The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1863-03-24
TnE nov mERoEs.
ssrcu ov SASSY wvasas lws

AT On Uauft4 " tAS hN"tf " "psA
Slater. Ills hui Vas upon the south
err bank of the sinram and save y
small patel Of some dozen acres Iha,
had bern cleared BY his own axe, he
was sl,ai up by dense forests. Slater
had ,Wo children at home with him
two san., Philip and Daniel. the for.
mef fourteen and lhe latter t~else
yvaFs gf agr. The elder children had
gone SOUTH Ills wife aas with him,
but she had bcen for several years an
.lFbos, helpless cripple from the effect
Of severe rheumatism.
IL was early in the spring. and the
old hunter had just returned from
Columbia, where he had been 10 car
~ the produce of the winier'- labor,
which consisted mostly OF iurs. lie
had received quite sum OF money,
aud lad brought il home with him.
The old man bad several years been
accumnlalins money, for civilization
was gradually approaching him, aud
he meant that his children should
start on fair terms with the world.
One evening, just a. the family
were sitting down 10 the frugal sup
pr. they were attracted by Sudden
hewlihg Of the dogs and as Slater
went to the door TO see what was the
matter. he saw three men approach
ing his hut.
H. quickly qaieed tie dogs and
the strangers approached lh- dor
They KID for something 20 cat. and
also for lodging. for the night. John
Slater was nol the man tn refuse a re-
quest ot thai kind. and he lnyit,d the
strangers in. They set their rifles
behind he door. un.lung their packs,
and room was mad. fpr them ut the
supper able. They reprcSeutrd lhom-
selves as trayell,-rs bound further
West, intending TO cross the Ali:sissip-
pi in search OF settlement
Tie ntw comcrs were far from
being Agreeable or prrpo,sessin5 in
their looks; but Sla er took no noli.c
Of the circumstance, for he was not onc
20 doubt any man. The bo,s. how
ever, did not like their appearance at
all, and quick glances which lhty gave
eaCii other told their feelings. The
ltuuier's wife was mol nj the table, but
.he sat IN her great ea,y chair by the
iite.
Slater entered into conversation
with the guests; but they were not
very free, ahd after while the talk
laindled 10 occasional questions -
Philip, the elder Of the two, noticed
that the men cast uneasy g anc about
tie room. and he watch, d them mar
rowly. His fears had become exeit-
I'd and be- could not rest. He knew
bat his father bad large sum Of
money in the house, and his first
thought was that these men we're for
he purpose OF robbery.
After the supper was over, The boys
quickly cleared off the table. and then
hey wen, out OF doors. II had be-
come dark, or rather the night had
tirly set in, for there was = bright
noon. lwo.lhirds full, shining down
upon The forest.
Daniel" said Philip in a loN
whisper. at the samc Time casting a
ook over lis shoulder. what d. you
hink Of these ere men Z"
aim afraid they're bad ones" re-
urnrd the younger by.
so am |. | believe they mean to
teal fathers money. Didn't you no.
ice how they look,d around"
yes"
So did /. II We should tell fathrr
shal W. think. he would only laugh
Il us and tell us we uere perfect
But we can watch them
YES. wc viii ealeh 'rn. bu da
10, lct them know H.
The boys held som further cons |.
a,lun. and lien goi z 70 ihe dog.
,ouse. they sci { smsll j y back
O that he |, and. might st.ting f.uh
ihs } were wasipi. II ihs, had dr.
ifsd 3, pea aifh fheiI fatlser about