Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-28
MAT WARD;
OR,
THE TORY'S DOOM.
By the Author Of The Scout of the Lake Waldo, or
Life the Border" &C., &c.
CHAPTER v.
THE Maniac

s THE MANIAC. asisa as.sts,--,
A year previous to the opening Of our tale,
there appeared in the province of New York
man who gave his name as Matthew Ward
He was strange, eccentric being, at times ra-
tional and intelligent, his conversation giving
evidence of well-cultivated mind, and again
uttering broken sentences, devoid of meaning,
which no one seemed to understand save himself.
Concerning his home, if he possessed one, he
was studiously silent, even in his rational mo-
ments, and no clue could be obtained in regard
to his early life or the circumstances which led
to the abberration of mind which he often ex-
hibited. In his camer moments he gave the
most conclusive evidence that at some period Of
his life he had been accustomed to associate
among those who were intelligent and refined,
and he soon became a favorite among the settlers
whose houses were ever open to him whenever
he chose to come among them. He came with
out word or comment, staid as long as he felt
inclined to, and departed sometimes in the dead
of night, and again while partaking of his
usual meals. He was rarely wild, but when
his fits of insanity came on he would wander
about for days. steadily refusing the hospitality
of the settlers, and even the food which hit
system seemed mperatively to demand in order
to sustain life No one ever molested him, but
all pitied him, sorrowing that mind like his
should thus be debarred from the light of rea-
son.
As Thomas Rand left Mark Lncoln's Scout
instead of pursuing his way back to the Inn, al
he had avowed it his intention to do, he struck
into the forest, and taking the same direction
that Hopkins had done, diverging further from
the road as he went, until half hour hat
elapsed when he paused, and kneeling upon the
ground he placed his ear downward in listen
of any one who might be in the vicinity. HI
was evidently satisfied with his investigations
as he arose and bent his steps in a different di
reetiou from the one he had previously taken
and which if pursued would again bring hin
in view of the road. But few moments hat
passed when he cast hurried glance behint
him, and repeated his experiment; but thi
time as he arose, a puzzled, undecided expires
sion dwelt upon his face.
" 1t may be only imagination, after ALL h
said in low tone; but 1 thought l heard
step behind me as plain as ever did in my life
IF Hopkins takes it into his head to open tina
letter he'll be sure to trail me, but thought ha,
outwitted him. He appeared to be mighty fear
full that all want right, and my chance of lf
wouldn't be worth horn O. Jimaky if he
should find out the trick, and draw bead OF
me with that ar long rife he carries"
He started, but came once more to suddel
halt, and drawing pistol, began to retrace biz
steps.
g I'm bound to find out whether I'm followed
or not, he muttered. &C A foe at my face
easier to fight than man who comes sneaking
up from behind"
Thomas Rand cast his eyes eagerly about him
but no one was to be seen. Kneeling down, h
examined the ground, and there plain by hi
own trail was one which had evidently bee
made but moment previous. His face pale
at this discovery, fo he knew not which wa
to look for an enemy.
&C There's one thins, certain" he said
length Il" these tracks couldn't have been mac
by Hopkins-they re too small and too nigh t.
gether for that. Some one else has followed m
but who"
He did not finish the sentence There was
heavy blow upon his head, and he came ne
falling to the ground. He started quickly u
but ere he had time to recover himself suffcien
ly to ascertain who his foe was, a repetition
the blows Frustrated him, his weapons falln
from his hand as he fell
"Ha ha ha. Thomas Rand, why didr
you search me out9 e" and looking up, the fall
man beheld Ward, the Maniac.
g Villain " he exclaimed, "what is t
meaning of this unprovoked attack"
He attempted to rise, but observing tt
movement the Maniac hastily picked up the p
tol, and placed his foot upon the others brea
" You cannot rise, Thomas Rand, for if 7
villain III do Villains work by blowi
out your brains.'
You are in one of your fits, Ward Rclei
me; never harmed you. "
No, you never harmed me, but why have
you? Because they wouldn't let you--do
there where the blue flames coil around th
forms like poisonous vipcrs," and the Man
pointed to the earth
g This is idle talk, Ward Throw away t
pistol, and remove your foot from my breas
g Not now, not till you tell me why you
about numbering angels, a nd then burying Il
IN the swamps and woods. What do you t
their lives for Why don't you let them Ii
They never harmed any one
" You never saw an angel, Ward"
Thomas Rand, not liking the light which gle
ed in his captors eyes, and cndeavoring, if |
sIble, to make him listen to reason.
g Haven't r." uttered Ward " Yes
have seen whole company of them, but it
a long time ago, befIre they c,me and dr