Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-30
VOLUME VII. NO. %.

and, leaning on the other took such look at
Alice. He knew long before that Alice was
beantitui-he knew that ten years before, but
he never took such look at her in his life
A living pack" said Richard. "Why. the
woman is mad, without all doubt" "Oh, Rich.
ard come away. Heaven knows what IS in il.
but saw it moving as plainly as see YOU at
present. Make haste, and come away. Rich
ard"
Richard did not stand to expostulate any lon.
ger, no even to put on his coat, bnt followed AL
ice into the house, assuring her by the way, that
1t was nothing but whim, and of piece with
many of her phantasies.
~ But" added he, "of all the foolish ideas
which ever possessed your brain, this is the most
unieaslble, unnatural, and impossible. How
can pack made up of Napkins end muslins.
and corduroy breeches, perhaps, ever become
allVe' Il is even worse than to suppose that a.
horses hair will turn into an eel" So saving.
he lifted the candle out of the Jug, and turning
about, never stopped till he had his hand upon
the pack. He felt the deals that surrounded its
edges to prevent the goods being rumped and
spoiled by carrying, the cords that bound it. and
the canvass in which it was wrapped. "The
pack was well enough, he found nought about
1t that other packs wanted. 1t was Just like 9TH
er packs made up of the same stuff. He saw
nought that allied it. And good large pack It
was. 1t would cost the honest man G2O0, if not
more. 1t would cost him G30O or $3.50 if the
goods were fine. But he would make it all I'D
again by cheating fools, like Alice, with his
gewgays."
Alice testified some little disappointment at
seeing Richard unconvnced, even by oecuar
proof She wished she had never seen him or
it howsomever-fo she was convinced that there
was something mysterious about it; that they
were stolen goods, or something that woy-and
she was terrified to stay in the house with it.
But Richard assured her that the pack was
right enough pack.
During this conversation in comes Edward.
He was lad about sixteen years of age. son to
coal driver on the border-wus possessed of q
good deal of humor and ingenuity, but some.
what roguish, forward, and comm rnly very rag.
gid, in his apparel. fIe was about this time
wholly intent on shooting the crows and birds of
various kinds, that alighted in whole focks
where he foddered his cattle lie had bought
a huge old military gun, which he denominated
Copenhagen, and was continually laundering
away at them. He seldom killed any, if ever
but he once or twice knocked off few feathers
end, after much narrow inspection. discovered
some drops of blood on the show He was al
this very moment come, in great haste, for Co.
penhagen, having seen a glorious chance of
sparrows, and robbin red breast among them.
feeding on the site of a corn rick, but hearing
them talk of something mysterious, and living
pack, he pricked up his ears and was all atten
tion
Faith, Alice" said he "if you'll let me, Pll
shoot it."
"Hod your peace you fool said Richard
Edward took the candle from Richard. who still
held it in his hand, and gliding down the pas
sage, edged up the parlor door, and watched the
pack attentlvey for about two minutes, He
then came back with spring, and with Looks
very different from those which regulated his
features as he went down. As sure as he had
death to meet with, he saw it stirring "Hold
your peace, you fool" said Richard. Edward
swore again that he saw it stirring but wheth.
er he really thought SO, or only SAID 50, is hard
to determine.
"Faith, Alice" said he again, elf you will
let me, l'll shoot it,"
81 tell you hold your peace, you fool,o said
Richard.
"No," said Edward, sin the multitude Of
counsellors there Is safety--and | will maintain
this to be our safest plan. Our masters House
is consigned to our care, and the wealth that it
contains may tempt some people to use strate
gems. Now, if we open up this mans pack. he
may pursue us for damagosto to any amount but
if / shoot it, what amends can he get of me p
If there is any thing that should not be there.
Lord how will pepperit Ifit is lawful goods
he can only make me pay for the few that are
damaged, which will get at valuation; so, if
none ofyou will acquiesce, he would take all the
blame upon himself, and ware shot upon it.
Rich1rd said, whatever was the consequence he
would be blameess
half delirous smile rather distorted than
beautified Alice's pretty face, but Edward took
it for an assent to what he had been advancing.
so, snatching up Copenhagen in one hand and
the candle In the other, he hastened down the
passage, and without hesitating one moment,
fired on the pack. Gracious heaven The
blood gushed out upon the floor like torrent.
and a hedeous roar, followed by the groans of
death, issued from the pack. Edward dropped
Copenhagen upon the ground, and ran into
the kitchen like one distracted. The kitchen
was darkish, for he had left the candle in the
parlor-so, taking to the door, without being
able to utter a word, he ran to the hills like n
wild roe, looking over each shoulder, as fast as
he could turn his head from one side to the 9th.
| er
Alice followed as fast as she could, but los,
half the way of Edward. She was all the wav
signing aud crying most pitifully. Old Rich
ard stood for short length oftime in state of
petritaction, but at length, after some hasty
CALCULATIONS, he went into the paror The en-.
tire floor was covered with blood. The pack
had thrown itself on the ground; but the groans
and cries had ceased, and only kind of quite
raj noise was heard.
knowing that something must be done he
ran after his companions, and called on them to
come back. Though Edward had escaped a
good way, and was still perseverng on, yet as
he never took long time to consider of the util-
ity of any thing, but acted from immediate inn
pulse, he turned, and came as fast back as he