The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1911-05-24

snow capped mountains to
k=-S.-.SI the westward as at the sum
VI NIT of the road I came upon
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 wntered by streams, which grew
slowly and Joined together into a riv-
er far away toward the horizon.
As evening came rapidly over the
lower lands and a chill wind struck
the mountain road l entered the vii
lage and went toward a long, low
building which seemed likely to afford
q resting place for the night Four
men were sitting Mt n rough table
smoking and drinking. They were In
eager II not an angry conversation,
but stopped as I 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 them-'
Another man. whom I rightly took
to be the proprietor of the establish
ment. growled savngely at him to be
silent and then rose and saluted me.
You are "A traveller. just an ordinary
travelerT''
yes; oh. yes" answered.
There was something in his tone
which had the effect OF taking the
conceIt out Of one. I have never con
sidered myself quite an ordinary trav-
eler.
"You see. Mustaphar' he said in tri-
umph.
The man addressed looked at me tx
edly. but did not speak He had sprung
excitedly from his seat at my en-
trance.
II want to stay here tonight I went
on Tomorrow I may go farther. or
the next day. or 1t may be next week.
II all depends what I ind to Interest
me. There IL fne waterfall near
Brnyie. I have heard"
as II only for this you have come -
asked Mustapha. with some contempt
yes" I answered. throwing down
my knapsack and spreading out my
hands to the blaze. What else should
I have come for?'
The disappointment in the mans fac,
was quite comical. and his companions
burst out laughing.
Take no notice of what he says"
laughed the landlord. 'Mustnpha is a
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.
II nm not armed" l observed
MANY of the men I have seen are
not armed" he returned. but they are
no ordinary travellers They all go the
same way-yonder"
His attitude was uncousciously ORA
matte as he stretched out his arm.
pointing toward the mountains to the
north.
where is yonderf" l asked. more
for the sake of saying something than
because I wanted to know.
II only know the legend which every
body knows and which everybody
Inughs at. but I am wiser than every
body, because don't laugh"
A roar of merriment greeted this
assertion couid NOT help Joining
In IT,
LET me eat first. and then we'll
have the story. The story will wait.
and my hunger is too ripe TO keep"
or necessity in this history l must
talk of myself. | am the hero OF 1t,