The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-25
CALHoUN's DREAM.

An Apparition that Startled the Great
Southern Leader.
Carp" in Cleveland Leader.
The following singular story about dream of
the great nullifer, John G. Calhoun, get from
an old scrapbook whose leaves are worn with
the thumbling of two score years, 1t is said to
be the story of an eye witness, who was present
at this scene, which occurred over fifty years
ago. 1t is headed 1.-THE Spotted Hand" and
reads as follows: ''The other morning. at the
breakfast table, when |, an unobserved specta-
tor, happened to be present. Calhoun was OBJ
served to gaze frequently at his right hand and
brush it with his left hand in a hurried and ner-
vous manner. He did this so often that it excit-
ed attention. At length one Of the persons COM
prising the breakfast party-his name. | think,
is Toombs. and ne is member of Congress
from Georgia-took upon himself to ask
the occasion of Mr.. Calhouns dis
quietude Does your hand pain yO Os
Calhoun replied in rather hurried manner,
'Pshawi it is nothing but dream | had last
night and which makes me see perpetually a
large black spot, like an ink blotch, upon the
back of my right hand: an optical allusion.
suppose Of course these words excited the
curiosity of the company, but no one ventured
to beg the details of this singular dream, until
Toombs asked quietly: What was your dream
like? l am not very superstitious about dreams.
but sometimes they have great deal OF truth
in them. But this was such peculiarly alb
surd dream, said Mr. Calhoun, again brushing
the back of bis right hand; however, if it does
not intrude too much on the time of our friends,
will relate it to you. OF course the company
were profuse in their expressions of anxiety to
know all about the dream, and Mr.. Calhoun
related It.
sat late hour last night as was sitting
in my room, engaged In writing, was astonlshed
by the entrance of visitor who, without word,
took seat opposite me at my table. This sur
prised me, as had given particular orders to
the servant that should on no account be dis
turbed. The manner III which the intruder en-
tered, perfectly self possessed, taking his seat
opposite me without word, as though my room
and all within it belonged to him, excited in me
as much surprise as indignation. AS / raised
my head to look into his features, over the top
Of my shaded lamp, | discovered that he was
wrapped in a thin cloak which effectually con
cealed his face and features from my view;
and as / raised my head he spoke: What
are you writing, senator from South Caro-
linap did not think of his impertinence at first,
but answered him voluntarily: am writing
plan for the dissolution of the American Union
You know, gentlemen, that am expected to
produce plan of dissolution in the event of GER
tain contingencies To this the intruder re-
piled, in the coolest manner possible: Senator
from South Carolina, will you allow me to look
at your hand, your right handy He rose, the
cloak fell, and I beheld his face. Gentlemen,
the sight of that face struck me like a thunder
clap. 1t was the face of dead man, whom ex-
traordinary events had called back to life. The
features were those of Gen. George Washing
ton. He was dressed in the Revolutionary cos
tune, such as you see in the Patent Office Here
Mr.. Calhoun paused, apparently agitated. His
agitation, need not tell you, was shared by
the company. Toombs at length broke the en-
barrassing pause; Well, what was the issue OF
this scenep
''Mr Calhoun resumed: The intruder, as I
have said rose and asked to look atmy right hand.
as though had not the power to refuse. ex-
tended it. The truth is, felt strange thrill
do % 10 naH oV1
held it near the light, thus affording full time to
examine every feature 1t was the face of
Washington. After holding my hand for mo-
ment he looked at steadily and said in
quiet way, "And with this right hand, senator
from South Carolina, you would sign your name
to paper declaring the Union dissolvedln an
swered in the affirmative. YES" said IF a
certain contingency arises will sign my name
to the declaration of dissolution" But at that
moment a black blotch appeared on the back Of
my hand which seem to see now. what is
that9' said /, alarmed, know not why, at the
blotch my hand. THAT" said he, dropping
my hand, lis the mark by which Benedict
Arnold is known in the next world
meath his cloak an object which he laid on the
table--laid upon the very paper on which was
writing. This object, gentlemen, was skele-
ton There" said he. there are the bones of
Isaac Hayne, who was hung at Charleston by
the British. He gave his life in order to estab-
lish the Union. When you put your name to a
declaration of dissolution, why. you may as we'll
have the bones of Isaac Hayne before you-he
was South Carolinian and SO are you But
there was blotch on his right hand" With
these words the intruder left the room. / start
ed back from the contact with the dead mans
bones and-awoke Overcome by labor, l had
fallen asleep. and had been dreaming Was it
not a singular dream2' All the company an
swered in the affirmative, and Toombs muttered,
'Singlar. very singular and at the same time
looking curiously at the back of his right hand,
while Mr.. Calhoun placed his head between his
hands and seemed buried in thought"