The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-05-08
DEACON sUMPrER's DREAM.

~ Galesburg Mich:
 Deacon Sumpter, kind-hearted and righteous man, dwelt during the reign of George ILL. upon the outskirts of Plymouth England One night in the early spriugtime, having retired to rest at his usual hour. his sleep was disturbed by remarkable dream. ltappeared to him that he could hear most distinctly d voice from heaven saving to him, Arise, and go without delay, to Rod min Bodmin was a market-town in the adjoining county (the county of Cornwal) about twenty-five miles from Plymouth The deacon was not a super s,itiouS man. though living in a super stitious age He was man of strong mind and will, not easily moved by strange fancieS Net the dream troubled him After thinking about II for some time. he aroused his wife and told her what had disturbed him, and how deep the impression it had made upon him. As she had not herself been dreaming, she could not realize 1t Us he did, and urged him to seek forgetfulncSS in sleep. After while he fell asleep and the dream again came to him with all its previous vividnesS most clearly and distinctly hc heard the voice saving to him, Arise without delay, and % to Bodmin@ ue could no longer rest, and resolved to find for himself whether there was anything more than fancy in il. by immediately setting out for Bod- min. He hurrcdly dressed and then went 10 the paddock adjoining his house that he might catch and saddle his pony, He had some misgiving that il would be d long and difficult task in the night but to his surprise when he reached the field he found the pony at the gate as though waiting for him. He was soon
 in the saddle and at brisk trot started for Bodmin Just then another thought troubled him He remembered that be- tween three and four miles from Ply mouth hc would have to cross wide, deep. tidal river In the daytime a ferryboat was constantly plying there, but during the night the terryhoat was kept on the opposite shore. and he feared that he might not be able to make himself heard. When however, he arrived at the river he found the boat waiting for him. Surprised at this he asked the men why they had remained on that side of the river They said it appeared to them as if some person called "b boat several times; they crossed the river, and not finding any person there, were about to return. when they heard the noise of horses hoois on the hard road Git was clear frosty nightl and determined to wait and see if any person wished to cross This incident tended to confirm his first impression, that there must be purpose in his dream.
 Iu due time he arrived in the town of Bodmin, and after so long ride was glad to seek some refreshment Then the question came to him, why am l here? II" was a perfect stranger, he had never seen that town before. he had not friend in the place. On that oc- casion Bodmin wore an unusually busy appearance for small market town The reason soon became apparent; what are termed the spring assizes. were being held. In such towns the holding of assze is the notable event of the year Having nothing else to do he strollrd into the court He there found himself surrounded by those medieval arrangements which are still supposed in Europe to lend dignity and solemnity to the administration of justice There was the judge on the bench, with his wig of powdered horse-hair hanging over his shoulders, and gorgeously attircd in robe of scarlet and ermine. There were the barristers in wigs and silk gowns, and the various officers of the court ar rayed in their different uniforms There xrou lso thu ,,.ttal crI,uJ nC i,tora.t.l spectators the whole forming an i'm pressive scene
 At the bar there stood the prisoner. man of pale, anxious face. having noth- ing of the appearance of the ordinary felon. The charge preferred against him was that of highway robbery; crime in that day always punished with death.
 Prior to the deacon arrival witnesses had been examined aud cross-cxamined without their testimony being shaken The prisoners case appeared most diff fcult of defence, and it was generally felt that the jury would very speedily arrive at a decision when once it was placed in their hands The jury were charged by the judge, dismissed to con sider the case, and after short ab- sence returned with the verdict of guilty According 10 the custom before pronouncing sentence on the prisoner, the judge asked what he had to say. why the verdict should not be carried out
 In reply to that question the prisoner strongly asserted his innocence, de clared that he was not in that part of the country when the crime was com mitted but many miles away He said there was one man who, if he could meet with him, would be able to attest his innocence. He had never seen him be fore that day, and had not met with him since He told the court. that on the very day the crime with which he was charged was committed. lie was riding on the outside of A stage coach and held a inp, fouyaraation Eat