Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-06-13
Mistellamepns &eaaina.
A STRANGE DREAM.

summer. In London mansion, many years
ago, a gentleman retired to bed at his usual
hour, but was for sometime affected with rest
lessness. From his window he looked up at
the bright array of countless stars, and soft
breeze hoated into the room. Still the gen.
tleman could not sleep. He was an officer of
the government, holding the position of under
secretary of State, and man of the most reg
ular habits.
"Well, WE'LL" he murmured, tossing impa-
very strange. l am usually a good sleeper,
but tonight I cannot close my eyes. My con.
science is clean-and yet here am like mad
Macbeth, denied my Sleep"
Still he tossed, and he heard the church
clocks strike o'clock, and then 2 in the
morning.
"I've half mind" he exclaimed, "to get
up and 60 down to the Home Office. Evil
IDENTIFY some mischievous angel or demon does
not intend that shall get any rest here!'
Tired nature, however, began to sink under
these prolonged sufferings, and, as is often the
case, sleep came suddenly. 1t was light, un-
refreshing and of short duration. The sleep.
er turned and twisted his body, he threw his
arms about occasionally he muttered few
words:
"Home Ofice-desk-life or death-wake
up-wake up."
He now sprang bold upright in the bed,
and rubbed his eyes. At the same moment
the clock struck.
"Why," he said, "it is only o'clock I
heard 2, and 80 have slept but short time.
But I've had dream. saw figure of some
kind before me, which said, Wake up, wake
upl Go to the Home Office! Quick-it's
life or death ! It's face looked piteous sp-
peal to me- cannot relieve my mind of the
impression. don't know what all this means,
but I'll dress and 60 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 irresisti-
BILE 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 private room. His eyes turned to the
desk, and the only thing he noticed was a
memorandum book, which, rather unaccount.
ably, was open. CHANGING at the page, he
read aloud these words: "A reprieve to be
sent the coiners, ordered for execution at
York"
He was at once seized with nervous unea-
ainess.
"By Jovew he exclaimed, "this thing is
getting interesting. Here 1 am out of my
bed and down here at this hour, and the first
thing that meets my eye is that entry in re-
gard to those condemned criminals. I have
done my part of the work, but how do know
this reprieve has gone to York. 1t should
have gone in the usual routine of the office,
but do not know it as fact. Really, be-
gin to think this nights business means some
thing. At all events, I'll 60 to the house of
the chief clerk, and set my mind at rest"
He hurried away. His steps we're now
quicker, and he 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 Grown
Papers, whose business it was to forward it to
York.
But have you his receipt and certificate
that it is gomez" inquired the under secretary.
"No."
"Then, let us 60 at once to his house, in
Chancery Lane, and see about it."
They started off. The morning was now
advancing, and tho under secretary began to
think that there must certainly be something
wrong. Keeping his thoughts to himself, he
devoted bis time to fastening his companion.
Reaching the house of the chief clerk of the
Crown Papers, they found him in the act Of
stepping into his phaston for a country holiday.
did you send the reprieve to the coiners at
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The chief clerk turned pale, and replied
"Great Heaven can it be possible have
forgotten it, and left it locked up in my desk" !"
The excitement created on all parties by
this revelation was very great.
"This is terrible" cried the under secretary.
Nothing but fleet express can save the
lives of these men,"
II hope that it may be ordered" said the
chief clerk of the Crown Papers.
"You have my authority for it. See that
the respite ia sent off without the delay of an
instant"
Thus instructed, the chief clerk drove away
in his phatou.
"Taken altogether" said the under secreta-
ry to his companion, as they moved away,
"this affair is most mysterious and impressive.
If the lives of these men are saved, it will be
through the means of dream, which forced
me from my bed last night to the Home Of
fee, where my attention was arrested by the
entry in my memorandum book in regard to
this reprieve I will relate all of the circum-
stances to you, and from this hour shall be-
lieve in the influence of dreams"
The sequel may be soon told. Preparations
for the execution of the criminals were made,
and, as an expected reprieve did not arrive,
it was announced to them that tho hour of
death was at hand. By this time the reprieve
was on the way by express. The time was
short, and the slightest delay or accident
would prevent the distance being overcome
before the execution. The criminals were led
from the prison, and were now in the act Of
mounting the cart to convey them to the
scene of the last act.
At this moment the express arrived, and
the cry went up:
"a reprieve- reprieve!"
When the facts in the case became public
ly known they caused most profound i'm.
preston throughout the whole country, and
led to such investigation that the men had
their sentence committed to imprisonment for
life.
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ABULL FIGHT IN CUBA.
THE SPANISH PAsTIME STRIPPED OF ITS FALSE
COLORs.
The following letter was written from Ha-
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