Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-03-10

'''e 'east iaise step-nad MS f0otng slipped on
the simry SUFFICE of the beam-had he tripped
against any Of the knots projecting from the
ro'ton wood which had mouldered away around
them--at once he would have been hurled into
dread eternity.
Bnt an unseen hand sustained hin, and safely
he reached the extremity Of the BEAM ruthlessiy
wrenched the trembling owl from his perch
waved it aiof in trinmph, and then, with proud
ejaculation, began to retrace his steps, with it
shriek'ng and futiering in his hands. When he
reached the centre ofthc frail beam, which crack.
ed aid bent terribly with his comparatively small
weight. he paused, drew himself up to his full
Iheight-air above, air beneath air all around,
naught but air--and deliberately tore the head
Of the owl by main force from its body. IIav-
ing perpetrated this cruel deed, he tossed the
bloody head among tho breathless spectators,
and sharply dashed the writhing body into the
void beneath his feet. He cooly watched its
descent, until it lay a shapely mass on the stones
bslnw ; then. with low, bravadoing mien, he
walked back to the terrified party, and boastiug
ly inquired of them whether they thought -" Man
ncrs could beat that.'
my lord" solemnly said the stranger, "you
have mt performed the act of brave sane man,
and you have committed desperate deed on
one of Gods helpless creatures. Yon ought to
thank Hun, my lord, from the depth of your sonl,
that he saved you from the penalty you incurfed.'
"What do you say?" fercey demanded
! ord Swlndon. Do you dare to inSinuate cow
ardce against ne?" and with flushing brow, he
assumed a threatening attitude.
IL know not, my lord, whether you are brave
or not, but what have witnessed was certainly
not an exercise Of true courags," was the pas
sionless reply.
sand yet, I'll wager cool thousand that you
dare not do it,
True dare not do it for am incapable Of
offering deadly insult to my Maker"
"Fine words" Then carried away by The
excite nent of the moment, he added with an
, lnsolent look and gesture, you are a lying
coward"
Listen, my lord" answered the person thus
|, addressed, and this time his voice was even
: calmer than before. "One year ago, you were
walking at the midnight hour, on the pier IF The
seaport of Hull, and but one other person was
upon it, and he was a stranger to you. You
trod too near the edge of the pier. and fell into
, the sea. The tempest was having, and the tide
was high and running strongly, and, ere you
f could u ter more than one smohered cry, 1t had
T swept you many yards away, and you were sink.
3 ing rapidly. Except God, none but the strung
!. er heard your cry Of agony and, as soon as i
r reached his ear, he louBed forth upon The waters
n and, catching glimpse OF your struggling form
he instantly plunged in, and, after mu n diving
d eventually grasped you at great depth. Ions
;. did he support your helpless body, and stou'ly
a did he buffet the sitting waves, and loudly die
o he cali Tor aid. At length help came: aud
the last moment, he and you were saved just il
e time for life to be preserved in both. Is not this
g true my lord ?"
n alt is, emphaticalIy responded the young no
bleman; but what have you to d, with it:
: don't know you-lhough it is not at all wonder
n fuI," added he, with sn.er, " that you shouI.
happen to know about the matter for the news
papers blsz med it quite sufficiently.
> MY lord, one question: more Did you eve
u learn who that stranger was, who, under Goo
IS saved your lIie?"
".lo; when recovered little, he 'ell me a
IT he hotel. where he was unknown, and 1 hav
r never seen him since"
"Tnen, my lord" was the startling rejoindel
TX look well at me, am that stranger"
e You? ?"
e "Yes-I whom you have branded as liar AM
t. coward. Little thought that the life save'
TX at The imminent risk Of my own should be mad
y, wck~dy, jeopnfdzed for no price Whatever
g as have seen in this hour Mime, my lord. wa
"a true courage; yonrs was false. Ilencefori
know he difference between them. Farewell
So saying the stranger bowed, and befor
W another word could be uttered, had left tn
u astonished party.