Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-18
HARLEY HARTMAN ;
The Snaggers of Memphremagog.
A Tale of the Canada Border erfeiters.
CHAPTER XVII.
A NEW DEvEI.0PMEN Mt.

CHAPTER XVII.
NEW DEVELOPMENT.
The Third Concessiones' Church in G,
in the Canadian Province, is a dilapdated struc-
ture, standing on beautiful spot quite remote
from any other building on one of the numer-
Gus tracts Of land into which that section of
country is divided, callod Concessiones. A
large portion of territory in this region was
once S,igniory, which was divided, or marked
out, in sections each of ona mile square, and
these were numbered as the First, Second,
aa1 Third C)nc ssi1nes; and 50 on to the
last. Ths church justspoken of was of faul-
ty architecture !; equally plain within and
without; aad WAS ovdontly tho product
of simple pioty. Somewhat ancient, it bore
abundant marks of decay yet its decline was
owing more to the neglect, or perhaps, the wan
ton assault, of thoso, or the, descendants of
those to whose clre it WAS committed, than to
any ravage of the hand of time. 1t was an
unerring memorial of the decline of moral SEN
timent in tho section which it overlooked and
in its progressive decay it seemed to measure
with exact precision the continued decadence of
moral tone.
It was on the steps of this church, little
remote from the highway, that Clovis sat in
conversation with female on the evening of
the day next after he left the Snagger's Retreat.
The air was soft, refreshing, and balmy with
odors from the adjacent fields and forests. The
moon shone brightly, and seemed as if looking
out upon, and contemplating with sweet COM
placency, q beautiful and sinless world and
the sweet perfumes which the diurnal sun ex-
hailed from the green grass the tinted flowers, ,
and the majestic woodlands, seemed to be the
incense which that world was offering up, in
thankfulness, to the God who made it TO Hin,
who made it SO beautiful while the dew
drops that were moistening all of vegetation
seemed to be tears the Earth was shedding that
so much of sin had marred world so meet for
innocence.
When Clovis reached Musgrave's residence
he learned that the latter had been many days
absent, but whittier he had gone no one knew.
Clovis therefore, pursued his journey, and be-
ing somewhat overcome with stimulus he had
taken to sustain his strength and spirits, he
took a wrong direction and just before night
fall of his second days journey he met with
the lax companion with whom he was engaged
in rude conversation, and uncourtly dalliance
on the steps of the Third Concessones church.
1t was about the hour of ten when footsteps
were heard approaching; and the female start
ing suddenly, said "My man is coming -
and darting into the field she followed along
the shadowy side of fence, till she reached
the highway, and attaining that she hastened
homeward unobserved. Clovis, from some i'm
pulse for which he could not account, sprapg
through al opening in the wall on the shaded
side of the Church, which led under the ground
floor of the building His first idea after he
was fairly ensconced was that to flee was fool
ish; but second thought, coming sodately to his
counsel, confirmed the impulse, and suggested
caution and observation. He thrust his head
through the wall, and listened. The sound of
approaching footsteps became more and more
distinct They seemed as if nearly opposite
the church, and presently sort of crepitus, or
cracking sound, indicated that the traveller
had deviatad from the beaten track, and was
pursuing his way ever the grassy meadow to-
ward the church His footsteps were more
slow and hesitating lie commenced hum
ming noise, and occasionally mngleda voluntary
cough as if he sought notice and response from
another, if the person he sought were within
the scope of the sounds he uttered No an
swer being evoked, he trod slowly and cautious
ly into the shadow which the church walls Gust,
and paused near the entrance through which
Clovis withdrew. He listened looked anx-
iously about then passed to the rear of the
building returned again and listened "Hcre :"
said he No one answered. :. HERE !" he re-
psatcd, yet no one replied. lie drew gold
watch from his vest, and stepping so far from
the church that the moon beams fell upon his
watch, he noted the hour and retreated again
within the shadow of the church walls;--"
surely am not Mistaken he said -' the Third
Concessones' and the time is already elapsed,
and full ten minutes added thereto But Aha
some ope is coming he added, and he shrunk
close to the church wall and crouched 50 near
to the opening therein that his respiration was
distinctly heard by Clovis.
Directly another personags appeared. "Here.'
said he.
Here - Clovis prochein replied
. Barker? said the new conner.
Musgraue" responded the other.
We are here them" said Musgrave.
g Here !" answered Barker.
81 have but little time to spare,'' said Nus
grave / have been long absent from home, and,
judging from the description given me, opine
that one whom would but little wish abroad.
is farther than may bs consistent with my well
fare from his duty. So, what we do must be
done speedily.
g You will 60 with me Tomorrow ?'' said
Barker.
That must depend on who certain man is.
who was seen in company with a certain woman
just at dusk tonight. But to the business
Barker. What do you learn concerning heirs
Is there more than one 2"