Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-01-06

h
amongst his rich friends begged, implored, con.
jured them by all that was most sacred, to save
him from despair: not one extended hand. He
met beggar by the roadside, who shared his
loaf with him Kuntz brought the bread home,
threw it on the table, and said to his wife, +" Eat,
woman | have dined."
Meanwhile the storm ragged outside, the wind
roared like hungry lion, and the snow fell dense
and heavy. The sacred night-b birds came flap
ping their heavy wings against the windows, at
tracted by the light from the cottage, within
which sat the husband and wife, face to face,
yet scarcely daring to look at each other, or, if
thelr eyes met, each started at the wild, ghastly
expression upon the face of the other.
AT this moment traveller knocked the pair
within trembled. Another knock, and, Trude
opened the door.
A fine young man, Of about four-und-twenty,
entered, dressed as hunter, with pistols in his
belt, along with his purse, hunting knife by
his side, and stout mountain staff in his hand.
Kuntz and Trdde both locked at the belt, and
then exchanged rapid glance.
you are welcome" said Kuntz, extending
his hand; but your hand troubles"
at is from cold" said the young man regard
ing him with strange expression; then, open
ing his sack, he produced fowl, fried meat, and
a flask of brandy will you set up with me ?
he said.
81 never eat fowl" said Kuniz.
"Nor l." said Trude.
"Nor |" said the traveller.
And all three supped on the other things
Then, supper being over, Trude went to the
inner room, put mattrass on the floor, and, re-
turning said TO the stranger, "Your bed il
ready"
"Good night, then," he replied.
"a good nights rest to you," responded
Kunz
Trude threw herself on the bed. Kuntz ben
down with his head buried in his hands.
Aftera few minutes the traveller rose up
placed his belt ander his head, and hung up hi
clothes on nail in the wall the nail was OLE
and rusty, it fell and the clothes along with it
The young man tried to hammer it In again will
his fist, and the vibration caused some article t.
fall which was hung at the other side Of thu
wall.
Kuntz looked up. It was the knife, the &C
cursed knife, stained with the blood Of two mur
ders, which had fallen, and now lay close to tn
door of the strangers room. He rose to take
up, and while doing SO he caught glimpse Q
the young man as he lay asleep, his head restin
upon the belt Kunlz kept his eye some tim
at the keyhols, while his hand held the knife
Then the lamp went out in the travellers cham
ber, and Kuntz turued to see if Trude slept.
Trude was sitting up, her head on her hal nt
her eyes fixed on her husband.
Rise," he said, 5" and hold the lamp, sine
thou dost not see."
Trude took the lamp Kuntz opened the doo
and both entered the room of the sleeping mar
Kunlz grasped the strangers belt with one hant
and held the knife lifted with the other.
The sleeper stirred, the knife fell and so sur
was the aim that the young man had only tim
to exclaim, "My father!"
Kunz had killed his own SON.
The young man had been abroad, hnd mad
his fortune, and had now returned 10 share it wit
his poor parents.
One may imagine how the tragedy haunte
me as ascended the mountain. In fact, tn
desire to see the inn where all these terribl
events he'd happened, was my principal motlV
for visiting Mount Gemm. The scene was
grand keeping with the drama. Behind US wa
the delicious valley, the Kanderthal, young, ga
and verdant; before us the barren rocks and til
icy snow; while in the centre. like the stain
blood upon shroud,lay the accursed inn OF man
murders. Still, could have wished that brig
blue sky away; the tempest should have bee
roaring round the cabin, and the heavens frow'
ing darkly above it.
Well, at least, thought, our host will have
gloomy, sinister aspect suited to his abode ; an
] advanced, in the full hope Of all my worst in
agnings being realized. But nothing of Il
kind: two pretty children, like white and re
roses, were playing before the door, cutting hol
in the snow with knife. A knife How cou
their parents suffer them to touch so fatal an i
strument? tore it from their hands, and Il
little ones began to cry.
entered The landlord came to greet m
He was large, jolly fellow, of about fort
very fat and very gay.
Here" said |, i" take this knife away. He
can you let your children touch it?"
"Thanks, Monsieur, but there is no danger
"No danger, unhappy man and the twent
fourth Of February"
Mine host curled his lip as il annoyed.
All" said I, ' you understand me?"
At the same time looked round and reco
nized the interior perfectly. There was the s
ting-room:frst, Trudes bed in recess; beyor
the strangers sleeping room, where he had be
; murdered. opened the door and looked do'
upon the boards for stains of blood. The d
ner table was laid there.
) Heavens how can you eat in this room
exclaimed.
"Why, sir! Z! A bed is ueeless there, for ft
travellers stop the night"
, "No wondcr," answered: "terible seer
. Here's another of then," muttered the lar
. lord, looking very angry
D But how had you courage to take sucl
: house?" continued.
8 "I didn't take ii, it was my fathers"
, "Then you are the son of Kuntz?"
i "No, may name is not Kuntz, but Hantz."