Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-18

was unavoidably delayed till just prior to the
date of his letter. Consequently he has learned
but little yet; but this he knows, there were
two children, and only two. Both are sup
posed to have been long dead Yet he says
from my letter he infers that some one is living
who claims to be an heir and adds that if it be
a child, it must be the eldest, concerning whose
death the father had, many years ago, equiv
ocal rumors which the continued absence of the
child has tended to confirm. The youngest he
says, was undoubtedly lost with the parents
at Sea-
i" Humphl' said Musgrave. Well, what
of the estate ?'' he continued.
aThat, he says, is quite large; the amount
he had no opportunity to learn, but tits very
large"
g Good - said Musgraye Now, Barker,
Ill sell you what, ] have papers in my posses
sion, in Belden's own handwriting how !
came by them matters not to you,-"
"No, no." said Barker
"Quite sufficient to make out the case ]
think some of them are important papers too
but the difficulty is to identify the boy without
the presence of him, Or witnesses, in England y
"Somehow have got an impression, Mus
grave" said Barker with puritanical visago
{" that you know the boy to be Bolden's SON.
elf did, said the former, &" l would not
go to England to swear to it for half the King g's
dominion
g Well it strikes me | have heard, or
dreamed, there were other witnesses the facts
can be established BY" continued Barker.
True, | think there are two snaggcrs,
named Pellet, and Clovis. One is so id u
villain dare not trust him; and the other is
so much a friend to the boy, fear him too.
The latter mistrust is the person seen tonight
in company with woman in this neighbor-
hood"
"The business cannot be accomplished without
proof" answered Barker, " and / think the
best proof to be obtained had better be taken
advantage of. The papers-where are they?"
Safe, at my house, said Musgrave.
Well, Musgrave, send the boy, with tho
papers, and such witnesses as you dare trust,
to claim the estate and remember the prize is
worth labor and risk to acquire"
you will 60 and take charge of the bus
mess in person, Barker?"
81 can not well 60, the latter answered "My
business presses at home Besides, notwithstand-
ing the amount of snags | have unwittingly
passed, among all the citizens of New York no
ones character stands fairer for integrity than
mine yet from this business if it should fail, II
stencil would arise that would undo me quite
4 II | knew the persons to be employed" he
added, as Musgrave evinced signs of dispeasure,
{" might be more disposed to undertake it,"
g The persons to be empoyed?'' answered
Musgrave. "I have already described one -
the other is as honest as you, Or me. Yet fear
the latter most. He has more influence with
the boy than have, though the child believes
me to be his father and should fear that that
influence would be exerted for the protection Of
the boys interest not ours"
Z" have boy of about the same age ss this
heir, who is as much mine for service, though
not of my blood, as we are Satan s !" said Bar
ker. Suppose, we substitute him for the heir,
and take the id villain, as you call him,
for witness to confirm the pretence Would
that with the papers, secure the estate to our
hands %
4 " If he is shrewd, cunning, and true, it
might. 1t is d good thought, Barker"
Heso abounds in those qualities, and en-
' ploys them with such consummate knavery in
the service of his master, that verify believe
one of the devils imps has died, and left his
art to the boy, for LEGACY" said Barker.
This business is difficult to arrange Mus
grave replied. "Let us 60 to c., and
think of it over light
" You will stay, then, tomorrow
g can not say. ought to 60 to Vermont
before | go home, but the appearance here Of
that stranger plaques me"
Well, let's adjourn, for the air is getting
chilly" These words were scarcely uttered
when female, wrapped in a dark colorcd cloak,
and seated ON stone near corner of the
church, about six PAGES distant from the con-
feroeS, unobserved, and apparently unobserving
the latter in clear, loud, and unusually mel
low tone of voice, in manner between singing
and speaking, gave utteranee to the following
words, which, from their tenor, and the mode
of delivery, seemed to have been original with
her, and impromptu:--
! when the slv'ry moon is shining brightly
! And my wrecked heart is beating lightly;
! 0, then love to turn nightly
! Where erst the pous soul contritely
| Bowed or in grievous sorrow wept -
Where late and long rude winds have swent
The ehurchs haow'd walls and the owlet,s kent
Lone watch and ward and in its tower slept
BY day sole reck'ner Of the pious bead -
Sole list'ner to the prayer of need -
By night sole witness to the damned deed,
That gives to heplessness nor tongue nor heed -:
love, upon the vacant air, my song
To sing, and its echong notes proong-
ferchance to nerve the weak -lsarm the strong;-
Anon upbear the truth and right the wrong;-
Ana from all the gay, yet careless throng
oproot the tares, and SOW good seeds among.'
" In the name of all the devils in hell !" said
Musgraye, approaching her and surprised at
her sudden appearance, " who, and what arc
you?"
\ Indulge not such profanity said she,
within the precincts of the Holy Third
Concesslones', This is no place for babblins
tongues, Or the contemplation of worldly
thoughts. Though the sons of Belial have
long ago expelled the children of the Holy Faith,
and have sought to make these consocrated
walls the subject of their unhallowed iests;--
a byword and reproach in their nnnodlr