Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-16


dark-brown nair. The dress was mad
very low, according 10 the fashion. bu
she w2re a scarf OF delicate lace ..sntl,
crossed over her bosom and fastened
with rose, for she was as modest as sh'
was lovely.
Later In the evening I saw my brothe
and Miss Conyers dancing together. an,
everybody. even the old Chief Justice. wa
admiring them and declaring that the,
had never seen a handsomer couple.
Some people deny that there IL such Z
thing as love al first sight. But my con
victIon is that by some mysterious inhu
| ence which may possibly be called destiny
these two loved each other from tho mo-
ment In which their eyes hrst met thinh
II was so with Miss Conyers, and / know
II was so with james.
This is why have mentioned the Gam
bic party-to let you know how they first
met and how sudden was the attachment
between them: as though by some mystic
rions fate II had been preOr1ained.
This was the first party OF the season,
| and others followed In quick succession.
II was the gayest winter that Richmond
had ever known and often We went from
| one entertainment to another and even 70
| a third on the same evening. There was
dancing for the young people and cards
| for the old. a fanatical Methodist preach
morrah. and predicted for ifs gay and sin
fu inhabitants a speedy and terrible
punishment We only laughed at this.
Distinguished strangers came among us,
and beautiful women from other States,
but Miss COnycrs remained the ac-
knowledged belle. Her aunt Mrs. Gale
go. was bent upon her accepting one Of her
many brilliant offers of marriage, but she
would not consent. Though my brothers
Of ~ laV G
generally understood that he was a favor
ed lover. and when at length 1t became
publicly known that the two were en-
gagged everybody but her ambitious aunt
was delighted.
II was arranged that the marriage
should take place in a very short time.
and preparations for IL were at once COM
menced. But these were speedily put an
end to by James Unexpectedly receiving
an order TO report for duty a Norfolk.
1t was great sorrow and disappointment
to us ALL though chiefly. of course. to the
lovers. James urged that the marriage
should take place at once but Mrs. Gal
lego objected, saying that they were
young enough TO afford TO wait until his
return.
a PROPHETIC DREAM.
This was just before Christmas. We
had at that time fine company Of play
ers in Richmond. and theatre-g going was
a popular and fashionable amusement
This was what is now called a star com
pany, and consisted. beside others, Of
Mr.. Placide. Mr. Green, and Mr. Young,
with their handsome and talented wives
all frst-class actors OF the day. Mr. and
Mrs. Poe had belonged 70 it, but AIr. Poe !
had just died in Norfolk and his wife |
was now lying iii IN Richmond. She was |
kindly cared for by our neiehbors Mrs. |
John Allan and Mrs. Mackenzie. who |
adopted her orphan children. How far
we were from dreaming that little Edgar |
Poe was destined 10 become a great poet
On Chrstmas-Eve the theatre managers |
announced the play of Hamlet" for the
lay after Christmas with the after-piece
)f THE Bleeding Nun" The last was |
said TO be a thrilling performance. and II
was agreed that we should all witness it,
Aha. Chustmas-Day was the gayest we
lad ever known. Every house was thrown
'pen, In the profuse hospitality of the
INES, and there was much informal visit
ne. with feasting and drinking Of
leaiths and exchange Of Christmas gifts:
md in the evening music and dancing. 1
ave still the great silyer-rlmmed punch
'owl which stood in our hall offering
'hristmas cheer 10 every arriving and
departing guest.
/
n the disguise OF old-time mummers and
which occasioned much
musemeut But when they would have
old Sally Conyers's fortune with cards
he shrank from 30 with an almost super
utiOus dread, saying that she had always
ad horror of having her fortune told |
ven in jest.
1t was on this day that my brother
amess portrait was completed There
hangs on the wall beside those Of my
ather ana mother. We remarked that In
wing the finishing touches the artist,
lr. Sully, UnintentiOnally changed the
primer expression and caught something
T that tender sadness which naturally |
nough marked his countenance at this
inc. on the eve of parting with all whom |
e. most loved. The next day was 10 be
is last at home, and though we did all
e could 90 cheer him he remained very
ient and evidently depressed.
On the following day, December 25th.
'e had an engagement to dine at Colonel
lagos seat, The Hermitage At break
ist James remarked that he would not |
g able to 90, having important business
, attend to. He appeared so restless and
neasy that my mother inquired if he
ere not well.
You will all laugh at me-" he answered.
le dream. l could not have believed that
mere dream could so impress one" !
Mother said something about night
rare, and father remarked that sailors
ere proverbially supcrstiuous. but that !
q wOGid never have suspected James Of /
lat weakness My sister Bess and | in. !
stcd upon hearing the dream. and h. j
'mewhat reluctantly told it.
lie seemed. he said, to be standing be- !
re closed door, about 20 enter, yet
'nscious of the presence Of some vague |
rklng horror within. Something seemed p
tying him TO keep back: but seeing the c
Dor slowly open he stepped in and found l.
mself in in q great hail. dark and en-
rely empty After advancing some steps c
? turned back, when he saw behind tue
)or face-a mans Understanding out u
the gloom as II illumincd with q pale. i
r'o light. though all around was pro-
unG darkness. The eyes were intently
led upon him. and he at once felt him o
IL seized with an indescribable ana y
horror. lie would have es- a
'ped. but the door closed in his face. a
lutting him I'm with that awful pres. Z
zee. Starting from MS sleep. he found C
msef bathed in a cold perspiration and v
lder the influence Of q horror such as II
? had never before conceived Of lie | I
lded r.
i have had that dream before, though II
her and where l cannot recall. But Ii o.
ems TO haunt me-" 81
Mother reminded him Of his late supper b
st night, at which ne only laughed. and | b
Their remarked how a bad dream will :,
metimes make such an impression as 10 b.
cur again and again untn gradually 5
rgotten. Then, as We rose from the W
bic, ran across the street with a mes s,