Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-01-23
miscellaneous.
BIND ROSA.

Antwerp and Turnhout. Tho tramp OF horses
the rattle of wheels the crealting of the frame
and the loud voice of the driver, accompa-
nied its onward progress. The dogs barked
in the distance as it passed, the birds rose
startled from the fields and the shadow Of
the old coach danced grotesquely among the
trees and hedges
Suddenly the coachman pulled up not far
from lonely tavern. Springng from his
scat, he opened the door of his vehicle, and
without saying word, prollered his hand to
traveller, who Immediately leapt out upon
the highway, carrying leathern travelling
bag under his arm With equal silence the
coachman put up the steps, shut the door,
and ascending the box, drew the whip gently
across the horses backs as a sign 20 proceed
and the clumsy machine umblcd ON in its
own spiritlcss and monotonous way.
Meanwhile the traveller had entered the
tavern. and calling for q glass of beer, sat
down az a table. lie was u man of very high
stature and appeared 20 be about fifty years
of age One might have even supposed him
to be sixty, had not his vigorous bearing, his
lively eve, and the youthful smile upon his
lips. shown that his heart and soul were much
younger than his face would have indicated.
His hair indeed was gray his brow and
+
expressed that waste of power which care
and toll stamp ON the face as the sign of per
mature old age. And yet one could see that
his chest rose and fell with ullucss and life
that his head sat erect and high, and his
sparkling eyes expressed the energy of man
hood
From his dress one would have inferred
that he was a wealthy citizen. although it
10 D.
all, had not the coat been buttonod up to the
china peculiarly which, when taken in con-
ncxion with his great meerschaum. made one
suspect that hc was q soldier or German.
Tho people of the house after serving the
traveller, resumed their work without paying
any further attention Co him lie saw tho
two daughters going and coming. the land-
lord fetch wood and peat for the fire. the
mother fin the kitchoup0t hut 200 one said
a word to him. although his ewes followed
every one as if hc desired TO enter into cone
varsation. and bis sad and gentle smile seemed
TO say Ah do you not know NO. then So
suddenly clock struck This sound
seemed TO pain him. for an expression of mel
ancholly surprise passed over Dbl. face. and
chased the smile from his lips He stood up
and with disturbed look gazcd at the clock
tin ninc strokes, one after another, had died
away in the room. Tho house-mothcr had
observed the emotion of the stranger and
advancing TO him. she also looked mp at the
clock with wondering look as If She ev-
pected 20 see something unusual about 1t.
which She had never observed before
Yes. sir. it sounds prctuly. doesn't 10: W
She said Ii has gone for twenty year, so.
and a matchmaker has never laid a finger on
it,
Twenty years" sighed the traveller -
" and where then Is tho clock which used TO
hang here before. And where is the pretty
image of the Virgin which stood there ON the
chimncy-pioce, Gone, destroyed, forgotten.
The woman looked at the stranger with
surprise and answered.
Our Hanna was playing with the image
one day when a child, and broke It, 1T was
so very badly made, at any rate. that the pas
tor himself had told us 20 buy new one +;
and there IL stands now. Is it not much
prottier '
The traveller shook his head
And the old clock YOU win hear immc-
diatelv. She continued "It IS only a piece
of lumber and IS always behind it has hung
for an age in our cellar. Listen, it is strik-
ing now
4 peculiar noise might be heard proceeding
from another part of the house. 1t was the
voice of a bird, which cried " Cuckoo. cuckoo.
for nine time in succession A cheerful smile
at once lighted up the stranger face and
Fastening accompanied by the hostess, to a
little cellar hc gazcd with inexpressible Joy
at the old clock, as the cuckoo concluded its
ninc times repeated song
Meanwhile, both the daughters of the FAM
/ lily approached the traveller iull Of curiosity,