Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-09-24

feel perfectly free to remain away day il
| wish" b"
During the evening the work was all plan
ed /; and before they retired, Aaron Rolf had
about made up his mind that he should sign
the articles OF agreement. 1t was arranged
that they should go to the Justice and have
them legally drawn up. John Boggs thought
that there was no need of any such paper
but Mr.. Rolf thought differently. Said he
We may forget; but written paper
can't forget"
And upon that they retired for the night.
In the morning Mr.. Rolf got up and went
out to snuff up the fresh air. Having wash
ed and comb his hair he thought he would
go down and look at his horse, and perhaps
give him some water. lie saw one of the
hired men and asked him if he had watcred
the animal. 1t had not been done. So he
went on to the barn. He found the stable
where he had seen the man hitch his horse
the night belore-but the horse was gone /!
lie went through to the back of the barn,
and tOnnd the door not only open but fiat
upon the ground lie won't on into the ward
and there he found the bars down lie
hunted up the hired man.
" Look yc, my man. have you seen any
ding Of my horse?'
" No. sir, was the answer
" just come here
The man followed Rolf to the empty stall.
"Did you hitch my horse there last night"
the visitor asked, pointing to where the hole
had been broken out.
"Ics, sir, the fellow said.
Didn't you know that wouldn't hold a
horse p
~ supposed Mr.. Boggs had fixed it, sir.
heard him say two or three days ago he
must do it when he h al time 1t was kind
o dark when hitchcd the horse ,and didn t
notice"
"Flx it when he had time" repeated
Rolf, in surprise. Hasn't he an auger?'
"Ycs. sir
"And hasn't he had five minutes to spare
within three days?'
'Nes, sir-a good many of 'cm, / should
think, -
But how about this door out here p
didn't 'tyou know that WAS unsafe"
Eyes, sir. It's been 50 long while
But Mr.. Boggs said he'd fix it when he had
time, and 50 | never touched it.
"Who lugged that great log of wood
around here to hold it with p
"Mr. Boggsdid,i sir
"lIe did. ell ?-Yes, yes And now how
do YOU suppose them bars came down ?"
Bars p repeated the man, somewhat
startled are them bars down again ,"
"Ihey re down now, sir
"Well-I'm glad ont Mr. Boggs said
he'd fix 'em yesterday. They only wanted
some pins in en-. | asked him yesterday
mornn' if should fix EN-. and he said no.
| lie said | might 20 to work and he'd attend
to that. Now the cows are all gone -
"Ah--l understand, - said Mr. Rolf And
as he spoke he turned away and followed the
track Of his horse to the road and saw that
it was turned towards home. lie knew the
nature OF his horse, and he was sure he
should find him in his own stall. So he
returned to the barn and having taken the
bride on his arm, and thrown the light
saddle over his shoulder, said to the hired
man -
"You can tell Mr. Boggs that I have gone
after my horse
But shan't 90 with yc, sir -
"No. know just where | shall find him.
50 Aaron Rolf went away all "saddled and
! bridIcd."
When Mr.. john Boggs came into break
fast he looked very ''bluc'
"Why-what's the matter, John ?" the
wife asked eagerly, for he looked really sad
lie made no answer and Matilda was
upon the point of asking him again when
one Of tn. rosy-cheeked little girls came run
iIillS WIN pun tNtlN Ipullutt
feature.
go mama, - she cried, don't you think
Mir Rolls horse has run off He broke
out Of the sail where the halter-hole was
clean Worn off down to cen most nothing !
and he ran out through the barn-dOor
what was all tumbled down and lie got
through the bars where the cows hooked 'eln
down '-and-don't you think-he's gone
off to try and catch him lie went with the
saddle ON his back My sakes--ain't it too
bAd?"
Matilda Boggs looked at John Boggs a
full minute, and then went on with her
breakfast. She spoke not work further upon
the subject,
The next forenoon there was letter left
at the house of John Boggs. That indi,i-
dual received it from his wife when he came
to dinner. He had been fixing up a door,
and some bars etc. lie opened the letter
and read as follows
COAX HILL, Sept. %, Is
NJ. John BQggs-
Dear Sr, You may consider that
allbuSiness relations between US are ut an end.
But will not thus abruptly break of oui
plans without giving my reason. 1t is this.
l am by nature very nervous, and | could not
entrust my interests in the hands of a mar
who cannot take care of his own. Were uo
assured that the accident Of last night wai
the result Of what has become confirmed
habit with you, | might hesitate; but un
derstand it all This will remain secre
with me; and trusting that we may remain
friends, and that you may overcome an evi
which cannot but result IN harm to you, i
followed up, | remain, yours, etc,
AARON Rolf.
John Boggs read this letter and then rush
ed from the house. Matilda picked it VI
and read it. a cloud passed over her face
and then ray Of sunshine came. In few
nom .nts she looked happy and contented.
But the dinner was getting cold, and sh
sent one Of the children after him. He cam
in, looking sad and detected, His wife wen
up to him and placed her hand upon hi
shoulder
"John," she said kindly, " "cannot yor
buy some oxen?'
Yes" he returned, moodily.
"And can you not buy them and still hav
much of the money left which you receive
for those you sold?'
q " Yes"
(, Then go and buy oxen, and hire you
men, and do that work yourself. I'll do al
a | can towards taking care of your hands
and | am sure you'll make much more tina
A you would to have a partner. Come-w
: can do our duty without the help of an
- man who does not want to assist you"
John Boggs was dumb with grateful emo
tlon. lie knew how noble she was; and h
: now realized that if he had only given het
!, to her advice before, he might have bee
\ spared much of his shame. But he sosn gaz,
up; and hisonly answer was to draw the iait
ful woman down and kiss her.
That afternoon he commenced upon a ru
of life from which he resolved not to deyiat
le He posted off at once and before night he W
60 the owner Of eight yoke Of oxen. Tn
n were not such beauties as those he had sol
IN but they were stout working-oxen. Next
r. engaged his men, And when the season (
40 work commenced be want at il with wi