New-York tribune., 1882-04-09
4 DREAM OF MURDER.
Ernm Ohnmhcrs'S JOnrnnl.

From ChdmberS'S journal.
The narrator said that, some years ago, he was
" hest-man" at the marriage of friend, who alter
ward proceeded with his tridc to large town IN
England. The lady possessed great personal Id
most conspicuous of whom was young chemist
who did not bear the most irroproachablc OF char
acers but shortly before the marage TS yUa%g
happy for several months, till an event happened
which bears on the story. Returning from concert
one evening the young wife received slight chlli,
which Threatened to rest on the lungs. and medical
assistance procured. The doctor came; ana
after ordering simple prescription ne Ietrcu' re-
marking that his patient would be all night In day
or two. This anticipation, however. was not 1ul-
filled To the great gref OF The husband, Ill, VIE
showed symptoms of extreme lassitude; and the
most skilful diagnosis of an eminent physician
failed TO account for the abnormal conditlon.
Medicine of course prescrl ed freely. Dut WIN
no beneficial result. Exhaustion superycned ana
nj this crisis the husband telegraphed for his friend
i'll Edinburgh TO come and perform some little pusi-
:,
had sincere admiration for the husband, and the
greatest respect for the suffering WIFE, Seated t1at
night in a Midland carriage with no companion
but his thoughts, the Young man recalled an me
circumstances of the marriage. not forgetting the
sinister incident of the disappointed ap0theclrys
disappearance. As he thought on all these matters;
ne fell asleep. lie awOke with a start, and found
he was at Carlisle His sleep had not been refresh
ing for il had been disturbed by dream that
troubled him. Unsentimenta by nature, lie tired 10
laugh the fancy away; but 1t refused to be cxor-
cised. Still harplng on some oil the lncldeh1s, ne
reached
in a hopeless condition. The husband was sad
dencd and pcrpeXed; and his iriend realizing tlat
action OF some kind was necessary to raise the
mourner from his stupOr, succeeded III getting HIM
TO talk about the business he wished transacted
They went through number OF streets c0nverslng
famiary when all of a sudden the husband found
himself grasped by the arm, and looked round TO see
his friend gazing eagerly into the window CT snOp
RecOv erng himself in an instant, the visitor talked
freely and did not volunteer an explanation OF bis
rather erratic conduct; but on returning to the
house. he requested the servant to bring the Doitlc
containing the medicine last gwen to the suffering
woman. The girl brought the bottle, and SAID she
had Just washed it. as the doctor had ordered her
to 90 for another dose.
This was disappointing, certainly. But the Trend
was a born detective. and not to be baked. The
girl went for the medicine When she returned
with it the young man took the bottle, and without
acquaintng the husband of his intention, left the
house with the prescription, returning after bret
interval with the medicine. During the nlglt the
breathing of the patient became easier, and when
the doctor called the next day. he was able 10 re-
port symptoms OF recovery.
In the evening the friend, accompanied by man
of severe demeanor, entered the room where the
husband sat. and requested him to come out
on a little piece OF business. They walked In ST.
lence through several streets and at last reached
police station, which they entered Behind the
desk there seated man with his face buried IN
his hands The officer on duty without much CIR.
cumocutiOn, told the business which had called
them there. Addressing the husband he said that
the man seated in the Office was charged with al,
ministering noxiOus drugs. When the accused
stood up the party the altered features of the
husbands face and after he had made all the ne
ccssary depostions, he hurried home; AT the next
assizes the chemist was sentenced to ten years
penal serytude; and as he penal servitude; and as
he pleaded guilty, the public knew nothing Of the
circumstances more than was contained IN the
charge One of the prosecutors however, had man
ifested great interest in the and as the hus
band and his friend were leaving the court he re-
quested the latter To give him explanation OF
the manner IN which his suspicious first called
forth against the criminal. The friend at told
his story.
In the railway carriage. he had dreamed that he
was walking through a large city which he had
never visited. At length he came upon row ot
shops and at a window of one of these he observed
the face of a man. debased and vndctive in its eX-
PRESTON and quite familiar to him. The man held
a mortar and pestc in his hands, and while he
mixed up some drug there balcful light in
the lishy y-Ooking eyes. Then the sharp whistle Of
the engine awakened the dreamer The sequel was
plain. Walking with his friend through the laby
rinth of streets could he despse his sleeping fancy
when lie saw before him the actual row of shops, |
while AZ one OF the windows stood a figure that
haunted his memory like a nightmarci : 1t was n
perfect revelation. When he returned. and secured
the medicine and prescription. lie went TO another
chemist. and procured the needed restorative, and
then called upon analyst with the first bottle
1t was found to contain deadly narcotic; and the
police authorities having been satisfied with the
main facts. ordered the arrest of the Jealous and
wretched man. before the guilt of actual murder lay
at his door.