Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-07
CHAPTER II.

Sam found frequent opportunity OF stepping
in at Peter Hoffnrn's to converse with Kitty,
and when the time approached for his raft to 60
down the river, he proposed plan to her. He
would remain at Oldtown, and enter school !;
Kitty should not have husband who could
neither read nor write.
To that she replied " You are Q. hero, Sam !;
but you do not know how hard it will be to lift
up your tall person in the A B G class"
A flush of modification passed over his face,
but moment after he looked up with bright
smile, and said f." can bear it, Kitty; never
fear for me-
The plan was carried out, and he encountered
all Of which he had been warned but his pur-
pose was not shaken. He applied himself with
50 much perseverance that he was soon enabled
to read, but writing he found much more diff
cult. He could not sacceed in forming one
sentence which he was willing thatKitty should
lo)k upon-thus he was unable to fulfill his
promise of writing to her:
Crawford, with the keen glance of jealousy
discovered the affection existing between the
lovers. but as his own interest in Kitty was no
secret, he resolved not to be outrvaled by Indian
Sam.
Sans school was nearly ended, and he had
begun to count the time in days when he would
return to Brooks Mill, when one morning he
was hailed by familiar voice. 1t was that Of
Crawford, and every old feeling of resentment
vanished in the pleasure of seeing face from
the settlement Crawford told him he had
come down on business connected with the mill,
which would detain him several days, and then
he detailed to him all the news of the settle.
ment, mentioning Hoffman and his daughter in
cidentally, as if they were not of especial in
terest to either of them.
Sam had commissioned friend who was
going to Bangor to procure for him several
articles which he designed to present to Kitty.
In the mean time, his school had closed, and
Craw lord proposed that he should visit Bangor
with him, overcoming his objections by Offering
to defray his expenses.
He played the cicerone admirably, taking him
to every place of interest. and LASTLY to visit the
shipping. There was one vessel bound for Cali
fornia, in which he fingered for hours, con-
versing with the men on the land of gold, and
frequently turning to Sam with expressions of
wonder and delight. After leaving, he propos
ed that they should both ship as hands on board
the Gold Hunter, remain two years in Califor.
MIA, and then return rich enough to buy tht
whole township which contained the little set
tlement of Brooks Mill.
Sam was unmoved by the proposal, and ir
the evening Crawford again led him to the yes
sci, There were u number of men collected il
the fore CASTLE and he declared that he mus
have Zone drink with such good fellows before
leaving them forever"
The bottle was irresistible, and they soon be
came uproarous. Sam took but one glass. ye
his head reeled and his limbs lost their strength
Crawford was nosiest of all. lie sang, dancet
and shouted, but suddenly became silent, looke'
keenly around, and then slipped out. II
sought the captain-ofered himself for ham
WAS cccpted-.signed the papers SAMuE
SPRING, and then disappeared
Sam had fallen down overcome by what h
had drank for there was white sediment i
his glass, which none of the Others contained
The vessel was several miles down the bay th
; next morning before he staggered upon deck
but his name had been read off long before
His astonishment and dsmay may well be in
agined The sailors pitied him, but suppose
lie had signed when intoxicated; the captai
supposed the same, and would not listen t
him-so they sailed for California.
> Crawford returned to Brooks Mill, hlvin
! accomplished the object for which he had left
The grief and modification of Kitty ma
well be imagined, when she learned from hil
the taithlessness of her lover. and the wnte
y which followed was dark indeed, with he
hopes extinguished. and her fathers intempel
J ance increasing. Crawlords kindness and a
. tentions alone made life cndurable, yet she fe
y a rcpugnance to him which she in vain ende;l,
ored to overcome.
Hoffman had passed day of drunkenness
e and Crawford had succeeded in getting him
l. bed. lie then returned to the fireside whel
IS Kitty was sitting, and spoke to her of her Fl
y ture, unprotected, and worse, by such fathe
e Then he told her of his love, and how he wou
1t protect and cherish her If she would perm
IS him. She was deeply touched by so much kim
ness and expressed many thanks, but begg'
e. him never again to recur to the subject
a, When her father recovered from his fit of i
temperance, he was, as usual, wretched al
re despondent, and Kitty's feelings underwe
A their accustomed change, from disgust to pit
in lie told her with falling tears, and tremblil
er voice, that it was in her power to make q M
,h of him that he was deeply in debt to Cra,
In ford, and that if she would marry him he wou
be relieved from his feelings of dependence, al
.ss solemnly promised never again to taste dr.
of liquor. Then there came to Kitty a territ
nd conflict, and she made that mistake which h
res wrecked the happiness of so many; to II fa
ed sense of duty she sacrificed every instinct
On der nature.
She consented to marry Crawford, and pre-
pc arativns were made for the wedding But
few days before the event was to take place
ne stranger, dressed in hunters costume, call
of upon her lie introduced himself as 10
Brown Of Oldtown, a friend of Samuel Sprir