one of the wheels
to slide off. The damage was slight, and
occaSioned merely Il momrntary alarm to
IN elderly merchant and his wife, who
were returning to Boston in the carriage
While the cOachman and a servant were
replacing the wheel, the lady and gentle
man sheltered themselves beneath the ma
pie trees, anf there esped the hubbling
fountain. and David Swan asleep beside it.
Impressed with the awe the humble>t
sleeper sheds around. the merchant trod rs
lightly as the gout would allow; and his
spouse took good heed not to rustic her
silk gown lest David should start ND all
of Il sudden.
"lIow soundly he sleeps" whispered
the old gentleman. From what a depth
he draws that easy breath, Such sleep as
that brought on without opiate, would be
worth more to me than half my income
for it would suppose health and an untroub-
led mind"
"And youth besides" said the lady.
Healthy and quiet age do7e not sleep thus,
Oar slumber is no more like his than our
wakefulnc>S.
The longer hey looked, the more did
this elderly couple feel Interested in this
unknown youth, to whom the wayside and
the maple shade were as y secret chamber,
with the rich gloom of damask curtains
broodinr over him. Perceiving that Il
stray sunbeam glimmcred down upon his
face. the lady contrived TO twist branch
aside, so rs to intercept it. And having
done this little act of kindness, she began
to feel like mother to him.
Providence seems to have laid him
here whispered she to ner husband, land
to have br ught us hither to find him after
our disappointment in our cousins son.
Methinks | can see Il likeness to our
departed Henry. Shall we waken
him?'
30 what purpose?" said the merchant,
heSitatinr. 1--WE know nothing Of the youth S
character"
THAT open countenance" repliel his
wife, in the same huShed voice, yet earnest
lv. This innocent sleep.'
While these whispers were passing, the
sleeper's heart did not throb nor his breath
become agitated. nor his features betray
the least token of interest. Yet fortune
was bending over him just ready to let
fall burden of gold. The old merchant
had lost his only son. and had no heir to
his wealth, except II distant relative. with
whose conduct he was dissatisfied. In
such cases people sometimes do stranger
things than to act the magician. and awak-
en- a Young man to splendor who fell to
sleep III poverty.
"Shall we not waken him." repeated
the lady. persuasively.
1.-The coach is ready, sir" said the SER
want, behind.
The old couple started. redeemed, and
hurried away, mutually wondering that
thev should ever have dreamed of doing
ANYTHING so very ridiculous. The mer-
chant threw himself back in the carriage,
and occupied his mind with the plan OF Il
magnificent asylum for unfortunate men
Of business. Meanwhile, David Swan en-
joyed his nap.
The carriage could not have gone above