The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-01
Dream of Death Game True.

soldiers belonged, against whom they
were fighting-of all these things I was
ignorant. Well, I woke up next morn
ing and scarcely gave my dream a
passing thought. Next night, however,
I dreamed again was with the regi-
1lent. All day long we marched under
a burning sun. Some of the men were
compelled to fall out. I remember ad-
ViSing one Of my comrades not to drink
while on the march, and his surly
Why not?'-in response. At dusk
we halted close to the enemy The
whole scene was extraordinarily real
and vivid. Well, Jim, for three success
sive nights l have dreamed, and al
ways of the same subject. I seem to
be leading a dual existence. From the
moment my head touches the pillow
and I fall asleep 1 seem another man
in another land. But to continue. Nat
urally enough, at first I attached no
importance to these dreams, but their
persistence and the, events which have
occurred in the last two have changed
that. These dreams have brought me
to pitch Of nervousness I should
never have deemed possible. At the
end Of the second dream I told you we
We're encamped- close to the enemy, and
expected to come next day into con-
tact with them. This expectation was
fulfilled am speaking now of my
third dream. Early in the morning a
detachment of ESQ men, with a mule
mountain battery, was ordered to make
a reconnaissance through some rocky
passes. The ground was very similar
to that which we have both encounter
ed in Afghanistan,s and made fighting
difficult a sort Of guerrilla warfare.
1 formed one of the detachments. We
marched forward at first in. close
formation, but at length the rugged
ground compelled US to open out, and
we presented a very ragged front. As
we advanced several shots rang out,
which took no effect. There was no
sign of the foe but the dropping shots,
which grew more frequent as we adj
vanced, were sufficient evidence that
they were present In considerable
force. And now, Jim, comes the most
curios part Of my story. At the first
sound of the firing I felt a curious
sensation. You have heard people use
the phrase, My heart was in my
mouth? Well, that sums it up exact
ly. In plain words, old campaigner as
l am, in this dreamland battle I was
in blithering funk. Presently a mule
Stampeded. Then a man near was
shot through the lungs. His dying
scream was too much for me. I be-
came demoralized. Jim, I turned tail
and ran-ran like whipped cur, he'll
ter SHELTER, tumbling over boulders,
down clefts up which 1 had 1aboriously
clambered a few moments before
Bruised and battered, my bayonet and
ammunition pounding my body, did
not stop running till I reached the
main body two or three miles in the
rear. Well, the upshot, you, an old
soldier yourself, can imagine. / was
marched off under arrest to await my
trial for cOwardfce in the face of the
enemy. There my third dream ended.
Next night, as usual, I took up the
thread of my other existence. My trial
took place. I recall the details with
almost a blush of shame. The result
was, of course, a foregone conclusion.
Witnesses there were in plenty to
testify to my headlong flight. 1 met
with some pity, but the case was far
too fragrant for any mitigation of the
sentence. I was, of course, condemned
to be shot. At present / await con-
firmation of the sentence from head
quarters.
Jim, do you see what significance
this curious succession of dreams has
for me? 1 believe that these events.
of which l have dreamed with such
vivid force, are really taking place in
some other country, perhaps in anoth
er world. / am there in the spirit. or
in some substance of which we know
nothing.
people that they have another body In
co-existence with themselves. These
dreams have won me over to that be-
lief, though surely it is seldom that
knowledge of the doings of his twin
being is vouchsafed to man in such
manner"
Col. Kenyon paused. The narration
of these extraordinary events seemed
to drain his strength. His voice had
grown weak and husky
How marYelouSly strange" ex-
claimed. But, Dick, unless these con-
slant dreams are depriving you of nee
essary rest and so sapping your
strength, cannot understand the
cause of your perturbation s---s /.
q"Can't you see?" cried Col. Kenyan.
5excitedly. Cant you see what fear !?
Tonight l shall go to bed to dream once
more. How do / know that I shall
ever wake again in this world? How
do know that the sentence Of death,
which will be carried out on me in this
| dreamland life, will not take equal eff
feet on my earthly body? I don't fear
death for myself can meet 1T brave
ly as man should. But, Jim. think Of
my Wife and little Eileen; what are
my feelings, do you think, when I see
them, and know that may be called
from life, leaving them helpless and
unprotected? Call me fanciful; cali
HAC ONSiStTuIi5 -Wndt you VIII, but. try
FEELING that my course is run, that to-
feeling that my, colrse is run. that to-
night when bid my wife and Eileen
| good night bid them goodbye forever
on this earth as we'll"
"Kenyon!" I calculated. This is mad
ness. you surely cannot believe such fol-
". l spoke the words with emphasis,
FEELING that at all hazards must reas-
sure him. In reality the strength of his
conviction, made evident by the emotion
under which he labored, raised In INV
mind suspicion, almost amounting to be-
ief, that he might prove right Come
into the garden and let us consider the
Col. Kenyon assented, and we stepped
out OF the room. As we paced up and
down endeavored to, look at the matter
from every point of view. Assuming Col.
Kenyon's fear TO be probable or improba-
Die, In either case I could not see that
anything could be done.
s. I'VE must Just wait quietly, Dick" 1
SAID; whatever is to happen win hap
pen The clay Of destiny is not respon-
siVe to our hands. We cannot mold It as
We WILL Unless / paused. uncertain
how to continue. Don't you think 1t
Is possible that these dreams are but the