The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-07-31
WAS 1T A
DREAM?
BY WILLIAM CHANDLER

American history. These things /
mention because they bear upon the
experience / am about to relate. New
err having heard or read Of the char
acters shall mention, it is impossible
that should have conjured them up
from memory.
One autumn / left my home for
tour In the middle west. Reaching
Pittsburgh, made 1t starting point
for visiting Ohio river towns between
1t and Cincinnati. The Ohio, which
the early French settlers named La
Belle Riviere beautiful river), afforded
such attractive scenery that at MARI
eta I left regular modes of travel,
hired rowboat and, putting my bag
gage in 1t, principally trunk full OF
samples, drifted-there was no need of
pulling-down the river, intending TO
take in the principal towns by the way.
Shortly before nightfall / came to an
island so beautiful that ! was tempted
TO land and inspect it. Tying my boat
20 the point that formed its upper end.
I made my way through underbrush
and clearings There was no one on
this part Of the island, and I was op-
pressed by feeling OF loneliness. Re-
turning to my boat, supped from the
contents Of a lunch basket had
bought for myself Old the shore wrap
ped myself in my blankets anc turn
ed In.
The night was chilly, and I failed to
keep warm. Rising to walk about for
a few minutes, looking southwark
saw a large dwelling house, most OF
the windows of which were illuminat-
ed. / thought it strange that | had
not seen it during my walk at night
fall. Hoping to secure warm bed.
went to the house. which was perhaps
quarter of mile distant. AS ap-
preached saw that it was Of colonial
build, with a pair of wings Before 1t
was lawn and behind it were trees.
Knocking, was admitted by an old
darby, and on my asking if ] could
get a lodging for the night he called
his mistress, who came out into the
spacious hall. She was pleasant
looking lady about thirty years old
and of courtly manners. When | ask
ed her If could be accommodated for
the night she replied with the accent
of an Irish lady of high degree that
would be welcome TO the best her
home afforded and invited me into the
living room.
/ was struck at once with the furni-
ture, which had either been there for
a hundred years or had been purchased
from some dealer In curios. There was
a large fireplace in the room, In which
burned a cheerful blaze to take or the
chill autumn air. The lady left me 10
order some refreshment, and, all being
still. / could hear voices In an adjoin.
ing room separated by thin paru-
ton. One was the voice OF the lady
who had left me. the other that OF
man with the same infection-an Irish
gentleman.
81 fear" be said. that the colonel is
about TO lead us all into a wild
scheme"
at can be no more visionary than
our coming across an ocean TO build
a home on this desolate island. For
my part have great confidence in the
man and his scheme. | believe be will
be able to carry it through successful
~, and we shall be very rich"
TT is you. my dear" replied the
man, who have been infatuated by
this man who they say can win any
woman. / am engaged In a scheme
with one whom have never seen. but
who has won you to It and through
you me. Suppose some OF the persons
be has taken into his confidence
/ heard no more then. Whether l
iozed in the interim don't know, but
presently I heard voices again. one
the Irishman, the other man who
.poke In melodious tones.
I'VE must give out that the land
speculation is our real purpose" said
he latter. "and offer a hundred acres
% each and ali OF our adberents.'
But suppose there Is no war with
spsinY suggested the Irishman.
We must bring on a war. The gen
sraI''-
Again there was az interim or q
lumber nom which I was awakened
N a crash. Starting up, ! went into
he bail IN time 20 see that men with
nuskets, having broken down the from;
Ioor, were pushing into the house.
tome children at the head Of the main
taircase were looking down in terror
rhen followed a scene OF destruction
hat shall never forget. Tie sol
iers-for such they seemed 20 be-
vere roaring abont the house. most OF
hem drunk and all helping themselves
. what they wanted Then suddenly
be Irish lady appeared and was pro
estlng. when suddenly : found ny
eif lying on the ground shirering. Il
rns coming dawn. and ! saw that
ras amid = ruin. the only surviving
hing being a well house
Returning 20 mv boat. ] dropped
own the river and a. the FIRST landing I
lace told ms strange experience . .
ian 70 whom ! sold . bIli q goods.
Great heavens be exclaimed. You
lust have slspt on Biennsrhassetf's -
md
what's Biennerhasseff's tsinndF
TIE place where AHrun Rurr's con
piracy - 1906 vss hsfched. You have
vr,e~lourrH a. dreamed s~enes Inst
rers eractsd mere thEn e hundred