heard of, much less seen or talked of,,Although
rarely seen we hear of such things now,
through people from a distance, and they are
talked of a great deal, and although the changes
in civilization are slow, we might venture the
remark that some future generation in this
vicinity will actually have them.
A DREAM.
BY JOHN SMITH
A rapping at my bolted door
Succeeded steps upon the floor
NVithin the hall
Unburdened of the cares of cloy
1 rested in my chosen way
Until the call.
No stranger could have found my room
Unaided in that midnight gloom
Who could it be?
I sat in silence in my chair,
My lingers resting in my hair,
So peacefully.
When startled by this midnight rap
1 waited for the second tnp
rhat should succeed
But haste or danger stood without,
And ere I turned myself about
I felt a need,
Of stronger arms than I possessed,
Which now my shaking frame confessed
Against my will.
The knob was tried impatiently
And set my doubt at liberty—
He wished to kill
I called in accents bold and strong
"Who's there ? and what can be so wrong
" In this dark night.
" That haste impels your thoughtless band
" To deeds that soon to crimes expand
" Without daylight ?"
Nly door was locked, but not secure,
And ere I could myself assure
That all is well.
I felt the presence of my foe
But why I had no power to go
I cannot tell
THE FREE LANCE.
Feb. I, '9O
TN the grand old State of Virginia, in the
I year 1807, was born the man whose mili
tary career was destined to win for him, from
both friend and foe universal admiration.
After passing the satisfactory examination
for entering West Point, and enduring the
hardships inflicted upon all "Plebs," Lee at
the age of as graduated with honors from that
institution. On account of his superior abil
ity, he was not compelled to pass his life in
seclusion in the wilds of the West, like most
of his brother officers, but was promoted from
assistant engineer at Washington to Superin
tending Engineer of Improvements on the
Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
Large drops of sweat hung o'er my brow;
I-lope seemed a phantom to me now,
" Who is my guest ?"
To this a sweet voice made , reply,
" A messenger of truth tun 1,
" Thou shalt be blest
" Men's deeds and words, and thoughts are known,
"Their deeds are like the seed that's sown
"To yield like fruit,
"'Their words are like refreshing dew
"'That brings new life where sickness grew
"In death's pursuit.
" And, too, their words like killing frosts
" .llny nip the tend'rest life that costs
" A human soul.
"'Their thoughts can harm but self and God,
"In words the thoughts are set abroad
" And onward roll.
" All thoughts that yield were idle pain
" Are human loss and devil's gain
" When once expressed.
" Kill evil thoughts while yet unsaid,
" And keep the graveyard in the head,
" And thou art blest,"
I turned upon my feathered bed,
And from my room the vision fled
With noiseless speed.
A dream engaged my mind in sleep,
Portrayed a truth I fain would keep
And daily heed.
GEN. LEE'S CAREER