Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1888-06-14
A DREAM FANTASY.

There is no doubt that John Gorham often
felt bored when 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 on
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 at
Johns peculiarities, for he was an excellent
fellow. We occupied suite of rooms to
gether in desirable part of the city, and to
the post of the outer door was sign reading
"John Gorham, Physician and Surgeon. "
| Neither of us was married.
One evening I pinned him down to dis
cussion on the subject Of dreams. had lately
been reading some interesting articles Oh
those mysterious activities of the mind which
come into play only when che other faculties
seem 10 be shrouded into oblivion. 1t was a
cold November night, but we sat in COM
Portable easy chairs before q glowing CRATE
fire. l had lain down Bulwer's "Zanoni, !" and
compelled John reluctantly to suspend his
perusal of a medical report
dreams" said, "are often so extremely
vivid.
$50 is the toothache," was Johns re-
joinder.
mo doubt" replied, with no sign of irri-
tation; "but have you never had a dream
that seemed for the time being to be q
reality7"
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 factsl'
"Never," replied John, emphatically.
"On the other hand, have not actual expe-
riences left such dim recolections that you
have afterward confounded them with visions
Of a troubled sleep!"
Certainly not" said John, with derision
as well as decision.
"Well," 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, care so anxious
to discover something new and wonderful
that you believe everything you hear and
read, and then build up the most outlandish
theories"
II am not theoriing; I am simply trying
to make GU understand that dreams may be
so vivid as to be confounded with actual
events, and vice versa"
"And I say that a 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. I
want to finish this report and then go to bed"
And he Immediately became absorbed in the
pamphlet, his perusal of which had inter-
rupted.
Thereupon I betook myself to a 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 done9 Long 1 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 81 some pretext to distant part of the
city; bring him back; give him an opiate in
a glass of wine; put him to bed4jn the morn
ing deny that either he or I had stirred from
cur apartments; and finally make him be-
lieve that the whole thing was nothing but
dream.
The plan struck me as being well conceived
and feasible, and 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 / looked around,
listened, and heard snoring. Could it be
possible that John had gone to bed without
nv knowing its 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 a vial containing 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 las he had
described them) were precisely those which
wished to produce; and without scruple or
hesitation poured few drops into wine
glass and set the glass in particular corner
Of n tray ON the sideboard. l would thus
know precisely where to find it on our re-
turn from the expedition which I 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. l touched an cleo
tric button which communicated with hv-
erv stable, the effect of which would be to
bring horse and buggy to the door within
five minutes.
Then | approached the bed and reused
John.
"Come, John, you're wanted. An urgent
case. Horse at the door. Hurry up"
"Who's sick!" he growled.
az don't know the name. Jump into your
clothes. 'rll 60 with you and drive"
MAu r;phtn And amid much stretching
and Yavnns, John dragged himself from the
bed and dressed as speedily as possible we
we're soon out Of doors and seated IN the
hnccv with robes drawn closely about our
Laos for il was a cold night. took the
reins. but was as yet totally undecided as 70
That move to make next. l started tne
horse. however, trusting to luck or some
hsnny thought to determine our further pro,
ceedings. Luck settled the matter; we na mao
uot driven a dozen rods before q boy came
..',shing -US mn the street. He halted on meeting
,s | md nanting for breath, exclaimed:
"Be you the doctor| ,. an
"Yesn I answered, hastily, discerning an
..oone from the embarrassing situation in'o
which had so recklessly rushed. -
"How luckyi You're wanted 1us' as 9a''A
nc xossihle Drive to -