The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-08-05
WAS 1T A.
DREAMp
By WILLIAM CHANDLER


ton and am lamentably ignorant of
American history. These things /
mention because they bear upon the
experience am about to relate. New
er having heard or read of the char
acters l shall mention, 1t is impossible
that should have conjured them up
from memory.
One autumn l left my home for a
tour In the middle west. Reaching
Pittsburgh. made ii starting point
for visiting Ohio river towns between
It and Cincinnati. The Ohio, which
the early French settlers named La
Belle Riviere beautiful river. afforded
such attractive scenery that at Mari
hired a rowboat and, putting my bag
gage In it. principally a 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 l came to an
island so beautiful that was tempted
10 land and inspect it Tying my boat
made my way through underbrush
and clearings. There was no one on
this part of the island. and was op-
pressed by feeling of loneliness. Re
turning to my boat, supped from the
contents of lunch basket ! had
bought for myself on the shore, wrap
ped myself in my blankets and turn
cd in.
The night was chilly. and failed to
keep warm. Rising to walk about for
few minutes, looking southwark /
saw large dwelling house, most of
the windows of which were iluminat-
ed. ! thought It strange that / had
not seen It during my walk at night
fall. Hoping to secure a warm bed,
went to the house. which was perhaps
q quarter of a mile distant As I ap-
preached saw that 1t was OF colonial
build, with pair Of wings, Before 1t
was lawn and behind 1t were trees.
Knocking, was admitted by an old
darby, and on my asking IL could
get a lodging for the night he called
his mistress, who came out into the
spacious hall. She was a pleasant
looking lady about thirty years old
and Of courtly manners. When / ask
ed her If l 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 cheerful blaze to take of the
chill autumn air. The lady left me to
order some refreshment, and. all being
still. | could hear voices In an adjoin.
ing room separated by a thin parti-
ton. One was the voice of the lady
who had left me. the other that Of
man with the same infiection-an Irish
gentleman.
II fear" he said, that the colonel is
about to lead us all into wild
scheme"
ut can be no more visionary than
our coming across an ocean to build
q home on this desolate island. For
my part have great confidence In the
man and his scheme believe he will
be able to carry 1t through successful
ly, and we shall be very rich"
sit 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 l have never seen, but
who has won you to It and through
you me. Suppose some Of the persons
he has taken into his CONFIDENCE
! heard no more then. Whether l
dozed In the interim ! don't know, but
presently heard voices again. one
the Irishman, the other a man who
spoke In melodious tones.
1--WE must give out that the land
speculation Is our real purpose" said
the latter, "and offer a hundred acres
to each and all of our adherents."
.But suppose there is no war with
EpainT' suggested the Irishman.
I'VE must bring on war. The gen.
eral''--
Again there was an interim or a
slumber from which l was awakened
By crash. Starting up, went into
the hall In time to see that men with
muskets, having broken down the front
door. were pushing into the house.
Some children at the head Of the main
staircase were looking down in terror.
Then followed scene OF destruction
that l shall never forget. The SOL
Afara--for auch thov aoauaad ta ho-
were roaring about the house, most of
them drunk and all helping themselves
70 what they wanted. Then suddenly
the Irish lady appeared and was pro-
testing, when suddenly ! found my
self lying on the ground shivering. 1t
was coming dawn. and saw that /
was amid ruin, the only surviving
thing being a well house
Returning to my boat, dropped
~ A. T..