Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-04-23
CHAPTER II.
w aldo.

CHAPTER.II
Waldo.
Accompanied by his friend, Montague ap
preached the place where Waldo was standing.
He was leaning upon his rife and his face bore
plainly the marks of shame and regret at the
part he had acted. Montague stood and gazed
at him q moment. while his eyes dropped be-
meath the young man. scrutiny.
I" Waldo,' said Montague, at length, Z" it
gives me great pain and surprise to see you in
the position in which you have bsss placed this
afternoon. W'hat motive could induce YOU
you who above all others should be the one to
warn me of and protect me from dnger-to act
the cowardly and contemplate plrt of an as
sassin
There was visible movement about the lips
Of Waldo, but, if he desired to do so, he did
not speak.
" You are SILENT" continued Montague. If
you are afraid to speak from any fear that
shall punish you as you deserve, you need en-
tertain that feeling no longer, for I assure you
that, SO far as am concerned, no harm shall
be offered you. Have | ever injared you, or
said aught that should cause you to wish for
my life F"
| No no "
elf have, if you wish to finish the deed
you have attempted, you can DO 50. Here arc
my pistols; the rife of my friend is unloaded ;
thus you see that we are unpreparci to defend
ourselves. Come, take them you will find
them them well loaded. md. md thssssliasm = into bis
hands as he spoke Montague stepped bassk, and
folding his arms stood gazing calmly at Waldo.
With quick movement, Waldo placed the
muzzle of the weapon to his own temples, and
would have fired had not Montague sprang for
ward, and, with blow, knocked it from his
grasp.
"Why do you wish to sa>e me, Walton "
. he exclaimed, vehemently, as he was thus trus-
tratcd. why not let me blov out my own
brains, and thus remove the da,nning tcmpta-
y. ton to commit evil which has beSet me to day
God knows, Walton, that had killed you
would have puta end to u life which is II bur
den and IL curse to me Take this pistol ant
shoot me, and with my dying breath will bless
you for it. am not fit to live after having at
, tempted to nurdcr one who has proved the bes
, friend have on earth and saved my body from
+ the hands of those who would have torn me liml
from limb
Waldo said Montague, laying his han'
upon the shoulder Of the other, while his voic
4 trembled with suppressed emotisn " it give
me joy to find that the better feelings Of you
= nature are not all stiaed-that deep in the re
;. cesses of your heart some good is still dwelling
amid tie evil that surrounds it. Do you thin
n would take your life! Far from it. There
It my hand and only do me this favor, and it
!. all the revenge ask Dare to doright, remem
bering, when evil influences besei you, that 20
o will one day regret it, if you yield to the
% promptings. When you are in trouble come
X me- and will do all in my power to aid you.
s. With tremuous motion, he took the pro
Is fered hand while the tears trickled down b
hard and sun-burnt features. Montague ha(
~ with skillIu hand, touched tile hidden spring
of virtue which slumbered in his bosom, an
ee now they gushed forth in tears of sorrow an
IN genuine repentance. Releasing his hand fro
the grasp Of Montague, who was nearly as luut
affected us himself, Waldo tuck pp bis rife, an
re as he was about to turn away, said
walton Montague, you can but little rea
'e, ize what you have done for me to day. For ior
ct months have been surrounded by evil of eve
kind and grade and have yielded to it. \
ed warning voice was near to call me back to Il
path of rectitudo once more, and if by chan
De- conscience pierced my heart, staed it in Il
all wine cup. cannot explain to you now why
GU is So but circumstances over which at first
had no control! have made me what am
was no will of mine that prompted me TO ta
ex- your life to-day, but lecause Maitland told /
led to do it, and ;" continued Waldo. while q Il
me NOR shook his frame. g that man holds pow
nee over inc which nothing but death can relet
ne. me from But shall resist III now, and II
tep die in consequence | care not. Beware of hi
to and shun him as you would viper, for he i
to man who when he has once bent his mind to
ich purpose will never turn back until it is aceo
ou, plished. am going to leave you, and may G
ase bless you, as do, for the part you have acl
J to toward me. do not deserve your kindness, II
t. perhaps | shall never repay it. Maitland v
Use, take your life, if he can; but, fore Heaven,
!, | shall not, ifit is in my power 10 prevent it
adyersity or prosperity, shall be near you, a
In when you think not Of it, shall be watchi
sct' over you. have been low, degraded and Vi
you but Mathew Waldo is one who never forget
favor. Once more say, God bless you . a
his grasping his rifle he plunged deeper into
woods and was soon lost from view
the Montague and his companion stood watch