Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-25


ger, though she might lose fingers joint now
and then, if she want careful in handin' out
the fodder. can't say as to that, but she can
tell for sartin by tryin' Come, my beauty"
she continued, speaking in as much of wheed-
ling tone as her coarse, rough voice would per-
NIT, and with simper upon her countenance
just sufficient to add tenfold disgust to her
words--and as she uttered the last word she took
a step forward, at the ssme time stretching cut
her arm, as if to take hold of Alice. But the
latter springing back, Mrs. McDermot inter-
posed her person between the two, and William
Belden at the same time dealt smart blow
with substantial beech /" withe upon Mol's
outstretchcd arm.
"Iwill chop bones for your dogs, Mother
Moll, and feed them on finger joints till you
will say they have had enough" said he, land CIV
ing her a " crack" upon the skull us if to set
tie that portion of her wits which he had dis
turbed by his first essay, he pushed Alice and
Judith through the entrance to Rolph's dom-
cile, and speedily following himself, he shut and
made fast the door.
Its a lucky thing for you, Bill Musgrave,"
screamed the enraged Moll, " that you are your
fathers son-if you weren't, I'd tear the tongue
out of your throat and give it to the dogs"
Well, Moll," he replied, 81 am glad to
find some advantage from being my fathers son;
for had quite concluded it would be just as
we'll for me in this world, if had never had q
father"
When he comes," she answered, Z" you may
think it would be better for you if you never
had father. If he don't fix you then for
strikn an unoffendin female, will"
"An unofendng fcmale,' Mother Moll!-
By exhibiting your beautiful features, you ex-
cite constant envy among the women, and bad
passions, and tantalizing hopes among the men,
In this way, Moll, you continually offend, ~ said
William, in voice made half inarticulate with
laughter.
"Don't talk to me about my looks, Billy
Musgrave," said Moll, whose rage was increas-
ing ~ look as well as you, or that ere gall
in there that you call SO mighty handsome; and
maybe when your father comes shall spile her
beauty some, as he will yours
"How, beautiful Moll2a You will not tear
out her tongue, will you?"
eff do, shan't give it to dog, you may
depend" wy
"No, no, delicate Molly, you had better de-
YOUR it yourself. You can't imagine how odd
! it will seem to have "a tongue in your mouth
that will tell the truth. So l recommend you
to try it if it kills you, and trust it would, so
repugnant would it be to your nature"
civilian Musgrave," said Moll, at the same
time kicking furiously against the door, 81
don't wait for your father to come before pay
you roundly for the knock you gave me. So
remember, owe you some," and she strobe
away, muttering execrations, and evincing a
furious passion in her gait.
Alice, to escape from one adversary, found
herself unavodaby thrust into the presence Of
} another. During the colloquy between Mol
: and William Belden, she was SO much agitated
by the threatening language of the former, and
fear that Moll would find means to enter the
hut of Rolph, and in her thenenraged state Of
mind, drag her forth to some scandalous debase'
ment, or for the in6iction of personal injury
that she forgot, for the time being, the presence
of Rolph But when Moll had retired, and hel
eyes, as she surveyed the room in which sht
stood, met those of Rolph, answering her owl
look with baleful gaze, she turned toward Mis-
tress McDermot, and looking up as if her who'll
soul was concentered in her face, she revealed
, a countenance expressive of the deepest ant
: most abject misery and despair. Tears starteC
in the eyes of Judith, and clasping Alice in he
arms,
my ain puir, puir BARN." said she, ha
v ye name in a the wide warld to loo YEP"
, The question SO distinctly revealed to Alic
her forlorn condition, that she wept as if he
0 heart was breaking.
go, my bairn, my BARN" continued Judith
!, I" dinna ye greet sa sair. Ye are ma leelane
: the warld."
The kind-hearted Judith, whose sympathie
: were all aroused, was thus striving to assuag
r Alices grefs, when William Belden, who di
not comprehend the cause of her present dis
u tress, gently putting his arm around her neck
f as if the action were as appropos as any in tn
world, pressed his lips to her cheek. Then start
k ing up and striding toward the door, as if h
had extracted all the subtle element in her fever
e ish cheeks, to fire his own soul, he exclaimed
e "D--n Moll I'll kill her now -
a Swinging the door violently back, he rushe
t out; Rolph at the same time calling, and Ju
dith pursuing after him. After the lapse of
g few moments which, to Alice, seemed slowly
e passing minutes, both returned William high
+; ly excited, and Judith painting for breath, as
5 her hands, as well her feet, had been Jealous
$ ly employed to sestrain the fiery youth.
What is it, Rolph, you want?" said
$ impatently, as if Judith had told him Rolp
insisted on his return.
Rolph making no immediate answer
d "D---n her, she shall die Now, NOW sh
J. shall die" said William, at the same tim
graphing Judith, who had posted herself at I'll
n door to prevent his egres; but the true-hear
|, ed Amazon, stoutly resisting him, maintaine
: her ward. She might have been compelled
e surrender but for Rolph and Alice The form
er, languidly approaching, took William by or
n arm and held him with what strength he coult
: while the latter, seizing him by the other hano
d implored him to desist.