Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-10-17
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 physician, and prided himself on
being "praetical.n This quality no doubt
has its uses, but it need not necessarily in
clude an utter lack Of sympathy with every
thing that cannot lie absolutely demonstrated.
However, I have no intention of railing at
Johns peculiarities, for he was an excellent
fellow, We occupied suite OF rooms to-
gcther il, 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 | pinned him down to dis
cussion ON the subject OF dreams had lately
been reading some interesting articles on
thoss mysterious activities of the mind which
come. into play only when tue other faculties
seem TO be shrouded into Oblivion. Il was q
cold November night. but we sat in COM
Portable easy chairs before glowing CRATE
fire. had lain down Bulwers "Zanoni, and
compelled John reluctantly to suspend his
per,isal OF a medical report.
Dreams" l said, "are often so extremely
vivid.n.
$50 is the toothache," was Johns re-
toinder.
mo doubt replied, with no sign Of irri.
tntion; 'but have you never had a dream
that seemed for the time being to be a
realisyf'
occasionally; that is a common expert
ence"
"Still further: Have not tho occurrences Of
dream even been so vivid that you were
asterwarsi unable to distinguish their impress
sions from memories Of actual factsf'
''Nevcr, replied John, emphaticaly.
"On the other hand, have not actual expe-
riences left such dim recollections that You
have afterward confounded them with visions
OF a troubled sleepf'
"Certainly mott said John, with derision
- well as decision.
.'WeIl,n replied, i'you are 50 excessively
matter OF fact in everything that you can't
be expected TO share the experiences VI ordi-
nary mortals" -
And you,n retorted John, ''are so anxious
90 discoyer something new and wonderful
that you believe everything you bear and
read, and then build up the most outlandish
theories
AM nOb tuthfllihBt Il am
so make you understand that dreams may b
% vivid as to be confonnded with actna
events, and vice versa
And say that man who finds himself
the victim OF such an uncertain condition o
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.
And he Immediately became absorbed in tn
uamphlet, his perusal Of which | had inter
rupted.
Tbereupon betook myself to n couch
stretched myself out comfortably, and opene'
s.Zanonin at the chapter ON THE dweller O
the threshold" The book, for once, failed
interest me- John Gorham's stubbornnes
was exceedingly irritating. ! longed TO col
vince him that he was wrong Testimon
would not do il, for he would reject any te'
timonytsnding to to'eOrroborate my claim 9
the vagary 81 a disordered brain. The onl
way was TO appeal TO his own experience
How was this To be donei Long | pondere
over the problem, with eyes half closed.
All at once a plan for convpcing job
flashed upon me. IL was this: Wait unit
John was asleep; wake him up; get him ol
of bed. take him into the street; condu
hin, on some pretext 70 a distant part OF u
CITY; bring him back; give him an opinte
n glass OF wine; put him TO besl in the mor
snu deny that either he or had stirred fro
our apartments; and finally make him
lieva that the whole thing was nothing but
The1iian struck me as being well conceiy
and feasible, and resolved 10 put IL into IL
mediate execution. Affecting To he SOU
asleep. Ilooke1 cautiously out Of the corn
Of one eve 20 make sure OF observing 10
when he should retire.
His chair was emptyl ! looked arour
listened, and heard snoring Could it
possilae that Jokp had gone to bed witho
INV knowing iti farose and found this
be a fact. My reverie had been 50 profoa
thnt his movements had not disturbed me.
So much the better. | observed him ca
fully and saw that he was sound asle'
Tben opencd his drawer OF medicines a
took thsrefrorh vial containing pecul
and powerful drug Of whose sedative qui
ties had often heard him speak. He
said that IL was n dangerous thing to adm
ister except by one thoroughly unaerstal
ing its properties; but its effects las he
described theml were precisely those whic
wished TO produce; and without scruple
hesitation ! poured a few drops into W
glass and set the glass N a particular cor
Of tray on the sideboard. ! would Z
know precisely where to find 1t on our
turn from thu expedition which l
planned
John was still sleeping soundly, and ey'
thing was ready except the pretext on wi
10 awaken him and lead him forth.
was quickly settled upon. touched an
trio button which c@imunlcated with
ery stable. the effect Of which would 4
bring horse and buggy 70 the door Wi
Ave minutes.
Thea l approached the bed and ro'
J ,hn.
Come, John. you're wanted. An ur
case. Horse at the door. Hurry up"
WHO'S sickT' he growled.
az don't know tho name Jump into
-A-.tllrs. am 20 with you and drive"
IAN right" sAnd amid much stretc
~