The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-04-04
" I D 30 @;
Or, the Charcoal Burner Of ROuen.
A THRILLING SKETCH,

Not many miles from the city OF Rouen
in France, is located wild and somewhat
extensive forest. This wood is chiefly in
habited by charcoal burners; aud many
are the dark legends in which they figure
Of course the tales are most exaggerated
and in some cases have no foundation at
all. During the year 1873, however.
several travellers, whose way lay through
this forest, mysteriouSly disappeared. The
whole place was secured, and the inhabi.
tants vigorously examined. but no clue
was obtained, and they were dismissed.
For several month alters this, no more
travellers were MISSED, aud fually the
public excitement was afsyod. 1t is at
this time tha, the incidents related in this
sketch occurred.
1t was fine morning in early autumn
and the woods presented beautiful ap,
pearance. The birds were gaily singing.
and tie rays Of an afternoon sun, not warm
we're gliding the tree tops. In the very
heart Of the forest, stood one of the bur.
ners, He was specimen ofa man as far
as physical proportions went, fully six
feet in hight, and stout in proportion.
His broad shoulders might have contain
ed the strength Of Hercules. His head
was large and covered with shaggy
mas, Of hair, and his features were de-
cidedly repulsive. His eyes were small
and nearly covered with bushy eyebrows
He had altogether cruel and malevolen,
Appearances.
/ AS we introduce him to the reader, he
was leaning upon large axe. apparently
in listening position. The road ran by
the place where be was standing but he
could not see far along it, on account of 0
sudden turn little distance from him
The clatter of horses hoofs, however
could be plainly heard, and in few min
uies horse and rider come in sight. The
new conner was a small and active look
ing man. and from his dress was appar
emily well off. His eyes were unusually
keen and searching, and were bent upol
the charcoal burner in such manner tha
the latter completely quailed before him
|, IA fair day, my good man. said th'
horseman. in the easy manner ofone speak
ing to his inferior.
"Exct llent. Monsieur, for one of my
trade; love not the broiling suns of fsum
mer, not the bleak winds of winter"
"SInce you are SO nicely suited,
suppose you must be what so iev
ars III this world happy" ....
"You say truly, MonSieur-fsw udee'
are happy. There is no happiness with
out contentment."
9 "And are you not content?"
"At times l think am; but when
4 see the noblerhan riding by with his coacI
and four rolling id h'riGhes, with servant
10 obey his every wish, and I having t
toll hard for my daily bread, l can ne
" help thinking sometimes that God is ur
just"
"And do you never think Of appropri
ating. any Of these superduous tches?'
"What does Monsieur mean? tru'
no thoughts Of disobeying the laws {
God and man alike ever enter into m
mind"
'I meant nothing;it was merely 'n i'd
question. but did not stp to talk thu
but to ask the way to p. 1t is ge'
ting late, and l must be on the move"
IF Monsieur is in hurry, can d
rect him to P, in about half II
n time"
81 shall be much obliged TO you, m
friend"
"This lane begins very near my hom
which is about half mile further &
You had better stop there, as my wi
), can point it out TO you."
I'll will do SO. Here is a reward" Q,
claimed The hoIseman, offering him
he piece OF gold. The other drew back, al
Sf or refused to take it. alleging that he hi
+ done nothing TO deserve it. The hors
= man then put'spurs to his horse and rot
away, bend in the road soon hidir
D him from sight. Having rode on uu
l he imagined that The sound of the horse
er hooi could not be heard by the charco
ee burner, should the latter be listening,
az dismounted and silently retrAced his steE
10 He arrived at the place where he ri
left his friend, the charcoal burner, b
: the latter was not 10 be seen. The stra
ger FASTENED back to Ills horse and ]
Il Il mounted.
d; at is as / expected" he muttere
:. "this road makes large bend here, a,
by cutting across be can reach
q hut before me. care little. thoug
u as "forearmed." we shall see who
s, come out first. I comprehend Why
@ refused my gold piece--he considers'i.
I. his OWN, and thinks be mlrht as w