Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-12-19

is an old stone coffin that they use as a trough
you've seen 70
e.Yes.''
s.I don't credit the talk of treasures and
chests and what not, mysalf'' Allie adds, with
serene dignity, to which / reply that such re-
ports usually unfounded.
'sThey are, miss-they are. Have you been
to Scarthneck, miss 20
s.Yes, Allie; a couple of months. since"
''There was a strange thing happened there
ouce-it was to the Squira's father. You re-
member, miss, that long, steep hill that goes
down from the moor into the valley?''
nod acquiescence.
seAnd you remember the lew wood that
ers the high slope on the right-hand side ~
.sYes, perfectly
Well, one evening at dark, the Squires IA
ther and the old Colonel were come on horse
bacl, up the hiil-whcre they had been to L
don't know! but, however, Mr.. Langdaie had
great sum Of money with bin; they were talk
ing and going slowly, when, just they got
TO the brow, two men rushed out and seized
Mr. L.angdale's horse-one at the head, and
he other at the tail. They never touched the
Colonel, whose horse took fright, and started
of. Well what they wanted was the money.
but the old squire was tough and strong in the
arm They tried to drag him from his horse.
but it WAS a high-mettled thing. and kicked
and plunged until it shook both the villains
oil. They fred after the old gentleman, but
he got clear and galloped away. He overlook
the Colonel soon ana they made good haste
home. You may think. The next day, nothing
would serve them but they would go and look
at the place, for the Squire was sure one >of
the men had been hurt; and after looking about
in the wood little while, they found grave
dug, which had been got ready for NF. Lang-
dale. no doubt. Both the squire and The Col
oueI had their suspicious about one man, but
for the other they could not fix on anybody
Well they went home again, and that eve
ming there came a woman to tbs great house,
TO beg drop Of brandy for her husband, who
was taken with bad fit of collie. They were
decent people as any at Moorbeck, and OF
course t'.s wife got some brandy, and went
home. Ali at once fancy took the Squire,
and he said to lis wife that he would just
walk up the village and see the poor man. He
did not knock al the door, but walked straight
into the kitchen, AMI there talking with the
wife. he saw the feliow he suspected of having
been one OF those who set upon him at Scarth-
neck They seemed quite begone, and would
not let hin, 90 into the bedroom where the
man lay i'll; for ever SO long; bat the Squire
was determined, and at least he got to the bed
where the miseroble wretch was twisting about
/ in pain. He cried out when Re saw Mr.. Lang
/ dale for the old gentleman was a magistrate.
and besides, his conscience pricked him hard.
! The Squire talked to him q bit until the Others
| seemed of their guard, and then whispered,
Don't you think it was my horse gave yon
your Git of collie - lie h, d not word to say
tllcn, and lie confessed it was. He died that
same night-the other man was transported
Il did not think You had any such wicked
people in all the dale, Allie
| 80, Miss, think human nature is much OF
muchness all the world over. There are
doth good and bad in the country well as in
! tne town.
..You Keep up the old customs here, Allie.
don't you?
sSome of shem, Miss. Have You hearn any
body.s banns published in the church since
you came? No; don't think you will, for
/ they must needs have license now. Well
! in my time, after we had been asked in church
/ the third time, the old clerk sung out God
/ speed 'em wcel!' and when / was married his
boy asked for my garter, and he got fine
white ribbon. Then the first Sunday Willie
! and me went to church; after we were wed
they sung that psalm adout iye-branehes-l
dare say yon know it-and always after fu
neral they have dirges when the relations come
| TO church. They don't do it in Londo n, Miss
do they1''
esNo. Ailie-at least think not, but 1 never
was there to see."
csAnd | haven't either, and think never
shall now. But 1 walked seven-and-twent,
miles one day this Summer to see e son o
/ mine that was i'll at Leeds. There isn't many
going on for eighty could do that, MISS
ssIndeed, Allie, / could not do it myself.'
! esI dare say you could. miss, Il need wer,
that you should. You are small and light
/ like me, but then, to be sure, we have hat
| different bringings-up. I'm always well if
/ can. get out Of doors; for Eve been used to
1 deal of walking. It is only lately that th'
| mail-cart has come through Moorbeck, ant
left the bag at my door. had to go to th'
corner of the road, near the bridge, which is
good mile of, every morning, rain or shine, t.
wait till the mail went by, and tnen [ had
round of six or seven miles more TO deliye
the letters-''
..All fer Eve pounda-year, Ailie9'
/ sNo. Miss, it was twenty then; and II as
/ sure You / was main well OF with it. But al