Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-06-30

tating. awe know nothing of the youths char
acter."
"That open countenonce," replied his wife, in
the same hushcd voice, yet earnestlyj "this in
noceit Sleep"
While these whispers were passing, the sleep
ers heart did not throb, nor his breath become
agitated, nor his features bctray the least token
of interest. Yet Fortune was bending over
him, Just ready to let fall burthen of gold.-
The old merchant had lost his only son, and
had no heir to his wealth, except distant rela-
tive with whose conduct he was dissatisfied
In such case, people sometimes do stranger
things than to act tne magician, and awaken
young man to spendor, who fell asleep in pow
erty.
"Sball we not wake him ?" repeated the lady,
persuasively.
"rhe coach is ready sir" said the servant be-
hind.
The old couple started, reddened and hurried
away, mutually wondering that they should ever
have dreamed of doing anything so ridiculous.
The merchant threw himself back in the car
riage, and occupied his mind with the plan of a
magnificent asylum for unfortunate men OF
business. Meanwhile, David Swan enjoyed his
nap.
The carriage could not have gone above a
mile or two, when a pretty young girl came
along with tripping pace, which showed pre-
cisely how her little heart was dancing in her
bosom. She turned aside into the shelter Of
the maple trees, and there found young man
asleep by the spring. Blushing as red as any
rose, that she should have intruded into gem
teman's bed-chamber, she was about TO make
her escape on tiptoe. But there was peril near
the sleeper A monster of a bee had been
wandering overhead zz-buzz-buzz-now
among the leaves, now flashing through the
stripes of sunshine, and now lost in the dark
shade, till finally he appeared to be settling on
the eyelid of David Swan. The sting of a bee
is sometimes deadly. AS free-hearted as she
was innocent, the girl attacked the intruder
with her handkerchief, brushed him soundly,
drove him from beneath the maple shade. How
sweet picture This good deed accomplished
with quickened breath and deeper blush, she
stole glance at the youthful stranger, for whom
she had been battling with dragon in the air.
He is handsome, thought she, and blushed
redder yet.
How could it be that no dream of bliss grew
so strong within him, that shattered by its very
strength, it should part asunder, and allow him
to perceive the girl among its phantoms. Why,
at least, did no smile of welcome brighten upon
his face? She was come, the maid whose soul,
according to the old and beautiful idea, had
been severed from his own, and whom in all his
vague but passionate DESIRES he yearned to
meet. Her only could he love with perfect
love-hm only could she receive into the depths
of her heart-and now her image was family
blushing in the fountain by his side; should it
pass away, its happy lustre would never gleam
upon his life again.
"How sound he sleepsl" murmured the girl.
She departed, but cid not trip along the road
so lightly as when she came.
Now this girls father was thriving country
merchant in the neighborhood, and happened
at that identical time, to be looking out for just
such young man as David Swan. Had David
formed wayside acquaintance with the daugh-
ter, he would have become the fathers clerk,
and all else in natural succession. So here
assi had gooa best el fortunes
against him; and he knew nothing of the mat.
ter.
The girl was hardly out of sight when two
men turned aside beneath the maple shade
Both had dark faces, set off by cloth caps, which
were driven down aslant over their brows.-
Their dresses were shabby, yet had certain
smartness. These were couple of rascals
who got their living by whatever the evil one
sent them, and now, in the interim of other bust
ness, had staked the joint profits of their next
piece of yillainy on game of cards, which was
to have been decided here under the trees But
finding David asleep by the spring one of the
rogues whispered to his felow-"Hist see thai
bundle under his head
The other villain nodded, winked and leered
"rll bet you horn of brandy" said the first
''that the chap has either pocket-book. or {
snug little hoard Of small change, slowed away
amongst his shirts. And if not there, we shall
find it in his pantaloons' pocket.
"But how if he wakes?" said the other.
His companion thrust aside his waistcoat
pointed to the handle of dirk and nodded.
$50 be it !" muttered the second villain.
They approached the unconscious David, ant
while one pointed his dagger towards his heart
the other began to search the bundle beneath
his head. Their two faces, grim, wrinkled, and
ghastly with guilt and fear, bent over their vic
tim, looking horribly enough to be mistaken fol
fends, should he suddenly awake. Nay, hat
the villains glanced aside into the spring, ever
they would hardly have known themselves al
reflected there. But David Swan had nevel
known a more tranquil aspect, even when aseel
on his mothers breast.
81 must take away the bundle" whispered
one.
"lf he stirs, I'll strike" muttered the other.
But at this moment dog, scenting along
the ground, came in beneath the maple trees
and gazed alternately at each of these wicked
men, and then at the quiet sleeper. He theI
Tapped out of the fountain.
"Pshaw !" said one villain 1--WE can do moth
ing now. The dogs master must be close be
hind"
The man with the dagger thrust back til,
weapon into his bosom, and drew forth pock
ct pistol, but not of that kind which kills by
single discharge. 1t was flask of liquor, witt
a block-tin tumbler screwed upon the mouth
Each drank a comfortable dram, and left tn
spot with so many jests, and such laughter a
their unaccomplished wickedness, that the
might be said to have gone on their way rejoic
} ing. In few hours they had forgotten tn
whole affair, nor once imagined that the record
, ing angel had written down the crime of mur
der against their souls in letters as durable a
eternity. AS for David Swan, he still slep
quietly, neither conscious of the shadow O
death when it hung over him, nor of the glor
: of renewed life, when that shadow was with
drawn.
He slept, but no longer so quietly as at first
An hours repose had snatched from his elasti
frame the weariness with which so many hour:
| toll had burthened it. Now he stirred-no,
t moved his lips without a sound-now talked il
an inward tone to the MONDAY spectres of hi
, dream. But noise of wheels came rattin
t louder and louder along the road, until it dashe
through the dspersing mist of Dayid's slumbei