The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1903-06-05

qualify that statement. DUST as IN some
photos the background is blurred and in.
SO it was with my dream.
know that was private in this regi-
ment. and performed the usual daily du.
ties Of soldier on active service; hut
how I came there, to what nationality
the soldiers belonged, against whom they
were fghting-of all these things was
ignorant. Well, woke up next morning
and scarcely gave my dream passing
thought Next night, however, I dreamed
again I was with the regiment.
All day long we marched under
a burning sun. Some of the men
were compelled to fall out. I re-
member advising one of my comrades
not to drink while OH the march, ami
his surly-'Why not Pin response. At
dusk we halted close to the enemy. The
Whole scene was extraordinarily.real5 and
vivid. Well, Jim, for three successive
nights I have dreamed, and always of the
same subject. I seem to be leading
dual existence. From the moment nv
head touches the pillow and fall asleep
l seem another man in another land.
But to continue. Naturally enough, ut
first l 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 a pitch of nervous
ness [ should never have deemed possible.
At the end of the second dream I told
you we were encamped close to the
enemy, and expected to come next day
into contact with them. This expecta-
ton was fulfilled am speaking now of
my third dream. Early in the morning
a detachment of ESQ men, with mule
mountain battery, was ordered to make {.
reconnaissance through some rocky
passes. The ground was very similar to
that which we have both encountered IN
Afghanistan, and made fighting difficult
"a sort of guerilla warfare. T formed
one of the detachment. We marched
forward at first in close formation, but
1T length the rugged ground compelled
us to open out. and we presented 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 fire.
quent rs we advanced, were sufficient
evidence that they were present in con.
siderable force. And now, Jim, comes
the most curious part of my story At
the first sound of the firing I felt a
curious sensation. You have heard peo-
pie use the phrase MY heart was in my
mouth? Well, that sums it up exactly.
In plain words, old campaigner as I am,
in this dreamland battle I was in a
blithering funk. Presently mule STAN.
peded. Then a man near me was shot
through the lungs. His dying scream
was too much for me- I became com,
pletely demoralized. Jim, turned tail
and ran-ran like whipped cur, heller,
SHELTER, tumbling over powders, some.
times falling four or five feet down clefts
up when I had laboriously clambered
few moments before. Bruised and bat.
tered. my bayonet and ammunition
pounding my uody, I did not stop run.
ming till I reached the main body, two or
three miles in the rear. Well, the up
shot, you, an old soldier like yourself,
can imagine. I was marched off under
arrest to await my trial for cowardice
in the face of the enemy. There my
third dream ended. Next night, as usual,
I took up the thread of my other exist
ence. My trial took place I recall the
details with almost a blush of shame.
The result was, of course, foregone con-
clusion.
"Witncsses there were in plenty to tes-
tify to my headong flight. 1 met with
some pity, but the case was far too fla,-
grant for any mitigation of the sentence.
l was, of course, condemned to be shot.
At present I await confirmation of the
sentence from headquarters.
"Jim, do you see what significance this
curious succession of dreams has for me:
I believe that these events, of which I
have dreamed with such vivid force, arc
really taking place in some other coun-
try, perhaps in another world am
there in the spirit, or in some substance
of which we know nothing.
1T is common belief with some peo.
pie that they have another body in CO.
existence with themselves. These dreams
have won me over to that belief, though
surely it is seldom that knowledge of the
doings of his twin being is vouchsafed
to a man in such a manner"
COL Kenyon paused. The narration of
these extraordinary events seemed to
drain his strength. His voice had grown
weak and husky.
How marvel]ously strange" I ex.
claimed. "But, Dick, unless these con-
sIahl dreams are depflVang you OF neces-
sary rest and so sapping your strength
l cannot understand the cause of your
perturbation"
Cant you see?" cried Col. Kenyon,
excitedly. Cant you see what 1 fear
Tonight I shall 60 to bed to dream once
more. How do know that I shall ever
wake again in this world? How do I
know that the sentence of death, which
will be carried out on me in this dream
land life, will not take equal effect on
my earthly body? J. don't fear death
tor myself. I can meet it brarely, as a
man should. But, Jim, think of my wife
and little Eileen; what are my feelings.
do you think, when see them, and know
that I may be called from life, leaving
them helpless and unpro4ecteds Call me
fanciful; call me overstrung-what you
will; but, try my hardest, I cannot crush
down the feeling that my course is run:
that tonight when 1 bid my wife ana
Eileen good night, bid them goodby for.
ever on this earth as wen.''
Skenyon!" calculated. "This is mad
ness; you surely cannot believe sucl,
folly" I spoke the words with emphasis,
feeling that at all hazards I must reas-.