Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-12-21
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, THUla1Y, /

| "o shio l'lico I'LL " gain youf Soou oplhoh'
Are you playing comedy, sir!
Quito the contrary. And even repeat that
this extreme haste shows more tho courage Of
nerves, than of the true courage arising from
principle
What guaranty have I, should accept your
proposition that you will not again endeavor
to evade met
My word, sir; which take all my COM
rades to witness, and place under the safeguard
of their honor
There ran through his auditory such buzz
of appreciation that De Malateur, though with
bad grace, was obliged to accede to the ar
rangenent. 1t was then agreed on the lst of
September all present should assemble at the
Chateau du Cat.
Whilst the young lord of the manor is max
ing necessary preparations for their reception,
we shall explain the accusation of which he was
the object, yet which had not branded himwith
any mark of disgrace among class of men so
purssatH Hous on the point of honor.
hhe young Barun de FTilletroton, in entering
amongst the gentlemen who formed the house
hold guard of the king of France, carried with
him principles which remainad uncorrupt amidst
all the frivoiities OF one of the most licentious
courts in Europe. Such, however, is the charm
of vrtuo, even in the midst of vice, that his
exemplary conduct had not only gained him the
esteem of his officers, and friendship Of his com
pauioos, but had attracted the attention of the
king himsoa. One alone among his comrades,
Monsieur de Moatour, took umbragc at this
general favor, and, on the occasion Of some tri-
fling expression or gesture, publicly insulted
him. Villctreton refused to challenge him, as
being contrary to his principles, but determined
that this seeming cowardiee, in now iighting
wcll-known dueist should be .4aened by some
action of eclal during the campaign just COM
menced. That moment had arrived and for his
noble conduct in taking the English colors at
the battlo of Fontenoy he received the cross of
St, Louis from the king s own hand on the field,
the ealpgium of Marshal SAKE, and re-
doubled enmity on the part OF De Malatour.
The first care of the young baron, on arriy-
ing at the estate, was to call his maior-domo,
an old faithful servant.
Il have business with thee, my master, said
he, cordially shaking him by the hand,
Speak, monseigneur' replied the parour,
who was deeply attached to his young lord,
YOU know the old hunter ID yours to his last
drop Of blood
Il never doubted it, my old friend. Did yoa
receive my letter from Paris
Yes, sir; and those gentlemen, your COM
rades, will iavo some work bsfore thom.'
Arc there bears already on yhe heights then ,
asked .Viletreton, extending his hand in the di-
rection Of enc of tho lofty peaks, whose sum
init, covered with snow, glittarc1 in the morn
ing sun
Five in ALA complete m~nage--father,
mother and children; besides an old bachelor,
whom the Spaniards had driven to Their SIDE
In less than week we shall go in pursuit
of them. Do YOU know, pareur, some of my
comrades are rather rough sportsnen there
is one Of them who is able to snuff d candle
with pistol at twenty PAGES.
Easier, perhaps than to snuff bear at four,
replied the old man, laughing,
That is what said also Bat as / should
wish to Judge for myself OF his powers, you
must place us together at the same postal the
bridge Of Maure, for instance
Hum said the pareur, scratching his ear !;
it would better please mo to have you elss-
where
'Why!'
Because to guard this post, man ought to
be in STAKE of grace, for he will be between
two deaths--the bears and the precipice'
Il know the one, and do not fear the other
thanks to your lessons.
/ am earc of that But, with your leave,
l should like to guard the bridge myself
You are sure, then, that the bears will pass
this way!'
Sure--yes but quite surc-no. Rocollect
that they are sullcn and prudent beasts, which
never confde their plan Of route to any one.
1T is agreed on. shall guard the bridge
with my comrade. Now 60 and have the track
ers ready
Very we'll, very WE'LL murmured the parcur
as be retired | shall have my eye on him
aslIieht days afterwards all those invited, moi
excepting Monsieur dc Malatour--who, DESPITE
the delicate attentsons Of his host, preserved /
cold resarrn-were assembled at the chateau
The Ioag@;@ ut grandeur of pyrenees, theil
shining su.nmits relieved against the blue SIX,
of Spain, was an unlocked for pleasure to th
greater number of the guests, who for the mos
part belonged to the rich and fertile plains 0
tho interior.
The morning following their arrival a bod
! or trackoj, and s,outs provided With all manne
Of discordunt nts--iiu lpots, sauoepans
drums, &c, &C., were assembled under the wall
of tho chateau. with the pareur at their head
While by his side stood the mandrin, who proud
ly guarded q dozen large mastiffs, held in leas
r by his vigorous helpers. The young baron an
his friends, armed with carbines and huntin
S knives, had scarcely appeared, when, by sig
. from the pareur, the whole troop moved Siontl
$ forward. Tho dogs themselves seemed to undel
t stand the Importance Of this movement al.
> nothing was heard but the confused tramp {
feet, blending with the noise of the distant tol
q rent, Or, at intervals, the cry Of some belate
night bird, flying heavily homeward in I'll
e doubtful glimmer Of the yet unopened day.
r As the party reached the crest of tho mou,
o tain which Immediately oyorhung the chatea,
, the first rays OF the sun breaking from the ea
e glanced on the summit Of the Pyronees and SUI
: denly Illuminating the Landscape, discovered b