Litchfield enquirer., 1861-02-21

A U lii.u.....uus -. -. -. 1 vIDOCQ OR, THE CHARCOAL BAN
 NER OF ROUEN. 4
 Not many miles from the city of Reuen, is lo 'cated a wild and somewhat extensive forest The wood is chiefly inhabited by charcoal burn CTS; and many are the dark legends in whic] they figure Of course the tales are mostly exa gerated, and in some cases have no foundation at all. During the year 183- however, sseyera travellers, whose. way lay through this forest mysteriously disappeared. The whole place wa secured, and it's inhabitants vigorously examined but no clue was obtained; and they were dis missed. For several months after this. no nor, travellers were missed, and finally the public ex citement was allayed- It is at this time that th, incidents related in this sketch occurred. 7 F ItWas fine morning in early autumn and tn, woods presented a beautiful appearance. Tn, birds were gaily singing. and the rays of an af ternoon sun not too warm, were gliding the tree tops. In thevery heart of4the forest, surrounded by the heaps of smoking earth, stood one O these burners. He was splendid specimen of { man. as far as physical proportions went full, SIX feet ln height, and stout in proportion. Hi broad shoulders might have contained the strength of a Hercules. His head was large aue covered with shaggy mass of hair, and his fea lures were decidedly repulsive. His eyes were small and nearly covered with bushy eyebrows He had altogether crued and maleyelent ap Dearance.
 As we introduce him to the reader he was leaning upon a large axe, apparently in listen Ing attitude The road ran by a place where he was standing, but he could not see far along it on account of sudden turn little distance from him. The chatter of horses loofs, howey CT, could be plainly heard, and in few minutes horse and rider came into sight The new come, was small and active locking man, and from his aSess. was apparently well off His eyes were unusually keen and searching, and were bent up. on the charcoal burner in such manner that the latter completely quailed before hin..
 A fair day. my good man. said the horse man, Tn the easy manner of one speaking to ap inferior.
 Excellent, Monsieur for one of my trade I love not the broiling suns of summer, nor the bleak winds of winter -la.
 Since you are 50 nicely suited, suppose you must be what so few are in this world-happy.'
 OH say truly. Monsieur,-few, few, indeed are happy. There IS no happiness without con tentment'
 And are you not content 2
 At times think am; but when see the nobleman riding by in his coach and four rolling ln riches, with servants to obey his every wish and having to toll hard for my daily bread, cannot help thinking that God is sometimes un. just .r
 And do you never think of appropriating any of these super1uous riche. ?
 What does Monsieur mean? I trust no thoughts of disobeying the laws of God and man alike. ever enter into my mnd'
 meant nothing; it was merely an idle ques tIon but did not stop to talk thus, but to ask the way to l'--. It is getting late and must be on the move
 If Monsieur is in hurry, can direct him to F--, in about half the time
 l shall be much obliged to you, my friend
 ne lane beglns very near my home which is about half mile further on. You had better stop there, as my wife can point it out to you
 will do so. Here is a reward exclaimed the horseman, offering him a piece of gold. The other drew back, and refused to take it, alleging that he had done nothing to deserve it. The horSenian then put spurs to his horse and rode away, bend in the road soon hiding him from sight Having rode on. until he mapined that the sound of his horses hoefs could not be heard by the charcoal burner, should the latter be lis tenng, he d!smounted and silently retraced his steps. He arrived at the place where he had left his friend. the charcoal burner, but the latter was not to be seen. The stranger hasteaed back to his horse and remounted.
 1t is as l expected, he mattered This road makes large bend here, and by cutting across he can reach his hut before me. I care little though forc-armed.' We shall see who'll come out first. comprehend why he refused my gold piece, he considers it as his own, and thinks he on, and finish this business before nightfall.'
 So saying, he put spurs to his horse and rode. Ten minutes sharp riding brought the charcoal burners cabin in view. As he first caught sight of it he thought hedetected man 8 face pressed against one of the windows. Of this, however he could not be certain, as the face if such it was instantly disappeared. At the sound of his horses hoofs an old woman appeared in the doorway, and gazing curiously at him, waited until he rode up. The horsenlan could not help thinking that the woman was a most fitting hcompanien for her husband The expression of her countenance was even more villainous The stranger, however, did not stop to criticise her appearance, but courteously saluted her saying T believe, madam, you are the wife of the charcoal burner, whom met on the road N The woman replied in the affirmative
 'Then l Twill tell you that am bound for P- which wish to reach before night-fall. He told me of 8 lane which was much shorter than the regular road, which he said you could point out to me- Certainly! if this is all Monsieur wishes, he is easily satisfied. You may see a little way up ! that large tree which towers above the rest Just beyond that large rock, and the lane enters the road on the other side of it. And as it is very narrow and nearly grown up with bushes you would hardly notice it. But with these di rections you can hardly fail .--.,..re f.:,, s Never you fear; shall not miss the road.'
 i' Is that all Monsieur wishes?' r.- ''.'l5' az Il believe so; but stop minute I offered your husband piece of gold, but he refused to l take it. Perhaps you may be more sensible The old woman greedily took the proffered coin. saying: 'si4s4q t'''-=! 5sss s..
 Pierre is too sensitive. We might botl starve before he would take cent
 Isee you differ from him a little,' returned the horseman, laughing. He then put spurs tc his horse, and rode on. In a, few minutes he reached the large rock alluded to, and could ther perceive the entrance to narrow lane, artfully concealed by bushes. He soon made his waJ through them, and when once into the lane found it little wilder than he expected. It al so became free of bushes as he proceeded He stopped Q moment to examine the priming o his pistols, muttering:h tag1 s2f .ssi. 5atzp3
 ," My worthy friends are rather sharp. They do not. do their numbering in the open road where spilled blood might lead to their detection but inveigle the unfortunate traveller into tht dark lane, where he may be safely put out of tht way and none be the wiser of it. At any rate am fully prepared for them, and they will no put me out of the way without a struggle is I Having seen that his arms were ready for use he rode slowly forward, keeping careful watcl on each side of the road, that he naight not bi L T.