The Dillon tribune., 1885-10-10


window panes that heavy rain had sue
ceeded snow. As the big drops of water
found their way down the large old fashioned
chimney, the fire bissed and spluttered like
q spiteful vixen. Everything combined to
deprive me of what dogs sleep could by
sheer persistency snatch.
I think I tried every position which an
ordinary man, not an acrobat, is capable of
adopting with the assistance of q common
wooden chair. Ieven lay down on the hard
flags. Iactually tried the table. dropped
up the upper half of my body against the
corner walls of the room; but found no rest.
At last gave up all idea Of sleeping, and
fully aroused myself. I comforted myself
by saying that my misery was only tempo
rary-that the longest night must come to
an end.
My companion had by now suce umbed to
fatigue, or to the combined effects Of fatigue
and gin-and-water. His head was hanging
sideways, and he slept in most uneomfort-
able attitude. I chuckled as looked at
him, feeling quite sure that if such a clod
was capable Of dreaming at all his dreams
must be worse even than mine. filed an
other pipe, poked the smoldering logs into a
blase, and cat almost nooe and knees over the
IRE. finding some amusement in specializing,
upoa the condition OF the churl before me,
ana thanking the Lord I was not like unto
this man. Suddenly an idea flashed across
me.
had seen this fellow before. But when
or where I could not remember. His feat
ures, a looked at them with keener inter.
est, seemed to grow more and more familiar
to me. Where could have met hint Some
where or other. but where2 I racked my
brain to associate him with some scene, some
event. Although he was but an ordinary
countryman such as one sees scores of in
days ride, only differing from his kind on
account of his unpleasant face, felt sure we
were old acquaintance When he awoke
for a moment and changed his strained atti-
tude, my feeling grew stronger and stronger.
Yet puzzle and puzzle as would, could not
call to mind former encounter; SO at last I
began to think the supposed recognition was
pure fancy on my part.
Having smoked out several pipes,
thought that cigar would be slight break
to the monotony Of the nights proceedings.
So drew out my case and looked at its con-
tents. Among the weeds was one Of a
lighter color than the others. As took it
out said to myself, "Why, old Brand gave
me that one when was last at his house."
Curiously enough that cigar was the missing
link In the chain of my memory. As held 1t
in my hand knew at once why my hosts
ugly face seemed familiar to me.
About a fortnight before, being in town,
had spent the evening with the doctor. He
was not alone, and was introduced to q
tall, pale young man named Carriston. He
was q pleasant, polite young fellow, al
though not much in my line. At first I
judged him to be q would-be poet of the
fashionable miserable school; but finding
that he and Brand talked SO much about art
Eventually decided that he was one of the
doctors many artist friends. Art Is a hobby
be hacks about on graudly. mem. Brands
own attempts ut pictures are simply afro
cious!)
Just before left. GARRISON, the doctors
back being turned, asked me to step into
another room. There he showed me the
portrait Of man. It seemed very clever
y drawn, and l presumed he wanted me to
criticise it.
II am precious bad judge" said.
II am not asking you to pass an opinion"
said Carriston; II want to bog a favor Of
you. am almost ashamed to beg it ON 80
short an acquaintance"
He seemed modest and not In want of
money, 40 encouraged him to proceed.
II heard you say you were going into the
country" he resumed. II want to ask you
4 by any chance you should meet the origi-
nal of that drawing, to telegraph at once to
DR.. Brand"
"Whsreabouts does he liver
II have no idea. If chance throws him
In your way please do as ASK
Certainly will, said, seeing the young
man made the request in solemn earnest.
He thanked me- anil then gave ms a small
photograph Of tho picture. This photograph
he begg ID mo to keep in my pocketbook. 3,
that might refer to it in case met the
man he wanted. put it there, went my
way. and, am sorry to say, forgot oil about
It. Had it not been for the strange cigar in
my case bringing back Ca:riston's unusual
request to my mind, the probabilities are
that should not have thought again of the
matter. Now, by remarkable coincidence,
/ was spending the night with the very man
who, SO far as my memory served me, must
have sat for the portrait shown me at
Brands house.
II wonder what I did with the photo" l
| said. turned out my letter-case. There it
was, right enough! Shading it VITA on,
hand, I carefully compared it with the
sleeper
AM2H}..3z IL; !: