Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-09-15
nd it was not long ere they reached the habta-

and il was not long ere they reached the habita-
tion.
The traveller quickly dsmounted, and the rap
that he gave with the burt end of his heavy rid
ing whip upon the door was answered by an old
woman; he entered. and beheld sturdy peas
ant, the wonan's son, who sat SIN king his pipe
beside blazing peat.fre. The Strangers wants
were soon made known an old clubhouse ac-
commodated the horse and though there was no
he'd beside the old woman's in the hut, the son
promised to give up his own for the convenience
of the gentlemen, that he himself would sleep
for that night 10 the old settle by the chimney
corner
After the traveller had discussed his sup
per, he was shown to his chamber, where he
observed large oak chest; it was curious both
in form and ornament, and had the appearance of
being OF very great antiquity. On making some
remarks upon it to the old woman, who had light
ed him up stairs, in order to zee that all things
were as comfortable as circumstances admitted
for his repose, he thought tnernr was sometniug
shy and odd about her manner; and after she
was rome he was almost inclined to take a peep
into the mysterious chest, but he fotebore, and
wen, to bed.
IIe felt cold and miserable; ; and who that does
so can ever hope TO for a sound refreshing sleep?
His was not so, for the woman and old oak chest
haunted him in his dreums and hollow sound,
as if behind his beds head, suddenly started
him out of his first sleep, when circumstance
occurred which, like the omnous voice to Mac.
beth, forbade him to sleep more.
As he suddenly raised himself in bed, the first
thing which he saw was the chest. There it
lay in the sllvery silence of the moonlight, look
ing cold and white, and connected with his
uream an alarming object of his curiosity His
fear gave action to the inanimate thing; for he
looked and looked again, till he actually fancied
that the lid of the chest began to move up slow
ly before his ewes
He could endure no more, but hastily starting
from the bed, he rushed forward grasped the lid
with trembling hands, and raised it up at
once. Who shall portray his feelings when he
| behed that fatal chest now disclosed pa human
corpse stiff and cold, lay before his sight
So much was he overcome with the horror of
bis feelings, that it was with extreme difficulty
he reached his couch. Bu one thought, but one
fear during the rest of the night possessed and
agonlzed his whole seul. He was in the house
of murderers he was devoted victim There
was no escape for where, even it he succeeded
in leaving the chamber, at such m hour, in such
night, could he find shelter and refugee
1t WAS with the most heartfelt gratitude to the
Almighty that he found himself undisturbed by
any midnight assassin, when the sun rose once
more, and threw the cheerful light Of day over
the desoate moor. He hailed the renewed day
as en- assurance Of renewed safety to his own
life. He determined, however, tn hasten his de-
parture; to pny literally, but to avoid saying or
doing anything to awaken suspicion of his cog
nizance Of their detestabe character.
On descending into lower room. he found the
old woman and her son busily engaged in pre-
pairing no other fate for him Than a good break
fas'. They gave the guest country salute, and
hoping his honor had found good rest pro
ceeded to recommend the breakfast in the true
spirit, though in rough phrase, of honest hos
pitality. The son particularly praised the broiled
bacon, as mother was reckoned to have Gu
rious hand at sailing un in."
Daylight, civlly and good cheer, the traveller
now found to be most excellent remedies against
the terrors, both real and otherwise, of his own
Imagination. The fright had disturbed all his
nerves but The keen air Of those high regions,
and savory smell of fine smoking rasher, were
great resloratives. Indeed, so much di he feel
reassnred and elevated by the total extinction of
his personal fears, that just as the good woman
was b,oing him another rasher, he disclosed
the secret of the chests confessed that he had
been much surprised by its contents at the same
time, he asked for an explanation Of so singular
q circumstance.
BLESS your heart, your honor, ',is nothing al
ALL said the young man It's only tayther!"
Father-your father" cried the traveller
what do you mean ?"
Why, you see, your honor" replied The pea
SAINT, the snow being so deep, and making the
roads so cledgey like, when old fayiher died, two
weeks ago, we couldn't carry un to Tavistock to
bury un aud SO mother pu, un in the old box
and sailed un in"
The travellers meal was spoiled, for SO pow
erfu was the association Of ideas in his imagln.
atiyc mind that he now looked With horror upon
tho Kissing rasher. and fancied it nothing else
than slice Of "old tayther." FIe got up from
the table, paid for his lodging. saddled his horse
and quitting the house where surprise, terror
joy and disgust had by turns so powerfully pos
sessed him, he made his way through every I'M
pediment of snow and storm. And never coult
he afterwards be prevailed upon to touch bacon
s;nca 4, ipvar hv reca lled the feenos of dis.