Year: 1865




charming Many of the Inhabitants were trav.
ersing the highways, enjoying the agreeable
ness of the weather. Among the number
there was tall young man, apparently not
more than twenty Eve years Of age. 10 his
right hand be carried cane, and in his left q
small carpet-bag. His gait was quick, and
from his expression be appeared TO be bent on
some important erraUd. In this manner be
went along occasionally glaneing around to
view the surrounding objects. He had hardly
gone more than o quarter of q mile when be
came to small street, which was in the sub
burbs of the town. He turned and proceeded
up this. Presently, after walking bat short
distance. be came TO an inn. Here be hesita-
ted and, after viewing the exterior, muttered
to himself the following words


1t is very singulr that this is the grst inn
| have seen throughout my route. However,
l will put here"


So saying he entered ths building, aud hav-
ing registered his name, be was shown to q
room. Aften ordering bis dinner. be went to
bis apartment to rest himself His order was
Immediately responded 10 aud after eating he
prepared to retire, intending TO pariake of q
long and hearty sleep, so that early the next
morning be might visit the various merchants
of the town. He accordingly went TO bed, and
was soon wrapt 10 slumber. While thus sleep
I, ing be had a dream that made the strongest
impression on him. We viii give it as from
the lips of the dreamer


al thought that had arrived at the same
town, but in the middle of the evening, which
was really the case that had put up at the
same inn, and gone Immediately. as an unac
quainted stranger would do, in order to see
whatever was worthy OF observation 10 the
place. had gone no great distance when
came to church, which stopped to examine.
After satisfying my curiosity. | advanced 10 q
By path which branched off from the main
street. ObeyiDg an impulse which | could
neither account for nor CONTROL struck into
this path, though it was winding, rough. and
unfrequeuted, and presently reached miser-
able cottage, in front of which was q garden
covered with weeds l had no great difficulty
in getting into tbe garden, for the hedge had
several wide gaps in it. | approached an old
well that stood solitary and gloomy in dis
tant corner; and looking down into it. beheld,
without any possibility of mistake, corpse
which had been stabbed 10 several places.
counted the deep wounds and wide gashes
There we're SIX"


At this moment be awoke with his hair on
end, trembling in every limb, and cold drops
of perspration bedewing his forehead-awoke
to find himself comfortably in bed, his carpet
bag lying near him, and the morning sun beam
ing through his curtain What difference .
He sprang from his bed, dressed himself and
as it was early, sought an appetite for break
fast by mornings walk. He went accord
Ingly into the Streets aud sirolled along. The
farther he went, the stronger became the con-
fused recollection of the objects that presented
themselves TO bis view


it is very strange" said he to himself: II
have never been in this place before, and
could swear that I've seen this house, and the
next and the other on the left"


On be went till he came to q corner OF q
street crossing the one down which be had
come Before long he arrived a. the church
with the architectural features that bad at
trac,ed his notice in the dream and then the
highroad. along which he had pursued his way,
coming at length to the same by path that had
presented itself to his imagination few hours
beiore-tbere was no possibility of doubt or
mistake. Every tree aud every turn was Ia
miliar to bin. he hurried forward, no longer
doubling that the next moment would bring
him TO the cottage and this was really the
case. In all its exterior appearances it corre
sponded with what be bad seen in bis dream.
Who then could wonder that be determined to
ascertain whether the coincidence would hold
good in every point? He entered the garden,
and went directly to the spot where be had
seen The well ; but here the resemblance Jailed
there was none. He looked IN every direc
liop. examined the whole garden, and even
went round the cottage, which seemed to be
inabited; but nowhere could be find any signs
OF well. He then FASTENED back to the inn
in a stafe pf ayciiamant ho rd to describe He
could not make up his mind to allow such ex,
traordinary condolences to pass unnoticed.
But how was be to obtain clue 10 the awful
mystery? He went to the landlord, and asked
him directly to whom the cottage belonged
that was on the by road near to him.


Il wonder, SIR" said be " what causes you
to take such particular notice of that wretched
little howell? 1t is inhabited by an old man
aud his wife who have the character of being
very unsocial. They scarcely ever leave the
house, see nobody, aud nobody goes to see
them. OF late, their very existence seems to
have been forgotten, and | believe you are the
hrst, who, for years, has turned their steps to
the lonely spot"


These details instead of satisfying bis curl
osity only reused it the more. Breakfast was
served, but be could eat none and he felt that
Ii be presented himself to the merchants in
such state of excitement they might think
him mad. He walked up and down the room
and looked out of the window, endeavoring to
interest himself in a quarrel between two men
in the street; but the garden and the cottage
preoccupied his mind and at last snatching
up bis hat be made his way to the street. Has
tening TO the nearest magistrate, be related the
whole circumstance briefly and clearly.
at is very strange" said the officer. :" and
after what has happened, don't think it would
be right to leave the matter without further
Investigation. l will place two of the police
at your command you can then 60 once more
to the hovel, and search every part OF it.
You may. perhaps, make some important dis
covery."


He allowed but very few minutes to elapse
before be was oD bis way. accompanied by the
two officers. After knocking at the door. and
waiting for some time, the old man opened the
door. He received them somewhat uncivlly
but showed DO signs of suspicion when they
told him they wished to search the house.