The Wilmingtonian., 1885-04-25
THE STORY TELLER.
The Forgotten Dream.

The ForSotten Dfeoh''
In the autumn of 1S4-it became neees-
sary for me to visit the town of B. on
business of importance. The country being
nroyided with few railroads at that period,
the trip had to be made by Garage or horse
back, The latter method was chosen as the
most expeditions. The journey, under ia
vorable circumstances could be accomplish
ed in two days of rapid and continuous ri
ding.
At the end of the first days travel stopped
nv excellent horse, Hero, at waysde tav-
eru in order to obtain lodging for the night,
having performed good days jour
ney.
The weather had grown threatening dur
ing the afternoon, and just at nightfall
cold rain commenced falling. The ride had
furnished me with a ravenous appetite, and
the tempting supper provided by the land
ord vanished in the smallest possible time
Beefsteak, 0melet, cori-bread, toast and
other dishes were partaken of with rcck
less abandon. The supper was followed by
comfortable and soothing smoke, in an
easy chair by the bar-room stove. A NUM-
Der of neighbors dropped in during the
evening to chat and exchange the news OF
the day. 1t was an easy matter to become
acquainted with these men, and the evening
was passed. in agreeable conversation.
Outside the rain continued in steady
pour. The gloomy weather had slightly
SOLDERING effect upon tho assemblagc; and
the conversation drifted on to subjects
wherein the mysterious and marvellous play
ed prominent part.
Feeling very tired and sleepy after the
long days Journey, retired to rest about
ten o'clock.
The rain still continued in a monotonous
pour. My spirits were at rather a low point
as was apprehensiye of being detained on
the journey by the weather
In the morning was awakened by Il loud
crash, and started up in a state of great mel
vous excitement. This was succeeded by Il
feeling of bewildermcnt. Where was /? AS
my position and surroundings became clear,
Inexperienced feeling Of relief. The crash
was that of the tavern gong rousing the
guests Then sensation of depression took
possession of me- My attention was sud
denly attracted by the sunlight shining
brightly in at the window. | sprang from
the bed delighted to find that the weather
had cleared in the night, and that the day
was bcautiful,-not elOad being visible
A strong and bracing wind from the north
west promised iiue day for the journey
,tTurning from the window l became con
scious of the same feeling of depression eX
pcrienced Immediately upon awakening, ant
which the delight at percovng fine day
had banishcd for the time.
There seemed to be something which
ought to do, something which | ought t'
think about;--but just what that something
was, could not ascertain. This unpleaSan
feeling affected me while engaged in dres
sing, and Just as | was about to descend It
breakfast memory came to my aid [ hat
been the victim of n frghtful dream whcl
the tavern gong had eliminated, and at TIN
same time dspelled by awakening me.
But what that dream was--its nature, in
cidents etc, II could not recollect. a Ion
and searching analysis of the matter was o
no avail. l was only aware that il had bee
Of u fearful nature, and had forced m
nerves up TO srrsr N
Finally, in despair attributing the whcl
occurrence to the enormous supper, and th
ghostly talk in :he bar-room, descended t.
breakfast.
There was much talk about the tavern re
gardiug the rain of the night before, am
several washouts and freshets were reporto
as having occurred in tie neghborn
streams.
The day was superb oue-having jus
enough frost in the air to make riding agrC
able.
Hero was in fine condition, and the rid
would have been most enjoyable had it nc
been that my mind was constantly revertin
to the subject of the dream. | inpatient
endeavored to forget the matter by admirin
the gorgeous tints which the October frost
had painted upon the foliage; by gain
upon the farm wagons loaded with golde
corn, and the yellow pumpkins smlin
roguishly from the fields; listening to til
cheerful notes of the robin and bluc-br
p1rched amid the branches Of the gum tret
and iuhaling the rich wild fragrance Of Ii
woods through which the road passed. BIT
every few moments | would find my though
returning to the dream.
The hard turnpike ON which | travelC
suffered no injury from the storm, but evcl
little brook and creek was swollen into
miniature torrent At noon thriving vi
lage was reached, and stop was made +,
dinner.
After having diaed aud taken smoke,
again set forth on my journey. My mir
was not disturbed much durn. the afte
noon by the drelm matter The section
country passed through during the latt
part of the day was new to me, and eve
little top brOu Git to v9w interesting see
cry.
These incidents Of travel, and other even
of the day had u tendency TO prevent t
mind from returning to the dream. Late
the afternoon | reached another town
which stopped for an carry snpper. III
last tavern was only few miles from b
A, pnlnt aboat half way hrtween the ia
crn and tlc town, the road crossed a 10
wooden bridge splnniaga wide swiftly flo
ing river. This stream was liable to sudd
and heavy frcshets after rains of any mag
tule.
Hero being comparatively fresh, and |
night being lighted by full moon, it "
my intention to stop at the tavern for 81
per, and short rest, and then to push