New-York tribune., 1841-04-17

You have lantern there said the traveller. DIS
r1ounting . lend me for moment You have wounded
m, morse | think with your shaft or wheel.
Wounded him.. cried the other; . If | haven't siied
him, it no fault OF What you mean by gaoPins
along the king highway like that, eh ?"
Give me the light returned the traveller, sna'ching
from his hand and do nj ask idle questions o man who
is in no mood for talking"
If YOU had said YOU in mood for talking before
should perhaps, have been in mood for lighting sad
the voice hovs ever ii the poor horse that dam.
aged and you. Of YOU welcome TO the Igt a all
events; but it s the crlsty ono.
The traveller returned this speech but hold
n the light painting and rocking beast examined
him in limb and Meanwhile the other man sat very
composedly in his vehicle which kind OF chaist with
depository for large bag of tools and watched ms pro-
cccdings with careful eye.
The locker on was round rcd-faced sturdy yeoman with
double chin and voice husky with goodvns good-see
ing good humor and good health He was past the prime
Of life but Father Time always hard parent and
though he tarrc. of his children often lays his hand
lightly upon those who have used him we'll making them old
men and women ncxoraby enough but leaving their hearts
and spirits Young, and in full vgor With such people the
grey head bu, the impression of the old fellow hand IN
giving them his blessing and ever wrinkle but nsch IN the
quiet caeadar OF a wel-spcnt life.
The person whom the traveller had abruptly encountered
was of this kind-bui hale hearty and in old
At peace with himself and evidently disposed be with
all the world Although mucd up ndycrs c-a and cloaks
which passed over his and tied IN convenient
crease Of his double chin secured his rcc-corned nat and
bob-wig from blowing off his head-hozc no disgusng
his prhp and comfortable figure neither did certain dirty
ngcr-narks upon his face any other than odd and
conica expression through which It's natural good hunor
shonc with undimnished lustrc.
He hurt, said the traveller az length raising MS
head and the light together
You have found hnt last have you rcjolned the
old man Ny eyes have more light than yours but
would Mt change with YOU.
''What do you mean 2?
Mean i could huvc told you he was Mt hur; FIVE min
utcs ago Give me the light friend ride forward al gen.
tie pace and good night
In handing up the lantern the necessarily cast ITS rays
full the speakers face. Their eyes met at the Instant
He suddenly droppcd and crushed it with his foot.
Saw YOU never ocksmh before that start as 1t you
had conc upon ghost? cried the old in the chaisc
this, he added hastily, thrusng his hand INTO the
oobashet and drawing out hummer scheme ior foo
bing me know these roads friend When travel thsIn
carry nothing but few shilngs and crown worth
of them. tell YOU plainly both trouble, that
there nothing be got from me but pretty strong arm
considering nv wears and this tool which mayhap IRON long
acquaintance with pretty bsk!y You shall not
have i, nil your own way, promise you if You play at that
game With thcsc words he stood upon the defensive
| am not what you take for, Gabriel Vardon, said
the other.
Then what and who are you 7" returned the ocksmith
~ Yop know nv name i, seems. Let me know yours.
have not gained the information from any confidence OF
YOURS but from the inscription your cart which tells 1t 10
all the town. replied the traveller.
"You have eyes for that than YOU have for your
Who are you Let your face
While the locksmth agtcd the traveller had regaincd his
saddle from which ne now confronted the Old man. VINO,
moving the horse moved in chang under the tgh;cned
rein, kept close behind him.
:" Let your face, say.
Stand off y
No masqucraing tricks said the loctsmith and tale;
m the club tomorrow how Gabriel Vardon was frightened
by suy vocc and dark night Stand Let NE see your
face
Finding that further resistance would only involve him IN
personal struggle with antagons, by no means TO be de-
pisc the traveller threw back his coat and stopping down.
looked steadily the locksmith
Perhaps two powerfully contrastcd, never OPP
posed other face face The rudly features OF the
ocksrh so and highicncd the excessive pallor OF
the man on horseback that he looked like boodess ghost
while the moisture which hard riding had brought out upon
his kin hung there in dark and heavy drops like dew OF
agony and death The countcnancc OF the old lochSth
was lighted up with the smile OF expecting TO detect IN
this unromisin stranger latent roguery OF eye or Up
which should reveal familiar person that arch disguise
and spoil his Jest; The face OF the other S!en and hcrcc
but shrinking too that OF man VINO stood ut bay
while his irmv-closcd Jaws his puckccd mouth and more
than all Il certain stcaltly motion OF the hand within ms
breast seemed desperate purpose very foreign
to acting child play
Thu. they regarded each other for time in silence
"Humph' he said, when he had scanned his features
:" | do Mt know you. ..
don't. said Gabriel To be plain with you, friend,
Won do Mt carry your letter of recommend
alton"
be avoided.
..wcl said the ocksmth bun'y, think yea II have
your humor
will at any cost rjOncd the traveller " In proof Of
il law this to heart-tht you never IN such peril o'
you life as you have been within these few minutes when
YOU are within minutes OF breathing your last you VIII
NOT he nearer death than YOU have been tonight
"Ay" said the sturdy iocksmith
Az and a violent death.
From whose hand ?,
From mine, replied the traveller
With that he put spurs TO ms horse and rode a" al ,s'
M Msh; heavily through the mirc u ,rot, but eratu
ay increasing in speed unt the last sound of his horse
Loo died away upon the wind when he again hurryns
on nj the same furious galop which had been ms pace when
the locLSmi,h frs; encountered him
CHAPTER ILL.,
V,-jo, remained standing road with the