The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1895-12-26
A DREAM.

[ had dream the other night-nOt |
the first that | have had-but one that |
has left deeper impression on my
memory than any other.
| had been, by that subtle process
which is unexplainable and only occurs
in dreams, transferred to large and
beautiful park, and while resting upon
one of the many seats that were dis
posed about, | was joined by another
person.
From the appearance Of my com
paniOn | was not led to expect anything
more than the usual request for the
wherewithal to purchase a meal. |
! Judged HIM to be about thirty-tive years
| of age. with face that seemed pale
! beneath the stubble of unclean beard
! that covered it. His eyes, which for the
| first time were clearly seen. emitted
ook of repressed intelligence, now full
upon me. now lowered to his alter
nately shifting. poorly siod feet, as II
trying to decide which object was
the more attractive to his gaze. Ap-
parently he decided in favor of the
latter, for the noise of hi, shifting
shoes drew his glance downward, and
there it rested, with no perceptlble
object, according to my belief, un-
less to ponder on the tenure OF their
future protection from cobblestones
and dew.
Poor DEVIL thought |, my bank
account will be just as large at the end
ofthe year, anyway, and then. (seliishiyj
you know, charity covers multitude
of sins: so III just give him quarter
and good word, and leave him here
to his own reflections and his shifting
shoes.
AS graciously as possible the coin
+ was slipped into his hand, which had the
+ effect of bringing an immediate change
, in his listless demeanor. Il needed that,
he said. II am hungry" Poor fellow,
| said compassionately, ''it is not
much, but | hope it will satisfy you
for the present, and that things will
q yet come your way.
! had replaced my pocketbook ano
q was about to take myself away, whef
G he turned towards me again and gen
a tly yrasped my sleeve, as if entreatins
q me by this gesture to stay. and no
!, daring to speak lest his voice prove
O. not as steady as before. | sank back
:, in obedience to his silent wish, an(
waited until he should regain his com
"a posure.
s "Ithank you for your kindness; thanl
IS you, very much. Pray forgive my agl
e tation; but your words Of memen
4 since implied a question as to my con
+ dition or appearance or perhaps both
~ know both are not exactly above re
l. proach and comment.
~ Again look of intense sorrow SCENE
% to creep into the lines about the col
u ners of his mouth; his eyes looked uI
!, ward until their moisture had quit
n disappeared.
,r 81 was eighteen he continued "whe
- | graduated from the academy, tn
10 only one in the city ia which lived, tn
Or name of either is immaterial. My pal
If ents had mapped out a college caree
r. for me, but through numerous busines
is reverses my father became suddenl
or poor. and, being an honest man, pal
:. dollar for dollar the liabilities his hOus
ia had incurred.
h. ''Our elegant home was now e.
"a changed for one of the very simple
10 nature; the comforts which we had a
to ways heretofore enjoyed, we knew 1
at more. My mother, never physical
i'm robust, soon died, some said of broke
ba heart, for my fathers difficulties hi
od been a source of constant anxiety
od her, and his unsettled mental co
oo dition and wakeful, wandering nigh
is soon had their effect on her feet
We strength.
raj ''He did not long survive her, al
nd with a heart full of anguish-aloI
nd without living relative, I faced t
;he inevitable, and set about providi
:. the means to keep intact the union