The Wilmingtonian., 1885-04-25

the river bank. The water was rushing in
great tolrent-having risen so high AS TO
almost touch the floor of the bridge. Every
few moments the flood would strike upon
some obstruction in the middle of the
stream, and IA great body of water would
leap to a great heght-appearing weird and
ghostikc in the moonlight.
The central portion of the bridge was
rooted over, and the opening to this cover
ing loomcd out dark and fo.biddng obove
the flood.
hesitated for a while, considering whcth-
er it was safe to venture to cross. Hero
manifested his uneasiness by snoIting ncrv-
ously; and evidently regarded his surround
ings with suspicion.
Having learned at the tavern that the
bridge was considered sound aud had resist
ed many floods aud freshcts my fears were
dismissed aud determined 70 cross.
Speaking to Hero urged hum mp the ap-
proach to the bridge. He was not pleased
with the idea, but rcassmed by my voice,
started forward, though with the greatest
caution, bending his neck down and regard
ing intcntly every foot of the way before lie
venturcd OH.
Tho rush and the roar-the swirl and
eddying of the water, affected me with a
feeling of bewldermcnt | was suddenly
selzed by the peculiar emotion of depression
aud uncertainty to which had been a vic,
tim upon awakening from the mysterious
y I,f ind 10
apsed into very peculiar state-a sort o
trance seemed to be in the present situa
in spilit-not in body.
All the surroundings seemed strangely IA
miliar, though had never been in that per
ton of the country before. was possessed
with the idea of having at some time passc'
| through these same scenes and witnessed
these same objects. At the same time som,
powerful image was endeayormg to cmerSt
| from clouds Of obs3urity within my brain
and to make itself visible to the mind
eye.
As the resounding echoes Of the horse
feet upon the planks, reached my cars, thi
image burst through the clouds in the brain
and the dream OF the night before rose up il
my memory, causing feeling of intense re
lief. checked the horse and studied tn
vision. The dream was as lo.lowS:-
was amid Surroundings wonderfully lik
those through which had just passcd-cS
cepting the vague shadowy indistiuctness {
outline peculiar to the land of dreams.
rode down the long hill, passed through til
deep cut with the ccda's like ghostly sent
ncls upon each side and reached the rive
bank. The water was rushing madly oi
ward, but made no nose whateyer--ever!
thing WAS as still as death. After hesitatin
and gazing upon the weird spectacle, 1 rod
upon the bridge The water ceased ilowin
for moment, and theu turned round All
round in gigantic whirlpool lIideor
looking catnrcs, while being borne rour
by tie water, seemed to beckon n
across.
When at the middle Of the bridge, it con
mcnced to sway and tremble. | stopped m
horse for moment, but upon cndeavuril
TO move on again, found my limbs para
wed. tried to speak to the horse but VI
unable to utter sound. While in this co
dition the bridge gave a terrific lurch al
fell with a mighty crash into the river.
? felt myself going down, down, down-ai
{ then awoke.
n was aroused from this review Of L
Y dream by an OMNIBUS trembling of t
/