Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-01
"GO TO THE MILLS"

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Eight years ago was foreman N the
Guiltord powder works
IL was dangerous situation, and not
altogether as pleasant As it might have
bsen. But the salary was larger than
could obtain II any other place just
then, and this, 10 q man with an invalid
mother and little sister to support,
WA no mean object Besides hoped at
no very distant day 10 have q home of
my own, presided over by the girl of my
choice-beautiful Marion Ware. This
dream OF happiness in the future made
mo better contented with my life. /
was willing to work for q competence
that she would share with me.
We were 10 DO married in November,
and as the time drew near an intense de-
sure seized me 10 escape from the mo-
mentous. dangerous existence l led In
the mills. A few weeks would make no
difference 10 my employers, l thought.
and 50 when gave my notice to leave
j gave IL for the l4th Of September in
stead OF November, as l had first IN
tended
My employers were very sorry to part
with me, and they offered TO raise my
salary, but l had decided and was not
20 be turned from my decision. The last
day Of my stay passed quietly enough.
and at night | left the dark buildings
behind me with thrill Of relief.
That was happy evening. Marion
had been spending the afternoon with
my mother. and l had walked home
with her, and it was near midnight when
got home. Soon after | fell asleep,
bat my rest was troubled. supposed
must have been dreaming, but IT seemed
vivid reality TO me then.
| was standing in the thick forest
which surrounded the works, at the
very point where the path TO, the village
diverged and led it over the hill and
through the field TO the mills. 1t was in
q wild. dreary path, for il was necessary
that the mills should be removed as far
from any human habitation as possible,
and there was no more fitting spot than
the valley of despair" for miles around.
There was a struggle in my mind;
thought could not decide which path to
take-the one leading into the distant
village or the old accustomed one to the
mills. While I was sitting heard q
voice, clear, solemn and strong, that
seemed to come from the ends Of the
sarth. and it said:
$50 TO the mills! Your work Is not
yet finished"
I awoke. The moon was shining
coldly In at tha window, the great arms
pf tho Gins moved slowly to and fro in
the night wind, and q lonely cricket
chirped in the wainscot. lay down
again, thinking Of little but my dream.
save to rejoice it was only dream, and
shortly after fell asleep.
Again was that vision repeated with
singular minuteness, circumstance for
circumstances, and again I swoke. /
thought it extremely remarkable that l
should dream twice ON the same matter,
but explained it TO myself that / had
besn thinking 90 much Of my departure
from the mills. 1t was a coincidence,
nothing more, said, and turning over 1
Boon lost my consciousness
For the third time that haunted dream
visited me, and this repetition was
almost frightfully vivid. Everything
about It bore 30 strongly the semblance
Of reality that / started up covered with
cold perspiration.
The moon had gone down, the dawn
was breaking in the east cold and gray.
I am not superstitious, and Will confess
That an involuntary shudder swept over
me when / recollected what / had
passed. I tried to shake of the spell
that was on my spirit, but In vain: it
was as If had walked world lost to all
humanity forever.
rose, and dressing myself went down
10 work in the garden. was restless
and uneasy. laboring under conscious
ness OF some duty unfulflled-
At last put down my hoe and went
Into the house. / put on my mill clothes
and sought my mother. She looked up
In surprise as / said:
Mother. am going TO the mills"
Indeed. I had hoped you were done
going there. Edward Yesterday was
the f4th. was it mott"
Eyes; but feel obliged to 60 today.
My work is not yet done: it viii be FIN
lshed soon. l think
kissed her aad went out. At the
door Of the grinding mill l met Mr.. Nor
ton, the senior proprietor. He grasped
my hand eagerly.
"Ah. Green. glad TO see you'll What's
shis hear about your leaving us? Lin
roln was speaking about it last night
Why. we couldn't part with you at all"
IT did give notice to leave last night.
and intended yesterday for my last day
In the mill. but circumstances have de
rided me 70 remain some time longer-a
month. perhaps.
fright: only you must set no time
Thank you: win think of it,
said. and went on with my duties as
usual.
Everything went quietly on in its &C
sustomed routine. began to smile at
The Ahsurdity Of my last nights vision.
81 had eaten too much supper; stsid
out too loag whispering soft nothings 70
Marion said 20 myself.
Toward night party Of visitors ar
rived Such things were frequent,
Newark wss somewhat Of . summer
resort for city people. and = sojourn
khare was not complete without . visit