Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-07-23
GRANDMOTHER'S DREAM.
BY NJ. r. HOUsEKEEPER.

Dl NJ hs liOUsEhEHIEH.
Nanny Wilton closed the book she had
been reading, and lying back upon the
lounge, gazed pensively upon her grand
mother, who sat with her knitting at the
open window, enjoying the waning light
OF the summer day.
1t was very unusual thing for Nanny
to maintain silence when she was neither
reading nor sleeping, but this evening
and, indeed, throughout the whole day,
as her G andmother had noticed-she h ad
been silent and meditative beyond her
wont, and now, when she at last spoke
her remark was prefaccd with long
drawn sigh.
Grandmother, do you think there is
any truth in dreamsl"
''That depends replied her grand
mother. "If you dream tonight that
you go out backbarrying with Cannon's
folk S tomorrow, as l heard you promise
Rose Cannon that you would do l think
it very likely your dream will come
true"
'Oh, | don't mean everyday dreams
like that; but strange, uncommon dreams /;
dreams that make very deep impress
son on you. Don't you think they are
ever sent as warnings"
"CertainIy; as warnings that You have
eaten something for supper which in fu-
ture you would do better to refrain
from"
''No - but earnest, grandmother
you are only joking now; should like to
know what you think about it,"
The old lady glanced sharply over her
spectacles at the inquirer, and there was
a momentary pause in the quick, glanc-
ing needles, as she replied
Tell me first, my DEAR why you
ask"
Nanny sighed again.
81 had such hor.id dream about the
homefolks last night thought NAM
ma and l were making up the children's
bed, and we came across a nest of snakes
at the foot of 1t. Mamma was trying to
get them out, and they were twisting
themselves all around her arms and neck,
and she could not get them off, and |
was so frightened | couldn't help her.
There was lots more of it, but it was all
so mixed up that l could not make a
straight story of it, ii were to try to
tell it; but woke up crying and feeling
dreadfully. told Sally about it when
came down, and she said that it was
always considered very unlucky to dream
about snakes; that it was sure sign of
trouble. You just can't guess, grand
mother, how badly have been feeling
all day. 1t seemed as though | must go
home, put was afraid you would laugh
at me if | told you what was thinking
about
Tears were in Nanny's eyes, and her
distressed face left no doubt of the real
unhappiness she was suffering.
you need not have feared that, child, "
said the old lady, kindly. 81 have not
lived this long witho1t learning that
immaginary troubles are almost as hard
to bear as real ones. Let US see if we can
find any cause for this unpleasant dream
nearer at hand than your sixty mile dis
tant home. You walked all the way to
Oak Grove and back yesterday afternoon.
You came home pretty tired, didn't
youl"
eyes, indeed; tired and hot and hun
cry Don't you remember joking me
about the big supper l ate' And then l
was so tired went to bed as soon as it
was dark. see what you are aiming at,
grandmother. You think there was a
physiological reason for my bad dreamsT'
eyes, and dare say you think so too
now. A tired body and overworked
stomach will amply account for bad
dreams, and if you study the matter a
little further maybe you will be able to
account also for the particular form your
bad Dream took Have you been talk
ing or reading about snakes latelyf Per.
haps you saw one during your walk yes
terdayH
81 did, did," cried Nanny, eagerly.
Grandmother, you are real mind
reader. We came across snake living
across the path the other side of Mitch
ellis Creek. We thought it was a crooke /
stick till we got close up to it, when il
raised its head with hiss, and glided
off into the bushes. I was dreadfully
startled, though / knew it was harm.
less thing. Herb Cannon wanted to GO
after it to kill it, but Ro and | would
not let him. Of course that accounts foI
my dream How SLY | have been to al
low such thing to worry me | don't
believe l should have thought so much
about it if it hadn't been for what Sally
said"
"Sally is an excellent cook, but
don't have much faith in her cabalstiC
powers, " said the old lady, dryly.
"No, of course not,n Nanny said
laughing little, but blushing too Hel
face had regained its usual happy Sc
renity, but she sat quiet for some time be.
fore she spoke again.
''You are very old, grandmother six.
ty-five, aren't you2 A whole half century
older than | am. You must be able to
remember back nearly sixty years. Now,
honest, haven't you ever in all that time,
had dream that was really prophetici
One that affected in any way your actual
life, you knowW
The old lady'sface had grown thought.
full; dreamy, far away look camo into
her eyes and though the knitting-nee-
dies did not cease their click, their mo
tion had grown slower and more me.
chanical.
"Well, yes" she said at last, half-re
luctantly, II did have very singular
dream once, and one which had, as YOU
suggest, considerable effect upon my