Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-01-06
MAT WARD;
OR,
THE TORY'S D o ON.
A Tale Of the Days that Tried Mems Souls.
BY the Author Of g The Scout of the Lake, Waldo,
Life on the Border.' &C., &C,
CHAPTER Xve

Life on the Border.' &C., &c,
-t =. 49,, -l,l->-,-.~.>-,-~->.-->~~>,
CHAPTER XIV.
STRANGE COMPACT.
Tht thread of cur narrative now takes us to
a larss a,t splendid mansion iFituated in that
region where majestic and beautiful scenery
abeaMd---the Highlands of the Hudson. The
building stood upon slight emnence, and its
front commanded a fine view of the river which
rushed past over the rocks forming cascades,
made interesting by the wild legends which were
associated with them. On the one side the
rocks lifted their forms towards Heaven, covered
with flowers and moss, giving them pleasing
as well as majestic look. Far in the rear swept
the broad fields of grain, whose harvest afforded
tho settlers q subsistence during the struggle in
which many of them had joined. The occupant
of the mansion was man by the name of Pal
mer, who had come there some years previous to
the opening of our tale, and built and furnished
it in style of magnifcence that far excelled his
less wealthy neighbors. He had an only child,
a son of some thirty years, and the manage
ment of his household affairs were entrusted to
domestic who had accompanied them there
No one knew from whence he came-no one
asked him. for there was always that air of
conscious superiority about him that efectually
precluded all attempts to inquire into his affairs
Upon one subject he was ever ready to give his
opinion, and that was, that the Colonies would
be finally subjected and placed once more under
the tyrannical rule Of King George The
larger share of his crops afforded food for the
British army, for which he received liberal
sums Of gold,
One evening, short time after the mystic
rious attempt to take Boyden's life, Joel Pal
mer was seated in his library alone, He leans
his head upon his hand as he sits near the win
dow, which opens upon the Hudson, and gazef
far down the road which leads past the house
as if in expectation of meeting some person
whom he is awaiting. You would scarcely find
countenance of more intellectually than the
one he bears, and there is something noble aboat
the brow of the occupant of the room which
imprcsses you with the idea that he is no ordi-
nary man. But if you were to look closer, and
study more carefully his lineaments, you would
find something materially .detracting from the
opinion you formed of him by casual glance
The human face is like books-there ar
some which you can skim lightly over, reading
here and there a passage, and yet form correc
opinion of its merits and fully comprehend tn
subject of which it treats and others, whicl
you must read carefully and attentively eac
sentence, ere you comprehend their meaning
and designs,
Once met, and Joel Palmer would leave ia
vorable impression upon your mind, but oftene
in his society, and you could hardly tell VIII
you would find these impressions giving way t
those of a less pleasing character. On close
view he wore a different aspect. There wer
lines about the mouth which told of natur
you would be unwilling to trust, and the full
prominent lips betokened predomnance G
the sensual passions. At times there dwelt i
his eye u peculiar look you could scarcely ana
lyze, though it was one which made you invo
unfairly tremble when you met it. Such WI
the appearance of the man, and we will giy
the reader an insight into the real nature whic
was hidden beneath polished exterior an
well-cultivated mind. He sat an hour in tt
position in which we found him, ever and anc
exclamations of impatience escaping his lip
At last he pulled bell cord near him, and in
few moments the house-keeper answered IL
summons.
g Margery," he sad " what hour this eve
ing did Ward state he should be here -
" AT six, sir, precisely"
And what time is it now? ?''
Just saEen, sir, by the clock"
You can 60. As soon as he comes, sci
him up here
The house-keeper retired, and he resumed /
former position.
wonder what keeps him so long tonight
muttered Palmer. "If he chances to be
one of his cussad fits Of insanity, there is
certainty that | shall see him at all. Son
times almost fear to trust my secrets wi
him, yet who would believe his story if
should choose to betray me D."
"Who, do you ask ?" exclaimed the SIN
voice Of Mat Ward
s. Yes who would believe you, Mat Ward
you should happen to take it into your head
betray the trust am about to place in you
said Palmer turning towards the Maniac "
had thus quietly entered TIM room.
{" No one, perhaps, Joel Palmer; and yet
you have secrets which you are afraid to TT
me with you had better not revea! them.
sent for me tonight to tell me secret BUSH
you wished m to perform, but were | to
You Of in attempt which you planned to N
der man you f'ar, then you might think t
there ars some secrets of your life know
me-
:. What mean you, Ward2" slid Pall
his face growing alternately red and pale
Just what | say, SIR Perhaps you !
not heard of an attempt upon the life of a
called Boyden, shorttme since y
" | have; but what is that to me-? "
Nothing, perchancei only he was so 70