The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-08-23
A Strange Dream.

It was beautiful night..in the English
summer, In 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 OF
countless stars, and soft breeze foated
into the room. Still the gentleman could
not sleep. He was an officer of the gov
ernment, holding the position of Under
Secretary of State, and man of the most
regular habits.
"Well, well," 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 am, like bad Macbeth, de-
MED my sleep"
| He lay for a moment with his eyes
wide open, and then as if for a mere
change and occupation for his thoughts,
repeated Shakspeare's 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 a mind" he exclaimed, "to
get up and go down to the home Office.
Evidently some mischievous angel, or
demon, does not intend that I shall get
| an =, rest here!''
Tired nature, however, began to sink
under these prolonged sufferings, and, as
is often the case, sleep came suddenly.
| It was light, unrefreshing, and of short
duration. The sleeper turned and twist
ed his body, he threw his arms about, oc-
casionally he muttered a few words:
"Home Otfice-desk-life or death
wake up-wake up"
He now sprang bolt upright in the bed
and rubbed his eyes. At the same in
stant 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. I saw a
figure Of some kind before me, which
said, wake up, wake up! Go to the
Home Office! Quick-it is life or death p
Its face looked piteous appeal to me.
cannot relieve my mind Of the impress
sion: I don't know what all this means,
but I'll 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 more
than the force of daily habit. Reaching
the building, he went directly to his pri-
vate room. His eyes turned to his desk,
and the only thing he noticed was a
memorandum book, which rather unac-
countably was open.
Glancing at the page, he read aloud
these words: "A reprieve to be sent
to coiners ordered for execution at York. y
He was at once seized with q nervous
uneasiness.
"By Jove!" he exclaimed, ''this thing
is getting interesting. Here I an 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 I know this reprieve
has gone to York? It should have gone
in the usual routine Of the Office, but
do not know it is fact. Really, begin
to think this nights business means
something. At all events, I'll go to the
house of the chief clerk, and set my mind
at rest.'
i 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 bust.
ness it was to forward it to York.
"But have you his receipt and certificate
that it is gomez" inquired the Under:
Secretary.