, 1863-02-12
The chareoal.Rurne OF Rouen.


many are the dark legends in which they figure
OF course the tales are exaggerated, and in most
cases have no foundation ct all.
During the year 1888, however, several travel
ers whose way lay through this forest mysteriousy
disappeared. Tie whole place was secured, and
the inhabitants vigorously examined, but no clue
wag obtained, and they were dismissed. For sew
eral months after this no travellers were missed,
and finally the public excitement was aIlayed Il
Is at this time that the incidents related In this
sketch occurred.
It was o fne morning in early autumn, and the
woods presented o beautiful appearance. The
birds were gaiy singing and the rays Of an after
noon sun were gliding the tree tops. In the very
heart Of the forest surrounded BY heaps Of smok-
ing earth, stood one Of those burners. He was
splendid specimen Of man, so far a. physical pro
portions are concerned fully siK feet In hight, and
stout In proportion. His broad shoulders might
have contained the strength Of Hercules. His
head was large, and covered with shaggy mass Of
hair, and his features were decidedly Fepulsive.
His eyes were small and nearly covered with bushy
eyebrows. He had, altogether, acruel and malev-
olent appearance
As We introduce him to the reader, he was lean
ing upon large axe, apparently in listening po-
sition. The road ran BY the place where he was
standing, but he could not See far along Il on 90
count Of sudden turn little distance IRON him.
The chatter Of horses hoof, however, could be
plainly heard, and in few minutes horse and rider
came In sight The new conner was Q small and
ActiVelOoking man, and, from his dress, appeared
to be Q gentleman well oG. His eyes were unu-
sually keen and searching, and were bent upon the
charcoalburner in such manner that the latter
quailed under them.
A fair day, my good man." said the horseman,
In the easy manner Of one speaking to an interior.
Excellent, Monsieur, for one Of my trade.
love not the boiling suns Of summer, nor yet the
bleak winds Of winter"
"Since you are % nicely suited, suppose you
are what so few ere in this worid-happy."
"You say truly, Monsieur; few, few indeed are
truly happy. There is no happiness without con-
tentment."
"And are you not eoutented?"
AT times think am; but when I see the
nobleman riding BY in his coach and four, rolling
in riches, with servants to obey his every wish, and
have TO toll hard for my daily bread, cannot
help thinking that God is sometimes unjust"
"And do you never think Of appEOpGiating any
Of these superAuOus riches to yOIrselff'
"WhAt does Monsieur meant trust that no
thought Of disobeying alike The laws Of God and
man ever enter into my mind"
IL mean nothing; It was merely an idle ques-
ton. But did not stop to talk thus, but to ask
the way to p. 1t is getting late. and must be
on the move" -.
"If Monsieur Is in hurry. l can direct him to
P. in about half the time"
~ shall be much obliged TO you, my friend"
This lane begins very near my home, which Is
about half mile furtheron. You had better stop
there, as my wife can point Il out to you"
IL will do 90. Here Is Q reward" Aid the
hOrseman, offering him piece Of gold.
The other drew back and refused TO take Il, aleg-
ing he had done nothing to deserve It. The horse
man then put spurs TO his horse and rode away, .
bend in the rood soon hiding him from sight HaN-
ing ridden on until be- imagined that bis horses
hOOls could not be head BY the charcoAlburner,
should the latter be listening, be dsmounted and
silently retraced bis steps. Hearrved ct the place
where he had LEFT his friend, the ehArcoAlb1mer,
but the latter was not 70 be seen. The stranger
hastened back to his horse and remOunted.
"It Is as expected" he muttered. "This road
makes large bend here, and By cutting across be
can reach his hut before me- Icare little, though,
as am f0reaFmed. We shall sec who'll come out
first. Icomprehend why be refused my gold piece
he considers it a. his own, and he thinks be may
- well take ell together; but must hurry on and
6nish this business before nightfAll"
SOsAying, be put spurs to bis horse and rode %.
Ten minutes sharp riding brought The charcoal
burners hut In view. As be first caught sight Of
Il, be thought be detected mans face pressed
could not be certain; rs the face, Il such II was,
instantly disappeared. At the sound Of his horses
hoofs, an old woman appeared In the doorway, and,
gazing curiously Of him, waited till be rude up.
The horseman could not help thinking that the
woman was most fitting companion for the man.
The expression Of her eountenancewas even more
villainous The stranger, however, did not stop
to critcise her appearance, but courteousy sauted
her, saying;
II believe. madam, that you ere the wife Of the
Charcoal-bIrner whom l met up the road"
The woman replied in the affirmative.
"Then will tell you that am bound for p,
which wish TO reach before nightfAlL He told
me Of lane which was much shorter than the
regular road, which, be said, you could point out
TO me-" -s
"Certainly. II this Is al Monsieur wishes, he
is easily satisfied. You may See, . 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 II. As II Is very narrow
and grown up with bushes, you would hardly no
tice L. But with these directions you can hardly
hil"
"Never you fear; I shall not miss the road"
ais that all Monsieur wishesl"
"Ibelieveso; but stop minute. IodeFed your
husband piece Of gold, but be refused TO take IT,
Perhaps you will be more sensible"
The old woman greedily took the Prohered coin,
saying:
"Pierre is too sensitive. Wemight both starve
before he would take cent" .-..
al Gee you differ from him little," replied the
hOrseman, laughing. He then put spurs to bis
horse and rode on. In few minutes he reached
the large rock alluded TO- and could then perceive
the entrance 10 q narrow lane, artfdlly concealed
by bushes. He soon made his way through them,
and, when once In the lane, found II little wider
than be expected. Il also seemed free from bushes
as he prOceeded He stopped moment TO exam
inc the printing Of his pistol, muttering:
my worthy friends are rather sharp. They'd
not do their numbering In the open road, where
spilled blood might lead to their detection, bat