Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-04
HARLEY HARTMAN
OR,
The Snaggers of Memphremagog.
A Tale of the Canada Border COuntcrfeiters'
NEW ADVENTURE ERS.

NEW ADVENTURES.
1t may safely be supposed our travellers slept
but little at Margaret's Inn. Occupying rooms
immediately over the bar, they were annoyed
not only by vermin, but by the fumes of whis-
KEY and tobacco, and the noise of drunken rout
proceeding from below. In the course Of the
night, their insect enemies having consented to
O. truce, their attention was drawn to CONVEX
sation in the bar room of which they and Harr-
man were the subjects
"Well, if nobody ever heerd of this ere
Hartman, faint likely hc'sin these parts no
where" said one.
"That don't foller by rod or two, Pixlcy-
Who knows but what he's among the Snag-
gers?'
Well, p'rhaps that may bel don't purtend
to know nothin' about that nohow you can fix
it, you know, Muggleton," said the first speak
er with sly wink, land I don't believe he's
there neither, cause what dye spose that ere
chap and his gal want Of a Snagger? They
'aint after counterfeit money be they?''
" Snags, you drunken loon,' said the Land
lord, in an under tone, "and don't speak so
loud neither"
g You'll get your cocoa-nut cracked some Of
these days, Pixley, for talking so open-mouthed
about counterfeit money"
Yes, if Musgrave should hear you say any
thing only sndgs, he'd settle your accounts
for you desp rate quick, tell ye."
81 guess he would tew, and he wouldn' t
make many bones about it neither"
"D'ye s'pose Pm afeared of Musgrave, said
Pixley, irritated by the language of his COM
panions and provoked with himself for the
cause that had occasioned it, 81 'aint afeared
to tell Musgrave to his face that he's Snag-
ger"
Yes, but you would'nt want to tell him to
his back that he's a counterfeiter," scornfully
added little combustible who had taken fire
from Pixley's battery.
g What's the difference" said the latter.
g Aint a snagger and counterfeiter the same?"
"Well if they be the same most guess Mus
grave don't want every body to know it, and it
amt our business to tell ont, said one who had
not hitherto engaged in the dispute
"Well I'll give in to you there Uncle Sire,' "
answered Pixley, "but cause spoke little
afore I thought aint no reason why they should
all pitch into me. If they're goin to give me
their slack they must expect I'll be riled cause
it aint in natureto stand it nohow''
"Well, WE'LL Pixley" said uncle 81, in a
wheedling tone, "never mind, let's take a
swig all round and let that end it"
The company thereupon took liberal bout Of
whiskey, and sat down again in a more friendly
mood This conversation was overheard by
both our travellers, and inspired them with a
strong and painful presentiment of the real oc-
cupation of their father. 1t likewise warned
them of the difficulties attending his discov-
cry.
In the morning they awoke early and but lit
tie refreshed. The first object with Herbert was
to get tsome intimaton by which he could judge
of the proper direction to find his Father
Taking advantage of the conversation he had
overheard the previous night, and thinking he
could overawe the Landlord by an intimation
that he was aware Of the existence of band Of
snaggers in D, he observed to the latter
there is small settlement in this vicinity tC
which propose to make visit, and where
expect to find Mr.. Hartman. Can you direc
me thither, landlord ?"
81 can," said the latter, i" but you must e
all the way on foot to get to it,"
g That isnothng replied Herbert confirmed
in his belief that such route must lead him tt
his father. d" But is there no passable carriag
route he enquired, as the thought occurred tc
him that Alice would choose to CO.
None,' said the landlord, if it is settle
ment in D, you speak of--the lots ar
lately taken up and there is no road opened tc
them
There was an appearance of low cunning il
the landlord which strengthened Herbert's i'm
pressions, and he retired to consult his sister.
There was at that time in D., a small
settlement of honest folk then recently com
menced, about four miles in the wilderness
which was inaccessible by any travelled road
Wholly unsuspicious that Herbert had any ide
of the existence of band of counterfeiters hav
ing any particular rendezvous, and confident al
so of their undscoverable seclusion even if on
should seek them, the landlord readily offered t
provide Herbert with guide to the settlemen
referred to- Pursuing the same course for abou
mile, the traveller would then turn to til
right hand, or to the left as he aimed to reac
either this settlement, or the retreat of tn
Snaggers; and subsequently follow direction
for the ons point nearly opposite that leading tc
the other.
The disgust and alarm which Alice had ex
perienced determined her, after due considera
ton, to undertake the journey on foot wit
Herbert rather than be left without him in th
Inn at D. Accordingly the landlor
summoned young man called David, who wa
about seventeen years of age, clownish in hi
manners and partook Of the general character
istics of his neighborhood, for aguide. Hav
ing taken a small pack containing lunch, O
his shoulders and being charged by the landlor
with reasonable haste, David led our adventurer
forth.