The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-08-10
A STRANGE STORY.

understand and cannot explain.
was not rs boy particularly diiieren,
from other bows Of my age. Perhaps
was more fond Of books and reading than
the average. but that | inherited from
both parents. and am afraid that ! was
sot nj all particular about the quallty,
.ithcr-dime novels. Scott, ancient history
or Smollett-cverything that came in my
way.
One thing was great source of trouble
10 me as grew older and has remained a
great mystery until this day. IL was
this: was often invoke out of sound
sleep by somebody speaking my name.
At first it frightened me. and later
would spring ont of bed. and, striking
light, search everywhere. but nothing
could be seen. Then | tried locking my
door. but it made no difference; the
voice" or voices, whatever they might
be. were still there.
told my father, but he only laughed.
and advised me to sec doctor
And now the voices, if anything, be
came more frequent. until they came to
be an old story, and was 10 years of age
when the events | am about totell you of
took place
We lived in the college town of C,
and, being well-to-do people, moved IN
the best society of the place; for, you
know that, no matter how small place may
be- it has its grades of society, and there
Is ALWAYS "the best" Father had been a
professor. but i'll health obliged him to
give up teaching; and with fair income,
in congenial neighborhood, his last days
aao,,.I a., Ia t,loaganf IL a
great source of grief to him that his only
son would not enter college. But on tins
point was obstinate, and finding that
was so opposed to a college life. he-bless
his heart finally gave in, and | entered
the counting room of Il wholesale house IN
the city.
And sister Nellie-she was not a
beauty as we Judge of beauty; but she
was bright, lively and happy-like sun
shine wherever she went. Every face
frightened when she came near old and
young had only words of praise for Miss
Nellie"
She was great favorite with the col
lcge boys and many quarrel did they
have on her account Yet she showed no
preference for any. When | joked her
about them, she would laugh, and, put
ting her arms about my neck, say: You
dear old brother, you are worth more
than the whole lot"
Nellie, darling sister Nellie, how
loved herl And she-well, nobody ever
had such brother, and no lover found
favor in her eyes when brother Will
was around
1t YVES in 1851 Fort Sumter had been
fired upon and taken, South Carolina had
decided to leave the Union, and war was
declared Everybody was full of excite
ment and among the rest. begged my
father to let me enlist, for. not being OF
age. | could not without his consent; but
he refused. though his eyes flashed as he
read the papers, and in his impotence
longcd to be young again. lie could not
give his only SON
remember so well when he placed mis-
hand on my shoulder and, pointing
through the open door where my mother
sat reading, shook his head and left me.
But those days-who Of US can ever
forget theml The spring and summer
passed by, and those who had said that
the war would be over in a few months
began TO lose confidence in their own pre-
dictions and as winter came on they,
with the rest of us accepted the sad fact
that it was TO be long, hard struggle.
Both sides were brave and determined.
Nellie was very enthusiastic and very
patriotic; she sympathized with me in my
desire to fight for my country; and yet,
after one of those long talks TO cheer me
up, she would--woman like-spoil it all
by putting her arms about me, and ex
claiming, mo, no, brother Viii; we can't
let you go"
How busy she was in those days doing
everything for the comfort of those who
were fighting and cheering those who
were left behind. Many were the bless
ings that were called down upon her for
her words of comfort and her other acts
OF more substantial nature.
One day in December was sitting in
my Office at work, or, rather, | should
have been ut work; but feeling OF I'M
easiness possessed mo without any ap-
parent cause, and had laid down my pen
and was looking out of the window,
watching the people pass and thinking of
nothing in particular did not know
what was the matter with me; only felt
uneasy. Suddenly | heard a voice at
my side speak as those voices" never
had before: "Williel Williel"
Isprang from my seat so thoroughly
frightened that the other clerks noticed
it. and fearing was going to faint, came
TO my assistance.
Did any Of them speak TO mel
No.
Did they hear any one ca II my name?
No.
Ii was nearly o'clock, and knowing
that could do no more work that day, !
put on my hat and coat and went home.
/ cannot tell you how felt. wish words
could express it, but as ! neared home |
knew something had happened. ! went
In. Everything seemed as usual. Father
sat in his library. and nodded as passed
by. and mother kissed me rs she always
did when ] came home at night.
Where's Nellief' / asked
"Sho went down TO Mrs Browns, at
the further end of the town, this after
noon. You know her husband is in tho
hospital at Washington, and she is going
70 him. So Nellie went to see If sho