Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1911-04-13

KNSrXtNNI TIC NSstNtlu 1T luc SuAl
NzSy init of the road | came upoi
the village of Brayle
| shifted my knapsack from my
shoulder and, leaning upon my staff
stood contemplating one of the most
glorious panoramas my eyes had ever
rested upon. Behind me to the north
stretching away eastward and west
ward, the great mountain range lifted
its frowning tops to heaven. and to
the south and southwest, from whence
/ had come, the world fell down to
ward verdure and cultivation and
: lands watered by streams, which grew
slowly and joined together into riv.
err far away toward the horizon.
AS evening came rapidly over the
lower lands and chill wind strucl,
the mountain road entered the vii
lage and went toward long, low
building which seemed likely to afford
q resting place for the night. -Four
men were sitting at rough table
smoking and drinking. They were in
eager IL not an angry conversation,
but stopped as l entered and looked
at me in surprise. One of them seem
ed delighted at my advent, for he cried
out excitedly:
"The proof! The proof! Look!
Here Is one Of themr'
Another man, whom I rightly took
to be the proprietor of the establish
ment, growled savagely at him to be
silent and then rose and saluted me-
You are traveller, just an ordinary
traveler?'
Yes: oh, yes" l answered.
There was something in his tone
which had the effect of taking the
conceit out of one. have never con-
sidered myself quite an ordinary trav-
eler
You see. Mustapham he said In tri-
umph.
The man addressed looked at me fix
edly, but did not speak. He had sprung
exeitedly from his seat at my en-
trance
II want to stay here tonight went
on. Tomorrow l may go farther, or
the next day, or it may be next week
1t all depends what | find to interest
me. There is fine waterfall near
Brayle, I have heard"
rs it only for this you have come ?"
asked Mustapha, with some contempt
"Yes," l answered, throwing down
my knapsack and spreading out my
hands to the blaze. What else should
have come for?"
The disappointment in the mans face
was quite comical. and his companions
burst out laughing.
Take no notice of what he says
laughed the landlord. "Mustapha is
dreamer. He sees armies along the
mountain tops when others see only
snow He hears the ring of steel In
every tinkling goat bell and the shout
of war In the bark of every dog. A
wonderful dreamer is Mustapha."
II said nothing of armies; said
armed men," the dreamer returned
sullenly.
Il am not armed" | observed.
MANY of the men l have seen are
not armed" he returned, but they are
no ordinary travellers. They all go the
same Way-yOnder
His attitude was unconsciously dra-
matte as he stretched out his arm.
pointing toward the mountains to the
north.
where Is yonderr" l asked, more
for the sake of saying something than
because wanted to know.
81 only know the legend which every
body knows and which everybody
laughs at, but l am wiser than every
body. because | don't laugh
A roar Of merriment greeted this
assertion. could not help joining
In 1t.
LET me eat first, and then we'll
have the story. The story will wait
md my hunger is too ripe to keep"
OF necessity in this history | must
talE OF myself. am the hero of it,
and he's poor hero indeed who isn't
worth talking about. | was wan.
1erer by inclination, not of necessity.
and. although not actually seeking ad.
venture, / was not unwilling to enjoy
some mild form of enterprise should
such come my way. but little thought
Of the strange experiences which Law
before me. Few people even If they
are interested will believe the story
and will say Of me. as was said of
HE is a stupid dreamer.
To these | can honestly confess that I
shonld sometimes doubt the history