Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-12

you KNOW InaC OlOcum Will uOS Ino1 anu Hly
old cronies drag me back to destruction tell
you I'm going, and that sudden, too"
Right! John Howard, you are always
right, when you are yourself, and am glad to
see you in that condition again. Col see it is
your only chance-and God speed you"
"Thore, Doctor, that's the way to talk. l
am thousand times obliged to you for your ad
vice and now, as must leave Immediately,
want you to just have a care for my family
l shall feel better to leave them with some one.
Don't let them starve doctor. Just be kind
of guardian over them till get home again,
and if don't reward YOU, Heaven will,' and
shaking the good doctor warmly by the hand,
he stepped quickly out Of the office, and disap-
peared down the road.
IT'S said that "Hell is paved with good in
tentions," and there is much truth in the home
ly adage. 'Tis also said by Avons immortal
Bard, that /" There a Divinity that shapes our
ends, rough hew them how we will, and that
is all truth. Many times, when we would do
good, evil is present with US. The merest triaes
have changed the current Of most extraordinary
lives. No doubt man can do much toward
hewing cut for himself destiny, but circum-
stances, which he did not originate, and cannot
control, oftentimes do more.
John Howard left Goodman Office, strong in
his resolution to reform, fully determined to re-
gain his former position in society. But it was
ordained, by that mysterious Being, whose ways
are past finding out, that his plans were never
to have literal fulfllment.
The two villages on opposite shores of the
lake, were vastly dissimilar in their character
and location. While St. Aubln, the eastern
village, was built on a plain u hundred feet
above the level of the lake, and located at a
distance of three-quarters of mile from it,
Utopia, the western, was built to its very shores,
and almost on q Level wisnShe water. Down a
steep bank at the south of st. Aubin, through
which was graded the great mill hill, meander-
ed the beautiful river Klueo, on vhich was To-
Gated various mills and machinery for the man
ufacture Of lumber, shingles, shOe-pegs, cloth,
-four, and various other articles used in coun-
try community. 1t was the only water-power
of any extent in considerable region, and
drove quite thriving business in the manufac-
ture of the raw material of the hardy farmers,
who for miles around came with their rude con-
veyances over the rough country roads, or over
the placid waters of the lake, in log canoes, AND
other rude boats constructed for the purpose, tc
the-to them-great metropolis of manufacture
and sale. st. Aubin was, in short, thrifty
manufacturing village, and Utopia was in min
iature, commercial depot.
Below the falls In St. Aubin, the river wound
calm and peacefully, deep and turbid, so tha
navigation extended to the mills. From Good.
man s Office to the lake bridge, was distanc,
of something over mile, and for nearly hal
the distance the river ran parallel with the road
along low mucky marsh, and in close proxim
ity to it.
1t happened that at the same time that Johl
Howard walked over this great highway of th'
country, thinking of his loved ones at home
and revolving in his mind the best means of Sc
curing to himself and his family that boon Of
happiness which he once possessed, but whcI
he had so recklessly and foolishly lost, couple
of boatmen, in a large canoe, came glidin,
down the river at about an equal pace, and ii
easy speaking distance. The boat was bu
partially loaded--a few bags of flour thrown
carelessly in the stern, a small bundle Of rolls
large, covered wooden pail. and pile O
empty bags just forward of the ears.
As the great passenger-coach via, Bingham
vile had already passed, it occurred to Howarc
that if he could secure a passage down tn
lake, his cheapest and most expeditions wa
would be to take the Canada route
Pleasant morning, good friends wher
bound?" he asked.
All un bon Yankee. Good mornin' nor
sieur, good mornin' ; I'm very fine mornin'. :
much corn grow to-day. Good wedder for a
de grain grow Bon for boat to-day. By gar
no big wind come blow on the lake to-day
Fus rate time for go moulin What you ca
him, dat man who be on de moulin, darP II
be un sGcre rascale-hell sheet me like do de,
BY gar, me lick i'm, me pound i'm, me bul
i'm, me have un big scrape, no mistak ~
"Where bound, my good Frenchman," sol
Howard again, interruptiug him to hcilitat
business.
" What dat bound, eh 2"
Where are you going, mean2 Whie
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