The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-03-01
Gfneral Mistellanu.
NidOcq; or the Charcoal Burner OF Rouen,
A THRILLING SKETCH.

Not many miles from the city of Rouen in
France, is located a wild and somewhat ex-
tensive forest. This wood is chiefly inhabit-
ed by charcoal burners and many are the
dark legends in which they figure. OF
course the tales are mostly exaggerated, and
in some cases have no foundation at all
During the year 49,, however. several
travellers, whose way lay through this forest,
mysterious.y disappeared. The whole place
was secured, and the people vigorously ex-
amined, but no clue was obtained, and they
were dismissed. For several months after
this no more travellers were missed and final
-. 49, >..>:e>.n..t WAS aiiayed. 1t is at this
time that the incidents related in this Sketch
occurred.
1t was fine morning in early autumn, and
the woods presented beautiful appearance.
The birds were galy singing, and the rays of
an afternoon sun not too warm, were gliding
the tree tops. In the very heart of the for
est, surrounded by the heaps of smoking
earth. stood one of these burners. He was
splendid specimen of Il man. as far as phys
lcal proportions went fully six feet in height,
and stout in proportion. His broad shoul-
ders might have contained the strength of a
Hercules. His head was large and covered
with shaggy mass OF hair, and his features
were decidedly repulsiye. His eyes were
small and nearly covered with bushy eye
brows. He had altogether cruel and ma
nevolent appearance.
As we introduce him to the reader he was
leaning upon large axe, apparently in lis
tening position. The read ran by the place
where he was standing, but he could not see
far along it, on account of sudden turn u
little distance from him. The cat,er of a
heard, and III few minutes horse and rider
came into sight. The new conner was Il small
and active looking man, and from his Gre>s
was apparently a gentleman well off. His
eyes were unusually keen and searching, ard
were bent upon the charcoal burr er in such
manner that the latter completely quailtd be
fore him.
a fair day, my good man. said the horse
man, i'll the easy manner of one speaking to
his inferior.
Excellent, Monsieur. for one of trade
love not the broiing suns Of summer, nor the
bleak winds OF winter
'Sirce YOU are SO nicely suited. suppose
YOU must BE- what so few are in this wol o.
happy
You say truly. Monsieur-icw, few. indeed.
are truly happy. There is no happ!ness with
out contentmtnt.'
And are YOU not content >
AT times think | am !; but when | see
the nob!eman riding in his coach and four,
r,l, ,r.l J.. l..
every wish, and having to toll hard for ny
daily bread, cannot help thinking that God
is sometimes UNJUST
And do you ever think Of approprlatins
anv of these >uperiiuous riches ::
What does Monsieur mean trust 10
thoughts Of di>obcying the laws of God and
man alike, ever enter INTO my mird.
i meant nothing. it was merely an idle
question but | did not stop to talk thu>.hut
to ask the way to p. 1t is getting late
and | must Ge on the move.
If Monsieur is in hurry. can direct him
to p, in about half the time
i shall be very much obliged to you, MY
I friend
The lane begins very rear my house
which is about half a ml.e farther Oh. YOU
had better stop there as my wife can point il
out to You
i will do so. Here is reward said the
horseman, Offering him piece of gold. The
other drew back, and refused to take ii, al
leging that he had done nothing to dcserv.
it. The horseman then put spurs to his
horse, bend in the road soon hiding him
from sight. Having rode on until he mag
1 [ 4 l. /
not be heard by the charcoal burner, should
tie latter be listening, he dismounted and
slowly letraced his steps. lie arrived at the
place where he had left his friend. tie char
coal burner, but the latter WAS not to be seen
The stranger FASTENED back to his horse and
remounted.
1T is as | expected he mut,ered. This
road makes large bend here. and by cut
ting across he can reach his hut before NE.
am forearmed Weshall see who shall com,
ou, first. comprehend why he refused my
gold piece, he considers it his own, and thinks
he may as well take it altogether: but mus;
hurry on, and finish this business bctor,
nightfall.'
So saying, he put spurs to his horse and
rode. Ten minutes fast riding brought :ht
charcoal burners house in view. AS he first
caught sight of it, he thought he detected /;
mans face pressed against one OF the VIII
dows. OF this, however, he could not be
certain, as the face, if such it was, instantly
disappeared. At the sound Of his horse,
hoofs, an old woman appeared in the door
way, and gazing curiousIy at him, waited I'll
he rode up. The hOrSeman could not hell
thinking that the woman was most fitting
companion for her husband The expression
of her cOuutenance was even more vll.alnOus
The stranger, however, did not stop to critl
cize her appearance, but courteously salu:eC
her, saying:
i believe, madam, that you are the wifi
CT a charcoal burner, whom just met up tn,
; road
The woman replied in the affirmative.
! Then will tell you that am bound 70
p, hich wish to reach before nj ghtfal
l He told me OF lane which was much short
er than the regular road, which he said 70,
could point out to me-
Certainly. If this is all Monsieur wishes
. he is easily satisfied. You may see, littl
way up, that large tree which towers abov
!, the rest. Just beyond is large rock, an
the lane enters the road on the other side Of
it. AS 1t is very narrow and nearly grow
up with bushes you would hardly notice it,
: But with these directions you can hardl
fail
Never you fear. shall not miss tn
e road
is that all Monsieur wishes y
4 believe so but stop minute. otfe
: ed your husband piece Of gold, but he IT
= fused to take it. Perhaps YOU may be MOI
o sensible
:, The old woman greedily took the prodere
;. com, saying