Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-07-15
HIS VISION.

1t was during storm one night on All
Halloween that stopped at little inr
kept by an old scotch woman. Naturally,
after dinner, we got to talking about spells,
and as she knew great many consented
to try one. Then l went to bed to dream
of my future home.
At last slept-how long do not know
but sound awoke me. opened my ey es
and by a faint blue light-the regular ghost
ly thing-saw figure bending over me. L
was that of a woman. never forgot hel
features. She was very young. very hand
some, wrapped from head foot in something
long and gray. She stopped over me, kiss
ed me upon my forehead once, twice, three
times; then uttered low scream and van
ished. Jumped to my feet and hurried to
the door. 1t was bolted as had left it.
I returned to bed, convert to the Hal
low eve superstition, and did not sleeI
again that night.
I was off rather early the next morning,
but 1 saw the old lady and told her had
seen my fate, which she heard as seriously
as had told it.
However, nothing came of it for some
time. A year or two passed, and met nc
one in the least resembling my spirit, who
had beautiful dimple in each cheek, an
other in her chin, black eyes and curling
golden hair, and had almost resolved that
I had simply had vivid dream, when one
day-by the way, it was at an agriculture
fair-I saw that face looking at me across
table of prize pears and peaches. There
was no mistake in the matter. was 81
sure as though had been familiar with il
all my life. I inquired of one or two peo-
pie who the lady was, and finally was told
hot cho ho dounhtnr of tho rQ
cipient of prizs for pumpkins-an amateur
who had entered the contest for glory-and
was offered an introduction to him. l ao
cepted it with joy, and went into ecstace'
over hts exhibit. The result was what
hoped for.
Twas introduced to Miss Helen, his young
est daughter, and, as we had mutual friends
found no difficulty in cementing the &C
quaintance.
We were friends at once, betrothed lover
before long and married in year. Fat
had so ordained it and l was thankful
fate. had not told my story yet, but dnr
ing our honeymoon became convinced tha
she would not laugh at it, and began tn
narration one day, with my arm about be
waist and those golden curls on my should
ers.
"Helen," l said, "Heavan intended yo1
for me. Yoa were borh to be my other hall
and must have 10 secrets from yod.
am going to tell you something you nigh
once have thought foolish; you will no
now. Do you know little hotel on th
road to -, an old colonial house, in goo
preservation, kept at present by Scotch
man named McLure?'
She interrupted me with a laugh.
''Indeed do" said said .'Since cor
fessions are in order, Let me confess. Fiv
years ago I stopped there"
$50 did T." said.
She laughed.
SIT was on the last night of October
ALL -Hallow eve," she said. "The old lapt
lady talked to us about it-father an
myself-over our supper, until I almost b.
lieved it was all true" And 1 went to be
quite determined to eat the apple before th
glass. Well, did, bnt slept and sa'
nothing. We were going to Europe, fatht
and l, and this was only halt for th
night because of the storm, and to get
the steamer we had to rise at 4 10 the morr
ing. Father sleeps heavily, and told Mi
Mcclure that would be obliged to awake
him by shaking him. All right, my dear
she said, you'll be in the next room 10 tt
left, just pull the bolt and 60 in,'
"a knock on the door was all I neede
and it came at the right time.
81 jumped up, put on my gray travelin
cloak, took the blue-glass lantern, thu
served for night lamp, pulled the bolt an
went into the room.
"Father was snugly tucked mp and
seemed shame to shake him awake; but
must do it. So Just stopped down an
kissed him two or three times on his fors
head to sweaten tba shakes- Well, m
dear, IL really am blnshing now-I did
and then looked. and it wasu't father afte
all, but very young man with very no
brown moustache. His eyes were open an
he looked full at me.
Il shrieked, aud ran back to my ROOT
and bolted the door. had mistaken left fe
right, somehow. Father slept on the othe
side.
''After getting my breath cautiously Al
certained..where he really was and awakene
him. But I was so glad to get away out
the house-so very glad! What the ma
lmust have thought of mev'