The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-03-23
go TO THE MILLS"

been. But the salary was larger than /
could obtain in any other place just
then. and this, 10 a man with an Invalid
mother and a little sister to support,
was no mean object. Besides hoped at
no very distant day to hove home OF
nv own. presided over by the girl of my
choioe-beautiful Marion Ware. This
dream of happiness in the future made
me better contented with my life. l
was willing to work for competence
that she would share with me.
We were to be married in November,
and as the time drew near an intense de-
sire seized me to escape from the mo-
1nentous. dangerous existence 1 led IN
the mills. A few weeks would make no
difference TO my employers, l thought,
and 50 when gave my notice TO leave
I gave it for the 18th of September IN
stead Of November, as l had first IN
tended
NV employers were very sorry 10 part
with me. and they offered TO raise my
salary. but L had decided and was not
10 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
nv mother, and | had walked home
with her, and it was near midnight when
4 got home. Soon after l fell asleep,
but my rest was troubled. | supposed
anust have been dreaming, but 1t seemed
q 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 held TO the mills. IC was IN
a wild, dreary path, for it was necessary
that the mills should be removed as far
from anv human ha0itation as possible,
and there WAS no more fitting spot than
the valley of despair" for allies around.
There was a struggle IN nay 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 | was sitting l heard a
voice, clear, solemn and strong, that
seemed to come from the ends of the
earth, and it said:
Go to the mills! Yourwork Is not
yet finished"
| awoke. The moon was shining
coldly in at the window, the great arms
of the elms moved slowly to and fro in
the night wind, and lonely cricket
chirped in the wainscot. l lay down
again, thinking of little but nay dream,
save to rejoice it was only dream, and
shortly after fell asleep.
Again was that vision repeated with
singular minuteness, circumstance for
circumstance, and again l awOke. |
thought it extremely remarkable that l
should dream twice on the same matter,
but explained it to myself that L had
been thinking SO much of my departure
from the mills 1t was a coincidence,
nothing more, said, and turning over l
soon lost my consciousness.
For the third time that haunted dream
visited me, and this repetition was
almost frightfully vivid. Everything
about it bore SO 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.
] am not superstirious, and viii confess
that an involuntary shudder swept over
me when l recollected what | had
passed. | tried to shake Off 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
TO work in the garden. | was restless
and uneasy, laboriEg under conscious
ness of some duty unfulhlied.
AT last put down my hoe and went
into the house. pat on my mill clothes
and sought my mother. She looked up
IN surprise as / said:
Mother, am going to the mills"
Indeed! mai hoped you were done
going there, Edward. Yesterday was
the 14th, was 1t no,:'
''Yes; but ! Leel obliged to go today.
My work is not yet done; it viii be fin
ished soon, think
kissed her and went out. At the
door Of the grinding mill met Mr. Nor
ton, the senior proprietor. He grasped
my hand eagerly.
"Ah, Green. glad TO see you! What's
this hear about your leaving US? Lin,
coin was speaking about 1t last night
Why, we couldn't part with You at all.
i did give notice to leave last night
and intended yesterday for my last day
IN the mill; but circumstances have de-
cided NE 10 remain some time longer-s
month. perhaps"
Right; only You must set no time"
Thank you; | will think of it."
said. and Went on with my duties a.
usual
Everything went quietly on in Its &C
customsi routine. | began to smile a
the absurdity of my last nights vision
Il had eaten too much supper; staiC
out too long whispering soft nothings Il
Marion sand 10 myself.
Toward night "a party of visitors ar
rived. Such things were frequent
Newark was somewhat of a summer
resort for city people, and sojourI
there was not complete without visi
10 the powder mills
] went out to meet this parry and I
assist sheIn II changing their snoez-Sn
garments that nieht have buttons G
any metallic substance. Tor it was one c
the cardinal regulations that no perso
should be allowed in the interior mill
who had a particle OF metal about then
or nails Ia their shoes, for the fear [
combustion by friction.
Cur visitors were two gentlemen an
III Il IL. 1