The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-09-04

out, tho fields had dccIied themselves in gala
dress; could scent from distance the per-
| iume Ofthe fields, filed with the white mar
cissus aud small red tulips.
| went on lightly, refreshed by the morn
| ing breo2o,& eNharated by the beauty ofthc
| day. Twas happy without knowing why.
! Life seemed to me filed with blossoms and
vast ms the horizon before me. Oh my God.
| cried, how pleasant is Iiic and | immGdi-
atcly began TO think of;he unfortunate being
| who had undoubtedly passed along the same
road only few hours before. This feeling
gave me much pain, and rGprcsscd all my
sensations Of happiness ] had great pity
for this man. who still in the bloom of youth,
was about TO close his eyes to the sun, to bid
adicu TO the earth, and leave by II violent
| death, this earth found so beautiful. These
thoughts oppressed INC. walked more rap
| idly TO escape them. | would have given
all the world to have found some one TO hnvc
spoken to. But wugOnuers alone passed o.
yer the road, and wien bowed without tax
ing oilmy hat, saying, good day my honest
man, and they had answered, God grant it,,
sir, there our conversation stopped.
/ Al length, 81 orlly before reaching tho inn
of Nas-dc-vcln, saw man dressed in black,
who was proceeding along the edge Of the
road, with his hands behind his back, like II
/ traveller in no haste to arrive. | quickencd
my steps to ovewakc him, and examined
him from the corner Of my eye, walking al
most side by side with him, without his ever
looking towards me. He was Il man about
fifty years ofugc, very tall and somewhat
bent: large green round GLASSES concealed his
eyes, and his chin was buried ina loose era
vat, the ends of which iloatCd in the mir; his
coat fine black broadclOth was OF some
what antiquuted cut. lie wore culOrcd stock
iugs and shoes somewhat worn. The whole
ofhis dress, though neat and well cared for,
announced man much behind the fashion.
What could see ofhs face between the
green glasses and the cravat, had II calm and
benignunt expression that interested ne. 1t
seemed to me, that had seen this man or
one who rcscnbled him, somewhere. and
not Il great while ago. Ala once rccol-
ectcd the court ofassises, the criminal and
the brother who was 10y his side, his face
concealed by his handkerchief it was indeed
1 the same FORM the same dress the same gen
cral appearance. This produced upon me Il
certain effect, not that exactly drew back,
hut Remained little behind him: but Incl
ted by feelings ofcuriosity y somewhat sur
priscd ut meeting this man, ! sought To over
lake him in order to speak to him. Then ]
stopped short; soon after hastenel on and
passed him, with the determination oi'lcting
him ovcrtakc me; but | suffered him to 90 10y
me. In this way we walked II quarter of Il
league, alternately passing him and being
passed, without his seeming to notice my
management. At last determined TO enter
into a conversation, and yet not knowing
how, said to him, with ciumsincss wor-
thy Of a boy; "Sir. will you be so good as
TO tell me what o'clock it is:'
The question had an air of inIpcrtineucc,
and perceived it myself but he did not APP
pear to Blind it, and drawing from his peck
ct n very handsome watch, he replied, with
out looking at me, " sir it wants IL quarter of
eight"
"Then by walking pretty fast we can reach
Marseilles 10y noon. This is Il very pleasant
day, sir"
lie nodded his head in token of assent.
When | saw lac did not wish to speak, nm
mcdiutcly rcsuned at is Il heavenly day yet
am somewhat wearicd of walking only with
myself ] Lave been impatient to meet some
foot traveller like myself"
He stopped, aud looking me in the face, he
said to me with Il sort of humble and meInn-
choIy dignity 81 presume, sir, you do not
know who ann"
. This word removed all doubt: | vcnturod
to aIlude to his situation, and ] cried with
emphasis
= otis crime, but nota scafIoId, brings dis
grace. have no'prciudiccs sir, thanks TO Il
, good education. All men should think as
do"
"Ah, SIR said he, "you are perhaps the
only one"
"Thc world acts adsurdly," said to HIM
taking much pride and satisfaction in my pro
fession OF phiIosophic faith; cit violates the
great principles Of Justice and equity. III
my Judgment each ono is the child othls own
works" / stopped for fear lest | might
! lose myself in trade, of which could not
clearly see the end, and because words fat
ed me and returning, by Il rapid transition,
to the idea with which was ut first possess
: ed, cried: ''oh sir! how pity you; what Il
horrible day tomorrow must be TO you"
"Enough, sir" he Interrupted, in voice
F, of emotion, Sin Heavens name speak lie
moro ofit!"
, then found no more to speak to him u
: bout, so much was | absorbed in the horror
ofthat fatal morrow. lie, for his part, walk
l ed along with downcust face. | could no
' distinguish his expression through his greol
l glasses, but fancied it was detected ant
fearful. We proceeded in silence for sever
al minutes;then the worthy gentleman said Il
u me- with IL tranquility that seemed to me tho
= most sublime effort of resignation and PHI
V iCsQphy:
r GLOW much enjoy this pleasant weather
= There is something in tho air Sc fresh, 81
o sweet, that it inparts sense Of rcposc tC
! both mind and body"
F, care you fond Of the country" said /, II
| random.
c eyes, ! love the sight ofthe fields ana es
n pecialy am fond of solitude; there | car
breathe and feel that live. The hnppes
= DAYS are those pass with my family, in
: little spot of ground where | cultivate m.
Il flowers and some fruit trees"
S care you married, sir?"
e 81 am widower, after having been twc,
c married." he replied, with sigh.