The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1894-01-05
go TO THE MILLS"

1ullluIu HbMhbi Wblhn
1t was dangerous situation, and not
altogether as pleasant as it might have
been. But the salary was larger than !
could obtain in any other place just
then, and this to a man with an invalid
mother and little sister to support,
was no mean object, Besides hoped at
no very distant day to have home Of
my own, presided over by the girl Of my
choice--,beautiful Marion Ware. This
dream Of happiness in the future made
me better contented with my life, |
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-
mentous, dangerous existence | led in
the mills, A few weeks would make no
difference TO my employers, thought,
and 80 when gave my notice TO leave
gave it for the l4th Of September in
stead Of November, as | had first in
tended.
My employers were very sorry to part
with me, and they offered to raise my
salary, but had decided and was not
TO 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 II happy evening. Marion
had been spending the afternoon with
my mother, and had walked home
with her, and 1t was near midnight when
| got home Soon after fell asleep,
but 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
divergcd and led it over the hill and
through the field TO the mills. 1t was in
wild, dreary path, for it 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 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 was sitting heard a
voice, clear solemn and strong, that
seemed to come from the ends of the
earth, and it snid:
$50 to the millsl Your work is not
yet finished"
awolse The moon was shining
soldly in ut the window, the great arms
Of the elms moved slowly to and fro in
the night wind and lonely cricket
chirped in the wainscot. ! lay down
again thinking of little but my dream,
save to rejoice it was only a dream, and
shortly after fell asleep,
Again was that vision repeated with
singular minuteness, circumstance for
circumstance, and again | awoke. Il
thought 1t extremely remarkable that
should dream twice on the same matter,
but explained it to myself that | had
been thinking so much Of my departure
from the mills. 1t was coincidence,
nothing more, said, and turning over
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 superstitious, and | will confess
that an involuntary shudder swept over
me when reoollected what | had
passed. | tried to shake off the spell
that was on my spirit, but in vain; it
was as il had walked world lost to all
humanity forever.
! rose, and dressing myself went down
to 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! had hoped you were done
going there, Edward, Yesterday was
the 18th, was it not2"
"Yes; but feel obliged to go today.
Mv xuorlY 10 nnt vat dana. ~ will ha An