Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1878 — A STRANGE DREAM. [ARTICLE]

A STRANGE DREAM.

The Consequences Which Flowed From It. When I was about 12 years of ago, I was invited by Mrs. Hall, my godmother, to pay her a visit before going to a boarding-school, where I was to remain for a few years. My mother had died when I was very young, and my father thought it better for me to be at a nice school, where I would be among girls of my own age, than in the house with only his sister and himself. Mrs. Hall was very fond of me; she had no children of her own, and, hail my father consented, she and Mr. Hall would have taken me to live with them entirely. It was a lovely day in June when I arrived at my godmother’s, and she was delighted to see me. The house was beautifully situated on high ground, surrounded by grand old trees, and at one side was a flower-garden. One morning godmother said to me: “Come up-stairs with me, Lilian, and I will show you some Indian jewels that my uncle left me lately.” She opened the drawer of an inlaid s mdal-wood cabinet and took out a small case, in which were a pair of ear-rings, a brooch and necklet of most beautiful diamonds. I thought I had never seen anything so beautiful before. “My dear Lilian,” said she, “I intend to give you these on your 16th birthday. I see, however, there is a stone loose in one of the ear-rings, so I will take it into town and have it repaired.” She folded it up carefully and put it in her purse; the case with the other diamonds she put in one of the drawers of her dressing-glass. After lunch Mr. and Mrs. Hull took me with them to the town, which was about four miles distant. The ear-ring was left at the jeweler’s, and, as we were to spend the day at a friend’s bouse, we arranged *to call for it on our way back. But you will say, what has all this to do with your dream? Well, wait a little and you will see. We spent a pleasant day, called for the ear-ring on our way, and arrived home about half-past 9 o’clock. As I was taking off my bonnet godmother caire into the room. Lilian,” said she, “ I cannot And the ease of diamonds anywhere. Did I not leave it in the drawer in mv dressingglass before I went out ? I went to put in the other ear-ring now, and it was not t.iere. Who can have takes it ?” You certainly left it in the dressingglass drawer,” I said. “Could any of the servants have taken it, do vou think ?” J “lam sure they would not,” she answered. “Lhave had them with me for and never missed anything before.” ° “ Are there any strangers about that could have come in through the window ?” “No, Lilian; there are no strangers about the place except the gardener, and he seems a most respectable man. I got a very high character of him from his last place; in fact, we were told he was a most trustworthy person.” Next day there was a wonderful commotion about the missing jewel-case. The-police were sent for, and every place was searched over and over again, but to no purpose. One thing, however, puzzled us; On the window-sill was a footmark, and near the dressing-table a little bit of earth, as if from a shoe or boot, which led us to think that the thief must have come in through the widdhw. But how did he get up to it? It was a good height from the grotiud, and the creeping plants were not in the least broken, as would have been the case had any one climbed up by them. A ladder must have been employed, and it was little to the credit of the police that this tact had not been properly considered. As the matter stood it was a mystery and seemed likely to remain so, and only one ear-ring was left of the valuable set.

In a few days I left for school, where I remained for four years. I spent every vacation between my home and my godmother's. We often spoke of the stolen diamonds, but nothing had ever been heard of them, though a reward of fifty pounds had been offered by Mr. Hall for any information that would lead to the detection of the thief. On my 16th birthday my godmother gave me a beautiful watch and chain and the diamond ear-ring which she had got arranged as a. necklet “I am so sorry, Lilian,” said she, “ that I have not the rest of those diamonds to give you; but, if ever they are found, they shall be yours, my dear.” ‘ I must now pass over six years, which went by quietly and happily, nothing very important taking place until the last year, during which time I had been

married. My husband was a barrister. We lived in the North at W'UflapdE < Mil mother-in Haw, Mrs. one of her daughters, lived some miles away from us near the seacoast. It was a very lonely place, a Jong way frpmjhe little fishing town, or rather of Burnley. I confess I often felt very Servous about Mrs. Benson and her aughtef fiving alone (her husband being dead for many years). Except three women servants in the house* and the coachman and his family who livest in the lodge, there was no one nearer than Burnley, four miles off. Beside, it was known that there was a large quantity of plate in the house; and the little seaside village was often the resort of smugglers and other wild and lawless characters. One day, while thinking of them, I felt so uneasy that I said to my, husband: “I hope, Henry, there is nothing wrong with your mother; she has been in my mind all day. ” “ Oh,” said he, “ why should you feel anxious about her to-day ? I saw her Tuesday; and, if she were ill, Mary would be sure to let us know. It is only one of your ‘ fancies,’ little wife.” Still I did not feel easy, for more than once before my so-called “fancy” had proved to be a “reality:” so I determined that in a few days I see Mrs. Benson. All that evening !

could not get her out of my thoughts, and it was a long time before I went to sleep. I think it must have been about 9 o’clock in the morning that I awoke in a state of horror. I had dreamed that I saw Mrs. Benson standing in the window of her bedroom, beckoning me to come to her, and pointing to a female figure; who was stealing along under the shade of the trees in the avenue, for the moon was shining brightly. I started up, thinking I heard her calling me. And here is tne most extraordinary part of it all—though I was now quite awake, I heard, as 1 thought, a voice saying to me : “ Go, tell Mrs. Benson Martha is deceiving her; tell her to send her away at once.”

Three times these words seemed to be repeated in my ear. I can’t describe exactly what the voice was like; it was not loud, but quite distinct; and I felt as I listened that it was a warning, and that I must obey it. I woke my husband, and told him dream and the words I had heard. He tried to calm my mind, and evidently thought me foolish to be so frightened by only a stupid dream. I said I would drive over the first thing after breakfast, and see if anything was wrong with Mary or her mother. The only thing that puzzled me was, that Martha should be mentioned as deceiving Mrs. Benson. She acted as housekeeper and lady’s-maid to her, and was believed to be most trustworthy in every way. She had been four yeafs with her, and was much respected. She was a silent, reserved kind of person, about 35 jears of age. One thing I had often remarked about her was that when speaking to any one she never looked straight at them; but'l thought it might be from a kind of shyness more than anything else.

As soon as breakfast was over I set off, telling my husband I would very likely not return until next day, and, if possi-bl?7-he was to eeme for me. He could drive over early and spend the day, and we would return home together in the evening, if all was well with his mother. When I arrived I found Mrs. Bep sou and Mary looking as well as ever, and everything seemingly just as usual. Martha was sitting at work in her little room, wliich opened off Mra. Beason’s dressing-room. I could not help looking at her more closely than I would have done at another time, and I thought I saw a look of displeasure cross her face at seeing me. Mary and hermother were of course delighted to see me, and asked why Henry did not come, too. So I told them I would stay till the next day, if they would have me, and Henry would come for me then. They were quite pleased at that arrangement, for it was not very often my husband could spend a whole day with them. As the day passed on and nothing out of the way happened, I began to tlink I had frightened myself needlessly, and that my dream or vision might have been the result of an over-anxious mind. And then Martha, what about her? Altogether I was perplexed. I did not know what to think, but I still felt a certain undefined uneasiness. I offered up a silent prayer to be directed to do right, and determined to wait patiently and do nothing for a while. I almost hoped I might hear the voice again, giving me definite instructions how to act. Lunch passed and dinner also, and the evening being very warm, for it was the middle of July, we sat at the open window enjoying the cooling breeze that sot in from the sea.

As they were early people,’ shortly after 10 o’clock we said “ good night, ” and went up to our bedrooms. My room looked on the avenue, some parts of which were in deep shade, while in other parts the moonlight shone brightly through breaks in the trees. I did not feel in the least sleepy; and, putting out iny candle, I sat by the winilow, looking at the lovely view, for I could see the coast quite plainly, and the distant sea glistened like silver in the moonlight. I did not think how long I had been sitting there until I heard the clock strike 12. Just then I heard, as I thought, a footstep outside my door, which evidently stopped there, and then in a few seconds passed on. I did not mind, thinking it might be one of the servants, who had been up later than usual, and was now going quietly to bed. I began to undress, not lighting the candle again, as I had light enough from the moon. As I came toward the window to close it I saw, exactly as in my dream, a female figure—evidently keeping in the shade of the trees—going down the avenue. I determined to follow and see who it was, for I now felt the warning voice was not sent to me for nothing, and I seemed to get courage, girl though I was, to fathom the mystery. I hastily dressed, threw a dark shawl over my head, and, going noiselessly down stairs, opened the glass door in the drawing-room window, and left it so that I could come in again. I kept in the shade of the trees as much as possible, and quickly followed the path I had seen the woman take. Presently I heard voices; one was a man's, the other a woman’s. But who was she? I came close, and got behind a large group of thick shrubs. I could now see and hear them quite well* they "were standing in the light; I was in deep shade. Just then the woman turned her head toward me. It was Mart ha. What did she rfrint there al that, —and who was that man? I zled. Where had I seen that face before ?—for that I had seen it before I was certain; but where and when I could not remember. He was speakings in a low voice, and I did not hear very distinctly what he said, but the last few words were:

“And why not to-night? Delays are always dangerous, especially now as they are beginning to suspect me.” “ Because Mrs. Benson’s daughter-in-law is here, and she is sleeping in the room over the plate-closet, and would be sure to hear the least noise. Wait unt 1 to-morrow night—she will be gone thei, But indeed, John, 1 don’t like thjs'bus - nes? at all. I think we’d better give : k up. No lack will cotajt * sure.” “Look here, Martha,” said the man, “J have a ehanoe of getting safe off now. I have it all settled, if you will only help me to get this old woman’s plate. With that, and a few little trinkets I happened to pick up a few years ago, you and I may set up business in America, The other fellows yyill help

me. Meet me here to- night* to set me kpbw that all is safe for ns. See ■ere. hjhaVe brought you a valuable present. Keep it until the plate is secure with me, for you must stay here until all blows over; then make some excuse for leaving, and come over and join me in New York. If you want money, sell these diamonds in Liverpool—they are worth no end of money.” I could see quite well that he took something out of his pocket and gave it to her. She held it up to look at it; and there, glistening in bright moonlight, I saw—my god-mother’s diamond ear-ring I the one that had been stolen over nine years ago with the other jewels from her room. Here then at last was the mystery -solved, everything made clear, and all my dream ! Presently the light rfell on the man’s face again, and I instantly recognized my god-mother'd very respectable gardener. A decent man he was believed to be, but a thief all the time, and one who hid his evil deeds under a cloak of religion. And who was this woman he seemed to have got such -power over? Evidently his wife; for I gathered that from his conversation with her. I waited where I was until they were both gone—Martha back to the house, and her husband to the village ; then as quietly as I oould I returned-to the house and reached my room. Falling on my knees I gave thanks to God for making me the means of finding out such a wicked plot, and perhaps saving the lives of more than one under that roof ; for it is more than likely that, had those desperate men been disturbed in their midnight plunder, they would not have hesitated at any deed which would enable them to carry out their wicked plans. I slept little that night, and next morning tried to, appear calm and composed, though I was frightened and really ill. I was longing for my husband to come, that I might tell him all, and consult what was best to be done, to prevent robbery and perhaps bloodshed. At last, to my great relief, I saw him coming. I ran to the gate to meet him, and told him what I had seen and heard the night before. “Now,” I said, “ will you ever laugh at my fancies again ?” “No, my dear little wife,” said he, “I never will.”

We then arranged that we should tell his mother and sister everything, and he was to go the nearest police station and arrange with the chief officer to have a number of men ready in the wood, near the house, at 12 o’clock that night; that after dinner we were to say “ good-by ” to Mis. Benson and drive home, but would return and join the police in the wood, and wait there until we saw Martha leave the house to meet her husband. We were then to go in and wait until the thieves came in, when they were to be surrounded and taken prisoners. My husband wanted me to remain at our own house, but I would not do so, as I said I would only be imagining all sorts of dreadful things; besides, I knew his mother and Mary would like to have me with them. It all turned out as well as oould be. The night was very fine and, just at 12 o’clock Martha stole down to the place where I had seen her the night before; then we all, about a dozen policemen and ourselves, went into the house. The men were stationed out of sight in different rooms, waiting for the robbers’ entrance. Henry came up to Mrs. Benson’s room, where all of us women were, including the two servants. With breathless anxiety we watched and waited. From where I stood I could see the way they would come. It was about 2 o’clock when I saw Martha coming up the walk and four men with her. “Look!” I said; “there they are.” They went round to the back door, and we heard them stealing along the passage in the direction of the plate closet. Then a sudden rush—a scream from the wretched Martha imprecations loud and bitter—a shot! another scream !

* ‘ May God grant no lives will be lost!” we prayed Poor Mary nearly fainted. At last we heard the officer call Henry to come down. The four men were well secured and taken to the police station. Martha was taken there too. She confessed she had let them in for the purpose of stealing the silver. One of the robbers was slightly wounded in the arm, but no one else was hurt. Very thankful was I when I found, next day, that none were the worse for having gone through such a terrible scene. The house where Martha’s husband lodged was searched, and the ease of diamonds and many other valuable articles found there. This immensely respectable gardener had been a disgrace to his family and his profession. Left very much to himself through the indulgence of his employer, he had contracted habits of tiopling with low associates at the neighboring village, and become so completely demoralized as at length to assume the degraded character of a burglar. Now came the retribution which attends on wrong-doing. The thieves were all tried at the next assizes, and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. It is now many years since all this happened; but I can never forget what I went through those two dreadful nights; though I remember with thankfulness that, through my dream and the warning voice I heard, I was the means of averting a great wrong, and perhaps a murder. Ido not impute anything supernatural to my dream. It may have merely been the result of tension of feelings, supporteel by some coincidences. At all events, the results were such as I have described.