Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-03
Qdortester 4ailp Spp.
THE sARDINIAN PEDDLER,

thoroughly aroused, took his seat near him.
ana listened with such undisguised interest as
TO cause the peddler to remark him closely
lie frankly answered all the questions of Lou.
Is, as to his intended route, and the period of
HIS return, and, apparently well pleased with
each other, they separated with an express de-
sire to meet again. Louis went home on that
night with a feeling OF desperation Through
tile open door OF the kitchen where he had
sat, lie had seen unequvocal demonstrations
OF love on the part OF young Lanny toward
Leona and as unequivocal encouragement on
the part Of her father, who was present por-
ton OF the evening. Something must be done
Leona should be his if he rsked life itself TO
win her.
but 10 use in that, he said bitterly. "for
courage and intellect, and all that she or prize
IS nothing without money. BY heaven! AL
Der thinks more Of that stupid fellow with his
purse than he would OF the angel Gabriel. |
would that my fathers profession were open to
me now would carry Leona off tonight
ana people would admire it in soldier-but
were L TO do it now Didn't envy the ped.
der tonight, when he opened his well filled
purse, and showed the gold and silver wish
he would loan it to me. TO dazzle Alber's eves
with
While Louis spoke thought came into his
head which he in vain endeavored to repel.
Every time he looked at the image which it
brought up, it grew less frightful than at first,
ana lie accompanying sentiment dwindled from
crime TO mere business transaction which
though out OF the common course, could be
rectfed at future time. In short, tie good
ana exemplary Louis, whose whole life before
TINS had been from any thought of doing evil,
was now planning to get the peddler's money
-peacablyilt G could, forcibly if he must 1t
is said that Satan, when he makes his first
triumph over the good, leaves but little space
between the planning and the executing the
deed to which he tempts. In Louis's case he
made no exception to the genera! rule, for the
next morning he was upon the track of the
peddler, as he had described his intended route
lie soon became sensible, however, that the
peddler had changed his purpose Of coming
this way, or that he had not set out so early
as he proposed, for there were no traces of
him in the damp forest, through which he
must have passed, his original design. Re-
tracing his steps, he came back TO cavern
which he had accidentally noticed as he pass.
ed. 1t was now dusk OF the evening, but not
too dark for him to perceive that around the
Rputh of the cave, there were marks of a
Rfp's boot. Louis crept cautiously in, and
sre sat the peddler, his whole figure lighted
mp strongly by a blazing fire, comfortable
supper on a rock by his side, and his happy
face beamlng as ii had done by the farmers
fireside. Louis advanced towards him and
babe him good evening.
An, my friend Of the hostelrie," said the
peddler. "What chance brings you to this
wild place, that seems fit only for owls and
pedders ?'
Il came purposely to see you." answered
Louis.
VERY good, am to have party then in
this castle, and you see the board is laid Tor
supper. Sit down and partake with me-"
Not until / know whether | shall hill
or not"
The peddlers face expressed surprise but
no alarm. He evidently trusted to the good
face Of the young man more than his threaten
ing words.
Listen said Louis, and he stated his
whUle etory Proaisay as it was in connection
with Leona and the impossibility OF
ing the sum the cupidity Of Alder demanded.
"Now," he continued, it is at YOU option, TO
lend me the two hundred crowns, and trust to
my repaying you, or run the risk OF my taking
it torcibly by dispatchng you. l have no time
Tor hesitation, for already they may be forcing
her TO marry Lanuy. Here-l swear to you
that ! will relay you, but you may have to
wait some time tor me TO accumulate It,.
Of course the peddler chose TO loan the
money, and after executing promise OF secre-
cy from him in the most friendly manner, he
stayed through the night, and they parted i'll
tie morning, each pursuing their own way.
Before parting, Louis gave him a silver button
from his sleeve. 1t was his fathers and he
valued it highly.
whenever l can repay you, he said, II
will! advertise This button as lost, and offer Two
hundred crowns for its restoration. You will
receive what owe you, apparently as the re-
ward. Do you understand? There is to be
no talk whatever OF the loan"
With the money SO strangely obtained,
Louis renewed his application to ALDER, who
was surprised to find he was now rich enough
to claim his bride. They were married in the
course of the following week, and the house,
SO long desolate, seemed once more the abode
OF peace and cheeriuness. say seemed
Tor in the breast OF Louis there was canker
that destroyed half his happiness. True, he
lad not actually intended to commit a crime
and he had done no harm that he did not mean
to remedy. But conscience is not satisfied
with these bubbles, and .he longed to make
the actual restitution he had promised.
Next year the peddler came again, and
Louis happening to meet him, insisted on his
going directly to his house, where Leona, who
remembered him, made him welcome. Two
or three years passed away, each marked by
the annual visit OF the peddler, and the earnest
invitation of the Rayners TO take up his abode
at their house. The fourth year, Leonas
father had paid the debt OF nature, and Louis
anxiously awaited the arrival OF his creditor.
He had removed from his own cottage to the
farm house, and was now comparatively rich
man. From motives OF pride he had never ia
ken tile offered portion of Alber's estate, and
the farmer was too avaricious TO press it upon
him. But now he came in possession of more
than he could have believed ALDER owned
1t was just at the cleaning OF a snowy win
ter day, when Louis, who was abroad on some
errand, saw the peddler cross the road below
him. He shouted to him to come up the hill.
They entered together, and sat down to the
cheerful evening meal with Le0na and her
eldest child. The other two were safe in bed.
After supper Louis said to his visitor:-
81 have lost button like this one on my
sleeve would give Two hundred crowns to
find it,"
"And l." said the peddler, "have one like it.
But will not take your money, for 1t gives
me pleasure to restore the button"
Leona looked up surprised
"Send little Sophia TO bed, said Louis to
his wife, 81 wish to speak to YOU"
After the child was gone, Louis said to his
wife -
Darling, there is but one thing in which
ever deceived you, from the first hour of ouI
acquaintance until now and that regards the
debt which / owe my friend here. tits to him
alone we are indebted for being together Hac
it not been for him you would have been the
wife Of Auguste l.anny."
"Heaven Forbid"
"Alost assuredy; your father had it al
planned, when l appeared before him so unex
pectediy. with tn two hundred crowns he de
minded"