Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-10-23

Inc second days journey brought us up, ear
~ IN the AFTERNOON, at a farm house, in which
we took shelter from fierce storm, and where
after the weather had cleared we were forced tc
remain IN consequence of creek, few miles
distant, which, after heavy rain, ran wild as
young Niagra. We were only sixty miles from
Van Buren,, and it was necessary, the next day
to make up for the loss Of so great portion o
that of the proceeding, so after an early break.
fast we again started, and meeting with no ac.
cldent, by night arrived at a rich bottom on the
Arkansas river, at the foot of steep, rough
mountain track known as the Pney Hills
Here we rested, after travelling sixty miles, al
farm house, the proprietor of which could boast
OF domain more extensive than one-half of the
German principalitics, and rich beyond the i'm
agination of those sons of toll who coax the vel.
low grain from we-worked northern lands
His name was Tom May, and people for miles
around told stories Of his great wealth and mi
Serly habits true it was, that n more unappe.
tsing supper than that which We sat down to
discuss, was never set before couple of way
worn travellers, and, another argument against
tce-totaiSm-we turned with gratitude to the
spiritual consolation afforded by the black bot
tic witch my acquaintance had so providentially
brought with him from the Indian Nation
lhe old miser had a wife and large family,
each member of whom wore look of dcspond-
ency, whcn it was painful to contemplate. There
was IN fact an unnatural gloom pervading the
whole atmosphere they spoke and replied to
each other in monosylabes, as if a few extra
words would be an unnecessary waste. The
mother appeared to be thoroughly identified with
old Tom in feeling and the boys and girls were
out and out chips of the old block a smile, di-
vided amongst the crowd, could not have gone
round 1t would nave been drowned in the vim
egar of any one countenance We were glad
to retire, and having expressed wish to
that effect, were shown to capacious loft in
the second story, the heavy rafters Of which
were bare, where two mattresses upon couple
OF cots were placed for our accommodation
Fatigue, the best provocation to Sleep soon seal
cd my eyes, and slumbered until about four
O'Clock IN the morning, when was awakened
ny my companion, who stood by the side of my
cot, and whose singular expression of counten-
ance shall never forget Before | was well
awake | was startled by the Question
"ln the name of God, have YOU seen ANYBODY
beside ourselves in the room during the night ~
His manner thoroughly aroused me, and
assured him that had slept from the time that
l laid down until that moment
81 am robbed whispered he, "robbed of my
belt"
"Your belt" said l. "why, where was it ?"
Around my waist" he replied, "see here is
the mark,' and sure enough, he exhibited red
circle around his body, denoting where the girth
had been.
And it has been taken from you while YOU
slept?"
at must have been, for am almost certain
l had it on when went to bed"
"How much was in it ?"
Ten thousand dollars, principally in bank
notes of Tennessee and Kentucky money"
Here was a sumner. | was now as wide awake
as my companion. and felt almost c nnenviahle
and inwarlly accused old Tom of having per
petrated the robbery, but how could he have ta-
ken it from the person of my room mate with
out awakening him, pcrplexed and aggravated
me; / say aggravated, for did not know but
that he night divide his suspicion between old
Tom and myself
was soon dressed, and down stairs, where
the family was stirring who were speedily made
acquainted with my companions 'loss. As
watched old Toms countenance, shall never
forget the sinister look with which he regarded
me from beneath his shaggy eye brows; it re-
turned my own suspicious glance with cent per
cent interest," and as if had been guilty of the
theft actually quailed beneath it,
One hope remained we had thoroughly
searched the mattrass and sheets, until we were
satisfied that it was not in the room where we
passed the night, but hope remained that it
might have slipped from his body where he slep,
the night previous and which was in capacious
old-fashioned feather bed, of the most comfort
able dimensions. Back he determined to re-
trace his steps. but as | could not spare time
or use up my horse in returning with him, ole
Tom readily consented to furnish him with
saddle-horse. He himself appeared to enter
tain hopeful impression that he should vet re
-. L.. \ L i ls..l- q -
did not doubt but that old Tom had it in hi
clutches, and under this impression found diff
fculty in abstaining from taking the old fellow
by the throat every time detected his sinister
glances directed towards myself. had har
messed my team, and was swallowing a muddy
decoction which the hostess had dignificd by tn,
name of coffee, when the agent suddenly utter
ed an incomprehensible ejaculation, and rushed
from the room to our sleeping apartment. A
the first pop. concluded that his loss had un
dermined his reason, and that he had gonl
mad, but while cogitating with no very pleasu
rabe sensations as to what might be the resul
of his adventure, he returned, smiling, to use
carpenters simile, like "a basket of chips a
the same time waving aloft the mysterious belt
The riddle was speedily solved, and the mud
dy decoction, yclept coffee, must have inspired
his memory, for while imbibing it "a dream @
tle Hlbnl suuucillN HuSntu' utHWdrt his lUllPl
nation. In an uneasy slumber, he thought tina
old Tom was after his belt, and to hide it fror
him, he thurst it within the rafters above hi
head. A light flashed across his mind while h
was slipping the aforesaid decoction, and rlishin
TO the room he mounted his cot, when thrus,
ing his arm within the heavy rafters sure enough
there was the belt and its contents, as safe as
it had never left his carcass. Simultaneous
old Tom and myself exchanged remorseft
glances, as he shook hands with me at parting
a reciprocal squeeze told how we mutually re
GREETED our unjust suspicious.
In three days more | reached Little Rocl
where lfarted with my companion, not sorr,
if the truth must be told for the uneasy sensi
ton he had givap me by his somnambulist
trick, had left very unpleasant sensation, an
from the time we left old Tom until we partet
his belt was source Of much greater solicitud
to me than to him.
Great men never swell it is only three Gel
individuals, who are salared at the rate of tw
hundred dollars year, and dine on potato,
and dried herring, who put on airs and hasf