Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-02-16

not under any circumstances, nor Tor no consld-
GRAFTON, write to your mother, or any friends at
st. Aubin. Better not write at all to any one
l charge you as you value your life, to never
speak of this interview with me, nor to never
mention having seen such an individual, nor to
return home--when did you wish to return!
" In three years.
sit may be too soon-but possibly it will be
safe. Not inside of three years. Stay as
long as you can, and may God shield you. Re,
member your promise"
Saying which the old man almost immediate.
ly disappeared in the depths of the swamp.
For few moments Leon stood dumb with
wonder at this strange adventure, but being
unable to detect the least signs of suspicion, in
carefully reviewing every word and act of the
strange old man, finally concluded to start on
the long journey, and obey to the letter his in
strnctions.
1t is not my intention to follow him minutely
in his journey hither, but only 10 speak in brief
of one little incident that took place in New
York, which fortunately, though it did not pre-
vent him from going, deprived him of the com
forts of passenger passage, and drove him
to the necessity of shipping for the voyage.
During his stay in the city, he became &C.
quainted at his hotel with young gentleman
who was going to California in the same ship
with himself
| He was one Of the kindest and most amiable
individuals he had ever met, and seemed-so
different from all others that surrounded him
to take lively interest in all that pertainod to
his welfare.
He was somewhat acquainted with the means
of enjoyment in and about the city, and spared
no pains or expense to make Leon n's stay agree
able. Long rides and longer walks through the
most beautiful streets, and visiting one after
another the various places OF amusement, the
hours of day, and the hours of vening passed
very pleasantly in his society, and at his ex-
pense.
His name was Dudley Gilman, from the
country, he said, but had spent year in the
city, clerk in down town brokers' office.
Well, Leon" said Dudley, the last morn
ing but one before the day of sailing, " what
is the programme for to day! We have sue
ceeded very well SO far, at any rate, as far as
am concerned, and if we can only manage to
get to day off, tomorrow we start. We must
do something to pass the time"
Beggars shouldn't be chOoSers," replied
Leon, " anything you wish. But fear am
trespassing quite too much on your kindness and
liberality."
Pooh Did we go to Hoboken the other
day! I remember speaking about it," said
Dudley. carelessly, i" but don recollect wheth-
er we went or not"
Hoboken-I believe not"
1t is a beautiful place, suppose we go over
| can think of nothing better
As you like
They walked down Broadway to the Battery
and from thence, past the everlasting crowd of
shipping, to the landing of the Hoboken ferry
boats, and atepping aboard, landed in little
while on the opposite shore.
Icon enjoyed the trip exceedingly. For some
time they walked through the broad streets, and
at length to quite retired place-almost out
of sight of the busy world around them.
They were walking in this out-of. the-way To-
calty when they met third person, carrying q
ball in his hand, which he very readily opened
and discovered cavity inside. He opened and
shut it several times, until the process was ap-
parently evident to Dudley and Leon, and then
proposed to bet two to one, five hundred dollars
against two hundred and fifty, that Dudley
couldn't open it.
Done, said Dudley.
Cup with the money"
i" Here it is, said Dudley, presenting check
Cd the Broadway Bank.
I" The money, say.
Very we'll, you shall not dodge on that
ground Leon lend me the money and take the
check"
g Certainly, " said Leon who felt too happy
to repay in SO slight measure the debt of glat
itude he owed him.
The money was counted out, and the check
taken instead,
Then the money was planked, and the trial
commenced.
But sure as he thought himself his ingenuity
failed to discover the secret, and the money was
lost.
+" Good God " said Dudley, +" have | bee