Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-26


afternoon, by short, thick-set individual, with
sandy whiskers and long red hair, and who car
ried bundle on his back not unlike Leon him
self He appeared 10 be weary and hungry,
and somewhat low-spirited at first though he
gradually became more tllkative as they walked
along,
:" So you come from st. Aubin7'' said the
stranger, after talking for time on general
matters. l." When did you leave"
yesterday morning"
Business good there?"
Middling, | think, though can hardly
tell. have always worked on farm, little
distance from the village, and really know but
| little about it,"
"No You don't own a farm there!" said
the stranger inquiringly
"No."
&" lire one, eh! Z"
"No-not exactly, " replied Leon, who hard
ly knew what reply to make, and who asked, to
change the subject
Did you come through St. Aubin!'
No, | come the other way. l stayed last
night only seven miles from St. Aubin. The
branch road from Coles hill is great saving"
They came to little clear cold brook, which
came singing down the mountain, and crossed
the highway, when Leon knelt down and drank
of the water The stranger took black, filthy
pipe from his vest pocket and plug of tobac-
co and an old tobacco knife from his breeches
pocket and prepared to smoke. After lighting
his pipe, they went on together again.
" GU come the old road, take it,"
did, yes | was never this way before,
and do not understand the shortest routes"
" Never here before 7"
No"
Why l drove stage through this region, on
and off, for fifteen years, and know every inch
Of the ground for seventy five miles.
/" You know how to take the advantage,
then, said Leon, who Notwithstanding he in
voluntarily ieltan aversion to the man, thought
perhaps he would be valuable travelling com
panion.
g do that But I'm tired and hungry
got any lunch in your bundle!"
mot any--I'm hungry myself"
Where did you eat dinner"
{" haven't had aay The truth is, have
no friends in these parts, and am without mon
ey,' said Leon, ingenuousy.
Bless me no DINER? You must be starry
ing. We will call at the next house and get
supper"
"A'e you acquainted -
mot personally y-n1 But | uAIi,stand
they are excellent people, and will, no doubt,
give US something"
| think we had better call One thing is GER
tain, can 90 much further without food, and
| should like to 60 few miles yet tonight. "
Int little distance they came to large
wooden farmhouse, painted white originally,
but faded considerably with large out buildings
newly covered the whole having a good sub
stanta, home-like look. They went round
under the shed to the kitchen door and asked
for some supper, which the good woman imme
diAtey set upon little side table, and of which
they partook literally.
During the meal, Leon caught the eyes of
the stranger fixed upon him with snake-like
expression that made him shudder, but he shook
off the spell, and after finishing their repast,
they pursued their journey.
Leon felt Ill at ease, however. Without
knowing why it was, as the stranger once more
lit his filthy pipe. and walked for u time in s-
lence, he felt iutuitively the presence of an evil
spirit, and presenliment of something dread
fM.
The stranger seemed to divine his feelings,
Tor he Immediately took measures to change the
current of his thoughts and disarm his suspi-
cions.
How far are you travelling, my young
friend y asked the stranger; any distance -
" Perhaps so cannot tell, y replied Leon /;
Z" till find employment
g Going to work, then!"
/" Going to do something am in want of
money; anu shal CaAe lne OuslnooS 'H"V VIII pay
best."
"You have worked on u farm, you sayP
"Yes all my life. shall probably have to
work at that business"
{" Perhaps, after all, we are fortunately met.
am in want of just such a hand," said the
stranger, insnuatingly
" You :" Leon looked incredulous
{, Yes own "a Iarge farm a nd am short or