Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-03-28

therefore, down stairs ana turned loWaiOs
the place, but when he got there the I'M
known had disappeared. The door re-
manned fast barred and bolted; there was
no other mode of exit; yet the being,
whatever he might be, was gone. lie
unfastened the door and looked out Ito
the fields. 1t was a hazy, moonlght
night, so that the eye could distingui a
objects at some distance. He thought lle
saw the unknown in footpath that lea
from the door. He was not mistaken;
but how had he got out of the house. lie
did not pause TO think, but followed on.
The old man proceeded at measured
pace, without looking about him, his
footsteps sounding on the hard ground.
He passed through the orchard of apple
trees that stood near the house, alwaIs
keeping the footpath. 1t led 70 wei,
situated in a little hollow, which had
supplied the farm with water. just &C
this well Dolph lost sight of him. lie
rubbed his eyes and looked again; but
nothing was to be seen of the unknown.
He reached the well, but nobody was
there. All the surrounding ground was
open and clear; there was no bush nor
hiding place. He looked down the well
and saw, at a great DEPTH the reelection
of the sky in the still water. After re-
manning here for some time, without Hce-
ing or hearing anything more of his
mysterious conductor, he returned TO the
house full of awe and wonder. lie
bolted the door, CROPPED his way bacli to
bed, and it was long before he could
compose himself TO sleep.
His dreams were strange and troubled.
He thought he was following The old man
along the side Of great river, until they
came to a vessel that was on the point Of
sailing; and that his conductor led him on
board and vanished. He remembered
the commander of the vessel, short,
svarthy man, with crisped black hair,
blind of one eye and lame of one leg: but
the rest Of his dream was very confused.
Sometimes he was sailing; sometimes on
shore; now amidst storms and tcmpcsts,
and now wandering quietly in unknown
streets. The figure Of the old man Was
strangely mingled up with the incidents
of the dream, and the whole distinctly
wound UP by his finding himself on
board of the vessel again, returning home
with great bag of money!
When he woke the gray, cool light of
dawn was streaking the horizon, and the
cocks passing the reveil from farm to
farm throughout the country. He rose
more harassed and perplexed than ever.
He was singularlY confounded By all that
he had seen and dreamt, and began 10
doubt whether bis mind was not affected
and whether all that was passing ia his
thoughts might not be mere feverish fan
tasy. In his present state Of mind he
did not feel disposed to return immedi-
ately to the doctors and undergo the
cross questioning of the household. He
made scanty breakfast, therefore, -
the remains Of the last nights provisions,
and then wandered out into the fields to
mediate on all that had Detailed him.
Lost in thought. lac rambled about. grad
ually approaching the town, until the
was far advanced. when he was
reused by a hurry and hustle around
him. He found himself near the waters
edge in n throng Of people, hurrying TO q
pier. where there was a vessel ready 90
mako sail. lie was unconsciousiy car
ried along by the impulse Of the crowd.
and found that il was a sloop, on the
point Of sailing up the Hudson TO Al |
5any. There was much leave taking and /
kissing of old women and children, and |
great activity in carrying on board has- /
III kinds. notwithstanding the mighty |
Joints of meat that dangled over The /
stern, for q voyage to Albany was an cx- I
oodluon of great moment In those days. /
The commander Of the sloop was hurry |
NJ about and giving world of orders, /
which were not very strictly attended TO, |
1ne man being busy in lighting his pipe t
md another In sharpening his smoker /
inec.
Tho appearance of tho commander sud /
lcnly caught Dolph'5 attention. He was
hort and Gwarthy, with crisped black 4
lair; blind of one eye and lame of one /
cg-the very commander that lac had 1
cen IL his dream! Surprised and aroused,
ne considered the scene moro attentivcly
md recalled still further traces of his /
lream: the appearance Of the vessel, of
he river. and Of a variety of other OBJ
Gets accorded with the imperfect images
-aguely rising 10 recollection.
As he stood muGing on these circum-
tances the captain suddenly called out
0 him in Dutch. step on hoard, young
nan. or you'll be left behindv' He was
tartlcd by the summons; he saw that
he sloop was cast loose and was actually
moving from the pier; it seemed rs II he
vas actuGted by some Irresistible i'm
'ulse; he sprang upon the decl., and the
text moment the sloop was hurried of
" the wind and tide. Dolph's thoughts
nd feelings were all in tumult and con-
usion. He had been strongly worked
Ipon by the events that had recently be-
allen him, and could not but nix that
here was some connection between his
resent situation and his last nights
Lream. He felt as if he was under SUI
influence, and he tried to as
ure himself with an old and favorite
maxim of his, that Zone way or other,
II would turn out for the best" For a
loment the Indignation of the doctor at
is departure without leave passed across
is mind, but that was matter Of little
loment. Then he thought of the dis
ress of his mother at his strange disap-
earance, and the idea gave him sud
en- pang; he would have entreatcd to be
ut on shore, but he knew with such
ind and tide the entreaty would have
cen in vain. Then the inspiring love of
ovelty and adventure came rushing in
all tide through his bosom; he felt him J
IF launched strangely and suddenly on
ne world, and under full way TO explore