The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-10-10

succession. 30 here, again, had
good fortune-the best of fortunes
stolen so near, that her garments
brushed against him; and he knew
nothing of the matter.
The girl was hardly out of sight,
when two men turned aside beneath
the maple shade.-Both had dark
faces, set off by cloth caps, which
were drawn down aslant over their
brows. Their dresses were shabby,
yet had a certain smartness. These
were cople Of rascals, who got
their living by whatever the devil
sent them, and now, in the interim
of other business, had staked the
Joint profits of their next piece of
villany Oh game of cards, which
was to have been decided here I'M
der the trees. But, finding David
asleep by the spring, one of the
rogues whispered to the other.
"Hist do you see that bundle
under his head ?''
The other villain nodded, winked,
and leered.
"Fll bet you horn of brandy"
said the first, "that the chap has
either a pocketbook, or snug little
hoard of small change, slowed away
amongst his shirts. And if not there,
we shall find it in his pantaloons'
pocket"
"But how if he wakes ?" said the
other.
His companion thrust aside his
waistcoat, pointed to the handle of a
dirk, and nodded.
But at this moment, dog, scent
ing along the ground, came in be-
meath the maple trees, and gazed
alternately at each of these wicked
men, and then at the quiet sleeper.
He then Tapped out of the foun-
tain. ......
"Pshaw ~ said one villain. eve
can do nothing now. The dogs
master must be close behind.'
"Let's take drink, and be off,"
said the other.
The man with the dagger thrust
back the weapon into his bosom,
and drew forth pocket pistol, but
not of that kind which kills by a
single discharge. 1t was a flask of
liquor, with a block-tin tumblcr
screwed upon the mouth. Each
drank a comfortable dram, and left
the spot, with so many jests, and
such laughter at their unaccom-
plishcd wickedness, that they might
be said to have gone on their way
rejoicing. In few hours, they had
forgotten the whole affair, nor once
imagining that the recording angel
had written down the crime of MUIR
der against their soules, in letters
as durable as eternity. As for Da-
vid Swan, he still slept quietly, nci-
Their concious of the shadow of death
when it hung over him, nor of the
glow of renewed life, when the sha-
dow was withdrawn.
He slept, but no longer so quietly
as at first. An hours rcposc had
snatched from his elastic frame the
WEAKNESS with which many hours
of toll had burthcned it. Now, lie
stirred-now moves his lips, without
a sound-now, talked, in an inward
tone, to the noon-day spcctrcss of
his dream. But a noise of wheels
came rafting louder and louder
along the road, until it dashed thro'
the dispensing mist of David's slum-
ber-and there was the stage coach.
He started up with all his ideas
about him.
"Halloo, driver Take a passcn-
gcrr' shouted he.
Groom on top?' answered the
driver.
Up mounted David, and bowled
away mcrrily towards Boston, with
out SO much as a parting glance at
that fountain of dreamlikc vicissi-
tudc. He knew not that a phantom
of wealth had thrown a golden hue
upon its waters-nor that one of
love had sighed softly to their muir
murs-nor that one Of death had
threatened to crimson them with
his blood-all, in the brief hour
since he lay down to sleep. Sleep
ing or waking, we hear not the airy
footsteps of the strange things that
almost happen. Does it not argue
a experimenting Providence, that,
while vicwless and unexpected
events thrust themselves continually
athwart our path, there should still
be regularity enough, in mortal life,
to render foresight even partially
available.
N1nzii,I. Advice 10 his son.
We have been much interested in
Hazlitt's Table Talk, which forms
Part III of Wiley g. Putnam's Libra
ny of Choice Reading. From his
advice to his son going from home to