Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-26
New SERIES, No. 213.
vH,z5Hp puwS $2,O0 Per Year.
TERMS $3.50 In Advance.

w tl6fo Is ~
Sixty miles from here, over the mountain
Would you like to work! Will give you an
easy chance and good wages
yes, should like 10 work for good wages.
Bnt you are jesting!"
Il was never more serious. You are Judging
from appearances, are you not 90
=" Partly perhaps" said Leon hesitatingly
He was puzzled.
Appearances are often deceptive" continued
the stranger quickly "This garb is only as
sumed for greater safety. am not what seem
by any means. The fact is there have been so
many murders and robberies committed iu Cnls
region in the last three years, that don't dare
to trust myself openly with a large sum of
money. have beon collecting money for beef
sold year ago, and took this course soley for
safety. How much should you ask -
90, I don't know; what could you give!'
g How would fifteen dollars month do Z"
Fair though should rather have twenty -
Undoubtedly. You would like thirty better
yeti
Certainly, but have no expectation of get
ting it."
"No?"
Not in the least Though in my situation
no amount would come amiss.
You would work for thirty dollars !"
1t is more than can earn"
d" Would you work for thirty!"
. Glad of the chance assure you"
i" Bargain. I'll give it"
Leon was a good deal surprised at the turn
the matter was taking, and he hardly knew
whether to give the stranger his confidence, or
regard him as base trider with his feelings.
g Pardon, stranger, said Leon, after mo-
ment's reflection, g am really in search of
employment, and hope you will not be so I'M
kind as to awaken hopes only to disappoint
them. 1t may make sport for you, but it would
be most unfortunate for me-
Leon said this in serious earnest manner,
determined, if possible, to come to conclusion,
whether he was what he claimed to be, or only
trihing.
6 am as much in earnest as you can posi-
Bile be," said the stranger. " could of course
have no possible motive for deceiving you. |
shall want you to stay a couple Of years, five
are mutually satisfied, longer. am doing a
great dairy business, and need just the kind of
help which suppose you to be. wish to say,
however, that if you have misrepresouted your
capabilities, and don understand farming, that
| should not bind myself to any length of time.
0 yes, certainly l am in earnest, aud in order
to convince you beyond question, take this"
handing him gold eagle, and displaying a
handful of the precious metal, " and put it in
your pocket
Leon took the money, folded it up carefully
in two thicknesses of paper, put it in knit
money purse, and deposited the whole in his
pocket His confidence in the good intentions
of his companion was fully established, and he
congratulated himself on his excellent fortune.
They came to point where the road curved
crescent-like TO the left, making it necessary to
go four miles to accomplish two in a straight
line
Here we must leave the road, - said the
stranger, land take IL more direct route. Tn
miles across lots we can go four by the road
Over this way
. Are You sure2"
20 yes-been it fifty times," he said, leaping
over the fence and leading the way across the
field, toward dark forest beyond,
Leon followed his stranger guide with "a con
siderable degree of confdence-yot was unable
to avoid a vague indefinite feeling of fear as
they left the meadow and entered the dark for
est now deepening with the slowly gathering
shades of twilight. They hurried on in silence,
Leon, busy with thoughts of St. Aubin and
home, and in trying to analyze the presentiments
of evil that forced themselves upon his mind, III
defiance of his reason--and the stranger per-
fecting the plan he had been sent to execute.
just as the last rays Of the setting sun disap-
peared from the tops of the mountains, and
deep twilight shadow rested in the vale
they reached the bank Of the river, at a. pr =
two miles above where they left the main roa,
and about the same distance from it in every
direction, they beng in the centre Of circle
which the road and western mountains descrb-
ed. They were in thicket of evergreens--
spruce hemlock and cedar. The river imniedi"
ately opposite was about four rods wide, and
three feet deep, and though strong curren4
sxvent mast. nresented on unbroked surface, the