The Utah County Democrat. [volume] (Provo City, Utah) 1898-1909, 1908-09-19

eastern slope OF the mountains. to the
pass that hid the restless prospectors
from the new-found wealth OF Nugget.
on, lying in the gulches at the foot of
the western slope Of the mountains
where rose the headwaters Of the
Fever river.
The wagons, composing the largest
lamp on the trail, had one by one been
driven forward from their camping
ground on their journey up the noun
tain side, except one, whose owner,
left alone. mounted his wagon, and.
without hesitation. took the trail down
the mountain. As no camp rule had
been broken, he was permitted TO
move on down the mountain-side, and
arrived In the middle of the day at the
last camping place next to the one
where he had separated from the
train. Arriving at this point the trav.
eler unhitched his team, with the evi.
dent design OF remaining in his loca.
ton for some length OF time.
Thomas Wickersham had long been
a citizen Of Grass Valley, in the new
country Of Kansas. before he began to
depart from his customary habits of
slumber and dream, time after time,
that he was engaged in Telling a giant
tree whose decayed interior was the
receptacle Of an immense hoard OF vir-
gin gold. Beyond the fact that his
dream occurred with great persisten.
cy. Thomas Wickersham was unable
to go in explanation OF this phenom-
enon. His mind had not dwelt on the
possession Of gold above his neighbors.
What surprised him greatly was the
Photographic likeness OF one dream to
another-always the same surround
ings, the same landscape. the same
mountains, the same ravine, with the
same great tree leaning above It, him.
self sinking his ak deep into the fbers
OF the tree, its fall. and the pebbly
gold that ran from the hollow and
spread in a mighty heap upon the
ground-ecstatlc possession OF illimit.
able wealth. that vanished with the
Punishment OF sleep.
This having. and then not having.
wore on Thomas Wlckersham, whose
attention, no doubt, was the more
deeply engaged In coincidental mat
ter because of II. This matter was the
sudden discovery of gold fields OF UNI
usual richness at Aladdin creek, one OF
the head-waters of Fever river, west,
beyond the mountains.
Thomas Wickersham's auriferous
dream must have aroused In him an
adventurous spirit. for he was pos
sessed at once with a determination TO
try his fortunes In the gold fields, and
the expiration of few short weeks
saw him rolling westward in company
with other emigrants. In train of can
vas-covered wagons. bound to the Ell
dorado of Aladdin creek.
II was Thomas Wickersham who re-
turned to the abandoned camp, be-
cause II was the place OF his dream,
every feature coinciding with its de-
tail. The discovery had been unex-
pected Chosen TO ride ahead to locate
the place selected for the camping
ground for the night, Wickersham had
suddenly found himself face 10 face
with place as familiar to him as the
country lying around Grass Valley.
During the night he determined to
move with the train a days journey
up the mountains, beyond the fear of
inquisitive companions, and then re.
turn to probe the mystery.
The day ON which he arrived back.
and more than half the following
day. were spent in preparing for ef-
fective investigation. First the great
! tree was to be felled. and II no show.
err OF gold came Of that, then some
thing else might be done. Having Sc
lected his point OF attack, he swung
his AK, that fell, biting keenly into its
trunk. To contemplate the posslbili-
ties before him. he let his hands fall
from the ax-helve, that stood stifiy
out from the tree, and stepped back
pace.
While regarding the situation In this
contemplative spirit, he caught sight of
a covered wagon driven downfall to.
ward his camp. He remained inactive
awaiting the passage of the wagon and
Its occupant. That did not occur. The
wagon, instead. drew in and came to
stand-still. The driver dismounted
and approached glancing curIously at
the AK extended from the tree. He
greeted Thomas Wickersham, who re-
turned the greeting and then simply
stood waiting. This last.comer, the
elder OF the two by several years
seemed greatly embarrassed. but at
length said:
Il clearly perceive that you are en-.
titled to tho reasons for my appear.
ing here, but ! must say that am at
loss TO state them, not so much he
cause they are not clear to me. as by
reason OF the unexpected appearance
here OF fulfillment of certain designs
by another that ! supposed could only
possibly be entertained by mlself.
Il find that you have proceeded here
TO the same extent and practically in
the same manner I had designed to
do, even TO your beginning TO fell the
tree before us You have preceded me
here, and are entitled to the rights of
a prior possessor. | will state nv
case, and we can then decide 10 what
extent It interferes with any claims
you may have and desire to retain.
Il am a farmer, as you may con.
lecture. and my home is at Rapid
Jack, in Nebraska. The gold fever
that has swept the west found me dis.
traoted from my usual routine OF du.
lies by the frequent occurrence OF a
dream that presented each time the
same features, never deviating. OF a
| mountain scene crossed nv n ravfne