Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-14
HARLEY HARTMAN
r CHAPTER III.
THE sNAGGERs' RETREAT.

CHAPTER III.
THE sNAGGERs' RETREAT.
On the morning of the day after Musgrave
fell in with the family of Hartman, the for
mer was busy in preparations for his homeward
journey. Acknowledging his obligation for the
hospitality of the latter, he avowed his anxiety
to reciprocate the favor if Hartman would be
kind enough to suggest means of doing 50.
A selection from his valuable imported stock, or
loan of money, would be an agreeable way of
S signifying his gratitude if Hartman would per-
NIT him to do So Hartman would be glad
to avail himself of the use of a few hundred
dollars in money he said, and if Musgrave
would accommodate him in that particular, his
already large Indebtedness would be greatly in
creased. 1t was accordingly agreed that Har-
riman should visit Musgrave at D, in
course of the then ensuing week to secure the
loan and the latter drove away.
When Hartman re-entered his house, he
found his wife in musing attitude from which
his first salutation did not arouse her. Mr..
Musgrave has done us good service, wife, y said
he, "and he has kindly offered to do us more.
lie has promised me loan of money-just the
article have use for now, and next week
am going to D to get it.''
These tidings were not so agreeable to Mrs.
Hartman as he had hoped.
"Mr Musgrave has, indeed, done us good
service, and we owe him thanks,' said she, and
although distrust not his friendship, yet do
indulge an inward fear that misfortune awaits
us connected with his coming. The token in
the sky inspires me with forebodings fraught
with evil to us or ours So, husband, l pray
you stay away"
"Pshaw, wife, for once discard your silly
fears, or let me, by my success, dispel these
phantoms of the brain. II have engaged to meet
Musgrave, and must, if have to encounter
all the spectres your Imagination can conjure
up"
The next week Hartman set out for the
township of D, with a. conveyance Of
his " landed estate for the security of Mus
grave, in his pocket.
When he arrived there Musgrave was not at
home, but an agent, anticipating his name and
business, made known to Hartman that he had
the funds ready to be delivered on receipt Of the
necessary security.
Accordingly Hartman passed his deed, re-
ceived the money, and expressing his regret that
he could not see Musgrave, who was to be some
days absent, took his departure homeward with
heavy purse and light heart. Before he had
quite reached his home, however, he discovered te
his great dismay, by the aid of perceptions more
acute than his own, that the hundreds in hi
purse were very like " such stuff as dreams ar
made of''-the shadow, not the substance, Of
the genuine " Mex-ic-ans."
Confused and disappointed, he hesitate'
whether to go forward or to retrace his steps
The misfortune his wife presaged had come
Against her counsel he sought Musgrave's loan
and the result was that his farm was largel..
encountered by fictitious debt. yet, SAT-
he to himself, +" Musgrave was gone 1t cal
not be his fault. His agent is villain, and h
alone has defrauded me. Musgrave is my friend
Twill 60 home, state the facts to my wife, an
then, without delay, seek out Musgrave VIII
will gladly aid me to right the wrong, procur
the punishment of the villain, and secure m
own again"
Confident in this view of the matter he pur
sued his homeward way Reflection, instead 0
suggesting difficulties, tended to confirm hi
hopes The deed must be deposited in th
office of the town Clerk, to make the It'll
good, said he, again soliloquizing, "and that
tits all unreasonable to suppose is done, fo
since parted with it, have journeyed home
ward without delay"
When he reached home he gave rapid state
ment of his misfortune to his wife, and hasten
ed to the Office Of the recording Clerk. There
to his utter confusion, he learned that the dee
had been recorded, and taken away by strar
ger some twelve hours before His only hop,
it was now agreed by himself and his wife, wa
in Musgrave, and without disclosing his ev
fortune to others, he made hasty preparation
for visit to Musgrave, resolved never to retur
till he should recover the title to his land, or
equivalent for it,
While Hartman was vending his way bac
to D, the following conversation was ha
in the house of Musgrave.
" Your friend Hartman has been here, Can
Musgrave"
"Ah ha Well what success with him. P,
let?"
GA perfect gudgeon, Cap'n Musgraye. Yor
land lubbers are not like old sea dogs He toe
the bait like tom cod, or starved mackere
Shiver my timbers, Cap'n if don't believe he
ha' bitten at the bare hook. paid him off
the real Cogniac. Here's the deed, dye SCI
Was sorry he couldn't see Mr.. Musgrave, b
as you wasn't like to be telegraphed for sever
days, Capn, he couldn't lay byso when
got his cargo slowed away, he weighed anch
and stood out to sea, with all sail set, and t
majesty Of seventy four. got aboard t
chesnut nag, run athwart his bows somewhei
but in what latitude can't say, and arrived
port twelve hours in advance of him-got t
deed entered on the manifest and there's t
officers record of the fact.
"Well done Well done, Pellet But wh
did you do with your salt water phrases y