Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-02-21

w washington SoiuS 10 Tue lnlCkeL u
pray. Well, it is not only true. but
he used often to pray in secret for aid
and comfort from that God, the inter-
position of whose divine providence
alone brought us safely through those
dark days of tribulation."
Zone day remember it we'll
the chilly winds whistled through the
leafess trees, though the sky was cloud
less and the sun shining brightly--he
remained in his quarters nearly the
whole afternoon alone. When he
came out | noticed that his face was a
shade paler than usual, and that there
seemed to be something on his mind
Of more than ordinary Importance. Re-
turning just after dusk, he dispatched
an orderly to the quarters of the officer
l mentioned, who was presently in at
tendance. After preliminary con-
versation, which lasted some half an
hour, Washington gazing upon his
companion with the strange look of
dignity, which he alone could COM
mand, said to the latter:
II do not know whether it was ow.
ing to the anxiety of my mind, or
what, but this afternoon, as | was sit.
ting a: this very table, engaged in pre-
pairing a dispatch, something in the
apartment seemed to disturb me. Look.
ing up, beheld, standing opposite to
me, singularly beautiful female. So
astonished was |, for | had given strict
orders not to be disturbed, that it was
some moments before found language
to inquire the cause of her presence.
A second, third and even the fourth
|
time did | repeat the question, but re-
ceived no other answer from my mys'
ferrous visitor than a slight raising Of
her eyes. BY this time | felt strange
sensation spreading through me.
would have risen, but the riveted gaze
of the being before me rendered wolf
ton impossible. l assayed once more
to address her, but my tongue had be-
come powerless. Even thought Itself
presently became paralyzed. A new
influence, mysterious, potent, irresista
bic took possession of me. All could
do was to gaze, steadily, vacantly al
my unknown visitant. Gradually the
surrounding atmosphere seemed al
though becoming full of sensations
and grew luminous. Everything about
me appeared to rarity, the mysterious
visitor herself becoming more airy and
yet more distinct to my sight than be-
fore. / now began to feel as one dying
or rather to experience the sensations
| have sometimes imagied accompany
dissolution. did not think, | die
not reason, did not move; all were
alike impossible. | was only conscious
of gazing, 6xedly, vacantly at my
companion.
presently heard a voice saying
Son of the Republic, look and learn,
while at the same time my visitor ex
tended her arm and fore.fnger east
waldly. l now beheld a heavy, whit
vapor at some distances rising, folC
upon fold; this gradually dissipate(
and / looked upon a strange scene
Before me lay spread out in one vas
plain all the countries of the world
Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.
T saw rolling and tossing between Europ'
!, and America the pillows OF the Atlant
ic, and between Asia and America la,
the Pacific.
"Son of the Republic said tn
same mysterious voice as before, 'lool
and learn
"At that moment l beheld a darl
shadowy being like an angel, standing
or rather floating in mid air between
Europe and America. Dipping waite
out of the ocean in the hollow of eacl
hand, he sprinkled some upon Americ'
with his right hand, while he cast upol
Europe some with his left. Immedi
, ately dark cloud arose from each o
+ these countries and joined in mid
ocean. For a while it remained sta
; tioDary. and then moved slowly west
, ward until it enveloped America in it
murkv fold Sharp flashes of lipht