Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-02-16
" Your father s +? ="
My father $. John Howard. +"

pressed. Why, you arc the very one OF all
others l most wish to see. {"
Me How is it possible?" T"
The words were hardly spoken, when the old
man discovered that he had said too much.
g cannot tell you wholly he answered,
" but tits for your good | have discovered
most devilish plot, on the part Of a most dam
nable villain, to take your life. This, doubt
less, was the first attempt"
And will be the last said Leon. "Ihave
wronged nobody"
cit is not that. There is more weighty
reason, which it is not best for me to tell you.
You must not go back.
" don't intend to, yet"
"You must not. But what are your inten-
tions ?"
"To go to work somewhere as soon as can
find employment"
"Not about here" said the old man, You
must go farther. p"
g am going"
But where?"
"To Glenhaven, perhaps till get busi-
ness, anyway"
Farther-it will not do You must go
long journey-you must leave the country" ."
Leon looked surprised.
"Your safety demands it" continued the old
man, {" and there is no help for it. But it is
getting late, and you need rest. You must
leave here in the morning--I will then tell you
where to go. must think now"
In a little while the two strangers-the white
headed old veteran and the beardless youth
lay down upon the rude bed of boughs, and
passed the night in undsturbed repose.
In the morning the fire was re.kindled, and
the breakfast, consisting wholly of fish and
fowl, hastily cooked and eGsen.
It was cool, cloudy meaning. with fresh
wind blowing from the South. The clouds in
the East were erlmsoned with the rays of the
rising sun, and the sky overhead was beauti-
fully dappled The roar of the falls could be
heard with increased distinctness, and tho
breeze that rippled the forest leaves, turned
them up-all indicating rain.
'You must go now," said the stranger, as
they stood by the door looking upon the cloudy
prospect, and listening to the ominous roar of
waters &C and am prepared to advise you.-
But yon must first promise that you will follow
my advice"
Leon stood in silence, puzzled whether to re-
gard him in complete confidence, Or whether to
pursue his original plan.
Perhaps SO, said Leon, in reply.
'' But will you promise
"Why should n"
"Because it is for your interest You are in
want of money, arc you not?"
81 am-heaven knows how much"
"And you are willing to do any way to get
it?"
ANY thing honorable will go to the
ends of the earth for better prospect of max
ing money!" said Leon earnestly.
LET me tell you, them" said the old man,
after moments pause, " that if you will follow
my advice, you will not only secure personal
safety, but will stand double the chance to make
money. You must go to California
"Where?" asked Leon, unable to make him
self believe that he had heard Alright "to
California;"
"California.
"On the Pacific ?"
"The same.
"What great advantages has that over any
other place? "
I" Let me tell you again. 1t isa newly-dis-
covered gold region. have the very best au-
thority for saying that gold exists there in vast
quantities, and by hard labor and perseverance,
you would be sure to make fortune there in a
few years. Will you go"
" l should be glad to-" said Leon m usingly
q but how can I? ("
+" Go to New York and take passage in some
sailing vessel for San Francisco, will be the bes
route, think. There are several good vessels
already fitting out for the voyage"
" But it takes money" said Leon
Never mind. | understand, If furnish
the means, will you 20
" Most gladly" said Leon, now fully CON
yinced of the sincerity Of his companion; +" bul
you are jesting.''
Not at all"
The old man took from his pocket we'll 6lled
purse, and counted out three hundred dollars in
gold, and handed them to Leon.