Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-07

traditionary omens, such as grandams are apt
to publish in children's ears.
"But come in, come in, said she, contin-
uing her discourse; q the rain is again falling
fast, and look the sun is shining too A rare
occurrence, and one that betokens HARM
" Pshaw - said Hartman, carelessly, tits
only sign that the devil is whipping his wife
proof of his depravity to be sure, but that's
ALL"
"No. no." said the spouse; "that's not
all. Indeed that is the least of evil it betides.
How many times have told you that my great
Uncle, Benjamin, a hearty, we'll man, fell dead
on his own door-sill during such an event?
And many are the sad consequences, and dire
mishaps that have heard old Mann Quarles
relate, as having accompanied, or speedily fol-
lowed, this fearful sign So hasten in."
AT this moment the rattling of wheels at
tracted their attention. and q L.raEeessss- " .s-
speotable appearance, and easy manners, drove
under shed adjoining Harrimans house, and
requested the privilege of a shelter there till
the storm should be past. 1t was, of course,
readily granted, and he was invited in.
Divesting himself of his overcoat, which was
thoroughly drenched, the stranger threw him
self into chair and soon fell into conversation
with Hartman on subjects relating to agricul-
tural life. Evidently familiar with the subject,
the former conducted the discourse with such
skill and interest, as to secure the entire atten-
ton of the latter, and to obtain from him
disclosure of his pecuniary condition; from which
it appeared that, excepting comparatively
small indebtedness, Hartman was the owner of
the farm on which he lived, the cattle, farming
utensils, &C., with which it was stocked, GO free
and clear" as the phrase is; and with his con-
dition and prospects he avowed himself quite
content.
The day was wearing late the weather was
drizzly and the nearest Inn being some miles
distant, the stranger was urged to have his
horse stabbed, and to accept of Harriman's hos
pitality for the night With apparent reluc-
E tance he complied The horse being groomed,
the guest sat down to a substantial supper with
the family of his host Mrs. Hartman re-
l garded the stranger with an eye of curiosity,
! and a feeling of respect. She Judged him to
be person who had been accustomed to a more
q polished society, and more tasteful habits Of
life, than her own, and she strove, by display
J. of her best table furniture tidy arrangement
# of her own, and her childrens gear and by
such other appliances as women only, can sue.
d cessfully adopt, to soften the contrast between
n her own pastoral habits, and those she imputed
,r to the stranger. He quickly OWNED hel
l. thoughts concerning himself, and resolved tt
N strengthen her impressions. As to Hartman
the surmise Of his wife was conviction to him
y. He was proud of his guest and more proud o
q her who could, instanter, give so modish an al
to his hitherto unpretending household. Tn
% thought struck him, "What fine thing
wealth." He wished he were rich, and within
his own heart resolved he must be- Then, as
awakened from a reverie, and turning his at
tention to his guest, he said % Stranger, hav
revealed to you my history and my condition
yet know neither your name, residence, or vo
cation"
+, " Really, friend Hartman, for as such you
v. hospitality constrains me to regard you, hay
~ been remiss in proper courtesy. Pardon me ft
> this, and l will not only crafty your reasonab
y curiosity in these matters, but explain to 20
:, :. the object of my journey wherein you may
y, able to assist me-"
~ i" Any thing in my husbands power to obli(
y you, sir, he will gladly undertake"
"I thank you in advance, Madam, for h
-. aid, and shall be both able and willing to rewal
him for it, But let me relieve his doubts COZ
~ ~ cerning me. My name is Musgrave My res
=, dence is in the town of D, in the Provin
nN of Canada. As to vocation, cannot well s;
" l have any. The labor of former years secur
- me competence, and from that property w
~ invested, derive an income more than suffcie
- for all my wants"
~ b" You have family, Of course, Mr.. Nh
'oi grave?" said Mrs. Hartman, enquiringly.
a' Stung by an allusion which always forced hi
w to prevaricate, he answered with a contemptuo
~ smile, " Indeed, Madam, have not the pleasu
Il of being one of those who in the Judgment, j.
" judgment, of your sex, should say, are the bt
specimens of propriety, to wit, married men
'n' and here he hoped the subject would be droppe
u " Is it possible? ," she exclaimed; ga bach
=. lor of your years and property?'
0n " Pardon me, said he, with more comp
'' cent, yet evidently forced smile, 81 have CHI
l'' whose mother died three years ago"
IN " A son, or daughter? And how old ?"
IN, IN, GA boy, five years of age"
nu ~ IF he resembles his father he is"--har
= some, she hought,-" strongly Marked" s
'.' would have said; but
nu Hateful as q fiend {" burst in a half-su
pressed tone from the lips of Hartman as NJ
Hartman, abruptly checking herself, turned
a, her daughter Alice, who had at that nsta
'Do screamed with alright, and fallen sonseless
y. the floor.
While the attention of Mrs. Hartman v
'', directed to the recovery Of her child the col
Ao tenancc of Musgrave, which had assumed
'oeo aspect of demon, was gradually relaxing
ave- ferocity and ere Alice and her parents had
MS covered from the agitation consequent upon
'res- extraordinary appearance of the stranger,
ohe face had recovered the placid smile, and an
arge defnable power Of attraction which was
y as wont. But Daguerreotype impression of t
YES. hateful physiognomy, true to life, was ira
the ferred to the tablet of Alice's memory,
I'M served in years long after, to inspire her he
pru- with a resolution, and her tongue with po
deth of flial eloquence that restored to her moth
pass husband, and herself father, who "was d