The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-23
REMARKABLE DREAMS.

One That Troubled John G. Calhoun's Sleep
When He Was Preaching Notification.
The most remarka BILE dream / have
ever heard Of was that which was said
to have been related by John c. Calhoun
to Bob Toombs and others at just about
the time when he was preaching multi
fcation and secession in South Carolina.
Calhoun told the story, it was said, at
breakfast party. He was observed to
be continually brushing his right hand
in a nervous way when Mr.. Toombs
asked:
What is the matter with your hand,
senator? Does it pain you?" Mr.. CAL
houn put his hand under the table. An
annoyed frown came over his face and
he then jerked it quickly out again,
saying: There's nothing the matter
with my hand, only 1 had a peculiar
dream last night which makes me see
an indelible black spot like an ink
blotch on the back of it. I know it is
an optical illusion, but can't help see
ing it,
Senator Calhoun did not continue and
Bob Toombs asked: But what was
your dream like, senator? I am not
superstitious, but think there is some
times great deal of truth in dreams"
Calhoun turned shade paler and
then said: 81 don't object to telling
you. 1t was, it seems to me, absurd in
the extreme. I dreamed that l was in
my room writing and that | had given
orders that no one should disturb me.
While / was in the busiest part of my
work the door opened and a visitor en-
tered. He did not speak a word and to
my surprise and indignation he calmly
took seat on the other side of the table
opposite me- As / looked at him over
the top of my lamp L saw that he was
wrapped in a thin cloak which effectu-
ally concealed his features. | started
to speak, when he broke in in solemn
tones with:
What are you writing, senator from
South Carolina?"
Strange to say, the question did not
seem impertinent to me and l replied:
i am writing a plan for the dissolution
of the American union
''As 1 said this the man went on:
Senator from South Carolina, will you
let me look at your right hand" L
started to hold out my hand. The figure
arose, the cloak fell and beheld his
face. Gentlemen, that face struck me
like thunder-clap. 1t was the face of
a dead man and the features were those
of Gen. Washington. He was dressed
in revolutionary costume and"
Here Mr.. Calhoun paused and Bob
Toombs, who was very much excited,
asked:
'Well, what did he say?"
Mr.. Calhoun replied: II tried to keep
back my hand but could not do it. 1
rose to my feet and extended it to him.
He grasped it and held it near the light
and after looking at it moment he
said: And, senator from South Caro-
lima, would you with this right hand
sign your name to a paper dissolving
the union?'
"'Yes,' replied, if needs be I will
sign such a declaration
'Well, gentlemen, at that moment
black blotch appeared on the back of
my hand and it frightened me and l
said to the ghost: WHAT is that?' That
replied he, dropping my hand, is the
mark by which Benedict Arnold is
known in the next world And with
that he drew from beneath his cloak
skeleton and laid it upon the table.
There said he, ARE the bones of Isaac
Hayne, who was hanged at Charleston.
He gave up his life in order to esta blish
the union. When you put your name to
a declaration of dissolution you may as
well have the bones of Isaac Hayne as
your own.
"'He was South Carolinian and so
are you But there was no blotch on
his right hand. With these words the
ghost left the room and l awoke. I
found myself sitting at my table, but
the dream was so vivid that | can still
see the blotch on my hand. San Fran
cisco Examiner