The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-07-02
ON THE SILVER CLIFF TRAIL,

mearge at Milton, and 1 was obliged to
share my room with stranger. He
was a tall, strongly-built man, with a
Weather-beaten face aud grizzled hair
1t needed but glance to know that he
was one who could both give and take
| hard knocks. There was nothing re-
pulsive about him, however. On the
contrary, he seemed to be honest, good
natured, and thorough gentleman in
the best sense of the word. Entering
into conversation with him, l learned
that he was from the West and hal
travelled extensively through all parts
CT the United States, especially the
wilder parts. We soon became fast
friends, as men sometimes will upon
very short acquaintance.
We had both travelled far that day
and were not inclined to sit up very
long, so about 10 o'clock we retired to
our room and went to bed. l fell
asleep almost as soon as my head
touched the pillow. How long I slept
/ do not know, but I was awakened by
sounds of distress from my room
mates bed. AS | awoke l heard him
cry as if in great fear: Don't kill me,
| am innocent. For Gods sake let me
CO." This was followed by a choking
sound that made my blood run cold.
Jumping out of bed I turned on the
light, and looked toward his side of the
room, fully expecting to see my friend
struggling with a burglar. To my sur
prise there was no one in the room ex-
cept we two. Stepping hastily to the
side Of the bed l found him clutching
his own throat and writhing in agony,
at the same time uttering the cries |
heard. His face bore look of mortal
terror, such\as l hope never to see
again. Realizing that he was suffering
from some horrible nightmare, l tried
to wake him up. BY calling him re-
peatedly and shaking him I finally sue
ceeded. He started up and gazed about
him with wild, frightened look, as
though he did not know where he was.
Gradually he came to his senses, but be
was trembling like leaf. He began
to put on his clothes, explaining that
he did not dare go to sleep again, but
was going out for walk.
IF you don't mind, I'll 60 with you,"
said I, "for, to tell the truth, I don't
believe I could sleep either"
I'm sorry I've spoiled your nights
rest" he replied, but If you really
wish to go out with me, l shall be
glad to have YOU"
We lighted our cigars and strolled
out into the night. After walking
some distance in silence, my friend
said: at is strange that that dream
should come back to me now. 1t has
mt troubled me for years. There was
a time when it haunted me so often
that l had to be watched constantly
while l slept. As soon as | showed any
signs of agitation, the watchers would
awaken me. If they had not, my mind
would undoubtedly have given way
under the strain. There is a story
connected with that dream. Do you
care to hear it,"
Of course was very much interested
and begged him to go on.
'"The dream had tonight" he con-
tinued, lis merely the recollection of a
terrible experience l once had. was
very young at the time-scarcely
eighteen. was without any near
relative and dependent entirely upon
my own. resources. You remember the
time when gold was discovered in Colo
RADIO, how people flocl1ed there from all
parts of country to make their for
tunes. Well, l caught the fever, too,
and taking what little money l had
saved up, I went to Denver. There l
remained some time uingling with
miners and learning from them all l
could about the gold mines. From sew
eral sources heard that gold had been
discovered in paying quantities at Sill
yer Cliff, and I decided to so thera,
stopping on the way at Pueblo to buy
a horse and other necessary parts of a
miners outfit.
"The evening before I left Denver l
~,,o, SITTING in tho 1obhv 0f NV hotp