The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-04-30
CulIeOkR Items In n HORn-A Drum
mer's Dream-The Columbia Her
Md and Mail


To The Editors Of the Herald and Nail.
The writer of this passed down the N
d ID. r, H., few weeks since, With SAB.
pies of goods from a aOurisLL,i;inp grocery
house II ss.sonville. On the way an event
happened to me, Mr.. Editor, which per-
plcxes me sorely. As / Hm not super
stitious, l cannot accept the explanation
of magic" spiritual communication, f"
etc., which Robert Dale Owen would
probably suggest. / write to you, Mr..
Editor, who know the secret spring of
many actions unknown to ordinary NOR
tails, to relieve me in my perplexity.
| had no sooner taken KY seat when
some friend handed me a copy of the
HERALD. / read with interest the items
of news from the various parts of your
beautiful county. Ny eye was taken with
"Culleoka Items, as had to stop Their e
on important business As read / fell
asleep, and dreamed A phsntasmAgoria
of horrid and strange forms passed be
fore my minds eye. l thought saw a
village enVeloped in fog as dark and
gloomy as if it rose from the stagnant
pools of that sluggish stream, whose fer
ryman was the boatman pale. As /
gazed, The rude outlines OF giant SEEM
ed to take shape, if shape that vas whlc b
shape had none, He hung above the
place, apd ever and anon he blew upon a
horn on which was inscribed, "Culleoka
Items There was a resemblance in his
face of many persons / have seen. Among
them there were passing expressions that
reminded me of an old professor in my
cherished alma mater" of precious mem.
DRY. His horn too conveyed to my ears
snatches from those old authors that my
revered instructor grew so enthusiastic
over. The tones chilled my blood, as
Seemed to hear: rs there meme TO an
nounce the dead? The tQwn is perishin%
Thou canst sea one speeding close upon
another as a well-winged bird more swift
ly than irresistible fire to the shores of
the evening god. All around is heard
the sterterous unquiet slumber of sick
life. The rays of the watchers midnight
lamp struggle up through thousand fold
exhalations to the pure domain of ether.
Traffic alarmed has fled The chariot
wheels of death are rolling here and
and there through narrow streets. Mis-
cry prOwling like night bird, is abroad
Under this hIdeous coverlet of vapors,
utrefactious and unimaginable gases,
what fermenting vat lies siumering and
hid. The councillors Of death sit plot
ting and playing their high chess game,
whereof the pawns are men. Hard by
this town flows the river of Death, DER
which no flying thing unjeoparded can
ply its wing; such noisome exhalations
rise from out its darkness TO the skies.
Wild sorrow and avenging care, and pale
diseases cluster there, The Furieslroam
set free from cells, and discord maddens
and rebels" Just at this was awaken.
ed by jar. The train had run over a
a cow. The dream so full Of dismal bsf.
ror had such an effect on me, that
thought l would shirk nv duty, and pass
Cullsoka holding my breath. l summon
ed courage, however, to stop. and could
hardly believe my eyes when / saw moth
ing that indicated death or decay. The
plough boy whistled merrily. The fields
were smiling at the thought of soon rob-
ing themselves in green. Business was