River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-08-23
A Strange Dream.

1t was a beautiful night in the English
summer, In a London mansion, many
years ago, gentleman retired to bed at an
unusual hour, but was for some time af-
fected with restlessness. From his win
dow he looked up at the bright array oil
countless stars, and soft breeze f1oated
into the room. Still the gentleman could
not sleep. He was an officer of the gov
eminent, holding the position of Under
Secretary of State, and man of the most
regular habits.
"Well, WE'LL" he murmured, tossing
impatiently from side to side of the bed,
"this is very strange. / am usually a
good sleeper, but tonight cannot close
my eyes. My conscience is clean-and
yet here I am, like bad Macbeth, de-
MED my Sleep
He lay for a moment with his eyes
wide open, and then as if for mere
change and occupation for his thoughts,
repeated Shakspeares lines on sleep.
Still he tossed, and he heard the church
clocks strike one o'clock, and then two
in the morning.
"I've half mind" he exclaimed, ito
get up and go down to the home Office.
Evidently some mischievous angel, or
demon, does not intend that | shall get
an s,rest herel"
Tired nature, however began to sink
under these prolonged suferings, and, as
is often the case, sleep came suddenly.
1t was light, unrefreshing, and of short
duration. The sleeper turned and twist
ed his body, he threw his arms about, oc-
casionally he muttered few words:
"Home Office-desk-life or death
wake up-wake up"
He now sprang bolt upright in the bed
and rubbed his eyes. AT the same in
slant the clock struck.
"Why," he said, " 1t is only o'clock
/ heard two, and so have slept but short
time. But I've had a dream. l saw
figure of some kind before me, which
said, Wake up, wake up! Go to the
Home Office! Quick-it is life or death :
Its face looked a piteous appeal to me.
carnot relieve my mind of the impress
sion. don't know what all this means,
but II dress and go to the Office"
In short time he went forth into the
street, and strolled almost aimlessly IN
the direction of the Home Office. A
strange and irresistible influence drew
him in that direction; but at the same
time he would not admit, even to himself,
that he was following anything moro
than the force of daily habit. Reaching
the building, he went directly to his pri-
vate room. His ewes turned to his desk,
and the only thing he noticed was
memorandum book, which rather unac-
eountably was open.
CHANGING at the page, he read aloud
these words: "A reprieve TO be sent
to coiners ordered for execution at York"
He was at once seized with nervous
uneasiness.
'By Jover' he exclaimed, "this thing
is getting interesting. Here l am out of
my bed and down here at this hour: and
the first thing that meets my eye is that
entry in regard to those condemned
criminals. | have done my part of the
work, but how do l know this reprieve
has gone to York; 1t should have gone
in the usual routine of the Office, but
do not know it is fact. Really, begin |
something. At all events, I'll go to the |
house of the chief clerk, and set my mind |
at rest"
He hurried away. His steps were now
quicker, and ne was thoroughly absorbed |
in the matter. Rousing up the chief |
clerk, he was informed by this person |
that the respite had been sent to the chief |
clerk of the Crown Papers, whose busi-
ness it was to forward it to York.
"But have you his receipt and certificate
that it is gonel' inquired the Under
Secretary.
No"
'Then let us go at once to his house,
Il Chancery Lane, ard see about it."
They started off, The morning was
now advancing, and the Under-Secretary
began to feel that there must certainly /
be something wong. Keeping his
thoughts to himself, he devoted him
self TO Fastening his companion. Reach
ing the house Of the chief clerk of the
Crown Papers, they found him in the act
of stepping into his phaeton for country
holiday.
"Did you send the reprieye to the
at York;" demanded the Under
Secretary, almost breathlessly.
The clerk turned pale, and replied:
"Great Heavens can it be possiblel /
have forgotten it, and left it locked Up in
my deskn
The excitement created on all parties
by this revelation was very great.
This is terriblem cried the Under
Secretary. Nothing but fleet express
can save the lives of these men,
Il hope that it may be ordered said
the chief clerk of the Crown Papers.
ssYou have my authority for it. See
that the respite is sent off without the
delay of an Instant
Thus instructed, the chief clerk drove
away in his phaeton.