Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-10-01

Of oxen and four horses hundred days
Perhaps more, but surely no less. Roll
found that his share Of the proceeds would
amount to eight hundred dollars. Then from
this he must pay the two men whom he was
to bring or, leaving him six hundred dollars
for his oxen, horses and himself But as he
would be at no expense at all in feeding any
body or anything, he considered the remunor-
alton just fair
al can have more than that for hauling
goods for our new railroad company" he
said "but ! should have to be away from
home all the time, and don't like it. like
/ this plan. l can go home as often as please
and feel perfectly free to remain away a day if
1 | wish"
| During the evening the work was all plan
ned and before they retired, Aaron Rolf
had about made up his mind that he should
sign the articles Of agreement 1t was ar
ranged that they should go 20 the justices
and have them legally drawnup John Boggs
/ thought there was no need OF any such paper,
but Mr.. Rolf Thought differently Said he
"Ne may forget, but written paper can't
forget
And upon that they retired for the night.
In the morning Mr. Rolf got up, and went
ont to snuff up the fresh air. Having wash
cd and combed his hair. he thought he would
go down and look at his horse, and perhaps
give him some water lie saw one of the
hired men, and asked him If he had watored
the animal II had not been done. So he
went on to the barn He found tho stable
/ whore he had seen the man hitch his horse
] the night bctore--but the horse was gone -
/ lie went through TO the back Of the barn, and
found the door not only open, but Hat upon
the ground lie went on into the yard
and there he found the bars down He hunt
ed up the hired man.
Look ye, my man, have you seen any
/ thing Of my horse -
NO. sir, was the answer
just come here
The man followed Rolf to the empty stall.
Did You hitch my horse there last night
the visitor asked, pointing to where the hole
had been broken out.
"Yes, sir, the fellow said
didn't you know that wouldn't hold a
horse :"
'I supposed Mr. Boggs had fixed it, sir
heard him say two or three days ago he
must do it when he had time. 1t was kind O.
dark when htched the horse, and didn't
notice"
"Fix it when he had time =! repeated Rolf
in surprise Hasn't he an augcr r
"Yos, sir"
And hasn't he had five minutes to spare
within three days ,'
Yes. sir-a good many of EN-, should
think"
But how about this door out here =
didn't you know that was unsafe =
YES, sir It's been so a long while But
Mr.. Bogg' said he'd fix it when he had time,
and so | never touched it,
"Who lugged that great log of wood
around here to hold it with =
"Mr Boggs did, sir.
"IIo did, ch;-ycs, yes And now how do
yon suppose those bars came down
BARS repeated the man, somewhat star
tied "are them bars down again =
They're down now, sir
"Woll-I'm glad ont Mr.. Boggs said
he'd fix en- yesterday They only wanted
some pins in en-. | asked him yesterday
mornin' if | shouldn't fix EN-, and he said no.
lie said ] might 90 to work and he I'd attend
to that. Now the cows are all gone
"Ah-l understand. said Mr. Rolf And
as lac spoke he turned away and followed the
track of lis horse 20 the road and saw tEatit
was turned towards home. lie knew the ma
tlrc of his horse and he was sure he should
find him in his own stall So he returned to
the barn and having taken tho bride on his
arm, and thrown the light saddle over his
shoulder, said to the hired man
"You can tell Mr.. Boggs that have gone
after my horse
but shan't go with yc, sir e
''No. know just where shall find him
So Aaron Rolf went away all "saddled and
bridlcd"
When Mr.. John Boggs camo in to break
fast he looked very "bIue.
"Why - what's the matter, John :" the
wife asked eagerly, for he looked really sad
lie made no answer; and Matilda was up
on the point Of asking him again, when one
Of the rosy-cheeked little girls came running
in, with cagerness upon every rounded fca-
ture.
80 mamma !" she cried, don't you think
Mr. Rolfs horse has run off He broke
OF of the stall where the haltcr-hole was
clean worn off down to cen Almost nothing /
and he run out through the barn-door what
was all tumbcd down and he got through |
the bars where the cows hook en- down -
and-don't you think-hcs gone off to try
and catch him lie went with the saddle on
his back My sakes-ain't it too bad ?"
Matilda Boggs looked at John Boggs full
llil4lhlAs hAA thtn NtHN uH WIN hNl blNhhihANs
She spoke not word further upon the sub
jcct.
The next afternoon there was a letter left
at the house Of John Boggs That individual
received it from his wife when he came to
dinner. Ho had been fixing up door, and
some bars etc. lie opened the letter and
read as follows:
OAK HILL, Sept %, l8-.
Mr.. JoHN BoGGs - Dear SIR You may
consider that all business relations between
as are at an end But ! will not thus abb
ruptly break off our plans without giving my
reason. 1t is this am by nature very ner-
yous. and could not ontrust my interests in
the hands OF man who cannot take care of
his own. Were ! not assured that the acc-
dent of last night was the result of what had
become confirmed habit with you, might
hesitate but understand it all. This will ,
remain a secret with me and trusting that I
we may remain friends, aud that you may
overcome an evil which can but result in harm $
to you if followed up, s
J remain, yours, etc, {
AARON Rolf.
John Bonus read this letter and then rush $