Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-14

three hundred dollars current money into the
mint, he should share equally with other own
ers, in the profits arising therefrom. From such
an investment, Musgrave assured him he would
realize many fold.
But have not the sum if would do it,
said Hartman in piteous accents. My wife,
my children, I, are beggars dependent on the
cold charity of an inhospitable world Oh Wife
Oh Children Herbert Alice God protect
the poor" he exclaimed in voice tremulous
with emotion.
well, friend Hartman" said Musgraye,
" give me a quitclaim deed of the premises on
which now hold a mortgage, and | will ad-
vance the money to secure your interest in the
mint, and while you are here your family shall
remain on the land, and share its rents and
profits till you shall choose to redeem it, which
time will doubtless be ere long"
This offer was apparently so liberal that Har-
riman, on the verge of despair, seized on it as
an anchor to his hopes, sure and steadfast. A
facile Justice of the Peace residing south Of the
line of forty-6ve degrees was procured, who wit
messed in Canada the execution of the deed with
proper formalities and on the following day
Hartman was ready to enter, with more buoy
ant hopes, and diminished scruples, on his new
vocation.
Accordingly, ere the dawn of day, Pellet and
Hartman, who had met the previous night with
no good will, were now, i" like kindred drops
mingled into one" in joy and merriment pur-
suing their way to the Snagger's Bank. Over
mountains whose tops were in the clouds;
through frightful CULTS, angry floods and thick
cts impenetrable to any but lawless men over
miry swamps, and broken patches covered
with the softest lichen, where wild flowers of
the gaudiest hues and most fragrant odors grew,
our travellers made their tiresome way
But nature, neither in her widest, nor most
attractive garb, inspired these men with a
thought of Heaven, nor of the forsaken mate,
and little nestlings, that one of them had left
behind. Their hearts, like the finty crags their
feet had trodden, were steeled against remem-
brance of the past. On, on they made their
weary journey in the midday darkness of the
forest, till the sun, as if ashamed to witness
their arrival at the Snagger's Retreat, sank be-
hind the western horizon, and left gorgeous
blush upon the upper sky.
Our travellers had arrived All was still No
sign was visible that human feet had ever before
pressed the earth on which they stood. Yet at
the sound of whistle, or the call of single
voice, would a score of human beings of awful
mien, and kennel of rapacious dogs, start up
as if the teeming earth had opened at their feet
to give vent to monstrous pregnancy.
Our travellers laid themselves down to rest
Hartman passed the night in a half bewildered
state, in the midst of noises, revels, proane ests
and unearthly sounds, mingled with the hoarse
bark and angry growl of wild animals in the
deep wilderness around. When morning broke
all was still. Hartman shook off his drowsi-
ness and arose. Before him was spread out a lit
tie lake of pellucid beauty, and on its tranquil
bosom wild fowl lay like a sleeping infant on
its mothers breast. Harrimans conscienc,
was at work When he supposed but sin
gle human being was within the scope of hi
eye, or the sound of his voice, and that being
enjoying profound slumber in the solemn still
ness of the forest, grave thoughts were tracing
their impress on Harriman's mind Yet hi
companions eye was on all his actions, and pen
etrated his inmost thoughts.
Not daring longer to trust Hartman to
communion with his own heart, Pellet arose a
if from sleep, and saluted him. Upon the twirl
ing of an instrument in his hand like watch
mans rattle, a bevy of beings in human shape
and most fantastic dress, sprang forth 50 sud
denly, it seemed as if the trees around wer
their chrysalis. straightway, from the shore
of the lake glided light canoes, so frail an
fairy-like, they seemed as if made of gossa
mer, bearing nymphs for burdens on its glass
bosom. Anon from the canoes soft music stol
in gently swelling notes.
"a louder yet, and yet louder strain"
arose. Those on shore caught its sweet syn
phony, and from their mingled voices will
anthem rose, so rich, 80 varied and melodioui
that Hartman held his breath in bewildere
and ecstatic joy. Instantly those strains wer
changed and gave place to notes 50 loud, dis
cordant, and chaotic, that the assembled beas
Of the forest might have been challenged for
parallel. The boats with rapid flight were heat
ing for the shore, and when they struck tt
beach the clangor ceased, and all save Harrima
disappeared.
Strange and painful contrast" he exclain
| ed, Z" like Heaven and He'll, forever separat
yet forever near And |, like Lucifer, ha'
chose the latter. Then be it SO.
-' Hail horrors hail,
Internal world -"