Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-02-03
A DREAM FANTASY.

There is no doubt that John Gorham otter
felt bored when I tried to draw him into dis
cussions that he was pleased to term 'purely
speculative;' in fact, he often gave very
plain and blunt expression to his annoyance
He was a physician, and prided himself OIL
being practical" This quality no doubt
has its uses, but it need not necessarily in
clude an utter lack of sympathy with every.
thing that cannot be absolutely demonstrated
However, have no intention of railing al
Johns peculiarities, for he was an excellent
fellow. We occupied suite of rooms to
gether in desirable part of the city, and tc
tie post of the outer door was a sign reading
''John Gorham, Physician and Surgeon
Neither of us was married
One evening l pinned him down to dis
cussion on the subject of dreams. had lately
been reading some interesting articles on
thosa mysterious activities of the mind which
come into play only when the other faculties
seem to be shrouded into oblivion. It was a
cold November night, but we sat in com
Portable easy chairs before glowing CRATE
fire. | had lain down Bulwer's ''Zanoni, y and
compelled John reluctantly to suspend his
perusal of medical report
Dreams, l said, ''are often so extremely
vivid"
$50. is the toothache," was Johns re-
joinder
mo doubt" I replied, with no sign of irri-
tation; "but have you never had a dream
that seemed for the time being to be a
reality?"
Occasionally; that is common expert
ence."
"Still further: Have not the occurrences of
dream even been so vivid that you were
afterward unable to distinguish their impress
sions from memories of actual facts?''
Never replied John, emphatically.
son the other hand, have not actual expe-
riences left such dim recollections that you
have afterward COMPOUNDED them with visions
of a troubled sleep?"
Certainly not" said John, with derision
as well as decision.
"Well,' 1 replied, "you are so excessively
matter of fact in everything that you can't
be expected to share the experiences of ordi-
nary mortals"
''And you," retorted John, ssare so anxious
that you believe everything you hear and
theories"
to make you understand that dreams may be
so vivid as to be COMPOUNDED with actual
events, and vice versa"
''And l say that man who finds himself
the victim of such an uncertain condition of
mind needs to change his diet and take exer-
else. But don't bother me any longer. !
want to finish this report and then go to bed "
Ard he Immediately became absorbed in the
pamphlet his perusal of which I had inter-
rupted
Thereupon I betook myself to couch,
stretched myself out comfortably, and opened
''Zanoni" at the chapter on "The dweller of
the threshold" The book, for once failed to
interest me. John Gorhams stubbornness
was exceedingly irritating. I longed to con-
vince him that he was wrong. Testimony
would not do it, for he would reject any tes-
timony tending to corroborate my claim as
the vagary of disordered brain. The only
way was to appeal to his own experience.
How was this to be done? Long I pondered
over the problem, with eyes half closed.
All at once a plan for convincing John
flashed upon me. 1t was this: Wait until
John was asleep; wake him up; get him out
of bed; take him into the street; conduct
him on some pretext to distant part of the
city; bring him back; give him an opiate in
glass of wine; put him to bed; in the morn
ing deny that either he OF had stirred from
our apartments; and finally make him be-
lieve that the whole thing was nothing but a
dream.
The plan struck me as being well conceived
aud feasible, and I resolved to put it into i'm
mediate execution. Affecting to be sound
asleep, looked cautiously out of the corner
of one eve to make sure of observing John
when he should retire.
His chair was empty! I looked around,
listened, and heard snoring Could it be
possible that John had gone to bed without
my knowing it! I arose and found this to
be fact. My reverie had been so profound
that his movements had not disturbed me.
So much the better | observed him care
fully and saw that he was sound asleep.
Then opened his drawer of medicines and
took therefrom vial containing a peculiar
and powerful drug Of whose sedative quail
ties had often heard him speak He had
said that it was dangerous thing to admin
lister except by one thoroughly understand
ing its properties; but its effects (as he had
described them) were precisely those which
wished to produce and without seruple OF
hesitation poured few drops into wine
glass and set the glass in particular corner
of tray on the sideboard. l would thus
know precisely where to find it on our re-
turn from the expedition which l had
planned.
John was still sleeping soundly, and every
thing was ready except the pretext on which
to awaken him and lead him forth. This
was quickly settled upon. I touched an cleo
trio button which lmunicated with liv-
ery stable, the effect of which would be to
bring horse and buggy to the door within
five minutes.
Then I approached the bed and reused
John.
''Cone, John, you're wanted. An urgent
case. Horse at the door. Hurry up"
'!Who's sick?" he growled.
81 don't know the name. Jump into your
clothes ''Tll go with you and drive"
Cali right.n And amid much stretching
and yawn,ng, j ohn dragged himself from the
bed and dressed as speedily as possible. We
were soon out of doors and seated in the
buggy, with robes drawn closely about our
legs, for it was a cold night. ] took the
reins, but was as yet totally undecided as to
what move to make next. | started the
horse, however, trusting to luck or some
happy thought to determine our further pro
ceedings Luck settled the matter. We had
not driven dozen rods before a boy came
rushing up the street. He halted on meeting
us and painting for breath, exclaimed:
''Be you the doctor?"
"Yes," answered, hastily, discerning an
escape from the embarrassing situation into
which I had 50 recklessly rushed. ~-------