The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1864-06-03
Mistellaneons.
THE TWO TRAVELLERS.

Some years ago two gentlemen and la
dy had taken their places in the diligence
from Paris to Havre. One of the gentle
men, NJ. Mallaquet, merchant of the cap
ital, as INDECENT in mind as in body, slept
profoundly from the commencement; the
other M. Lussac, Il com merclal traveller, a
person of a very animated character, did
not allow his tongue to rest single in
slant. Among other things which he
mentioned, be let it escape that he had on
him fifteen thousand francs in bank bills,
and that the greater part of the sum was
intended for the purchase of colonial pro-
auctions, and the rest as present for his
wife.
NJ. Mallaquet, on the contrary, during
the rare intervals when he was sufficiently
awake to speak, said simply that he was
going to Havre.
The diligence arrived at Pontoise,
where the horses were changed. AS the
road from that point ascends, the conduc-
tor proposed to the travellers that they
should walk up the hill. Lussac embraced
the proposal with pleasure, and Mallaquet
from politeness, affected to be no less de-
lighted, though in fact, he had no desire
to put bis legs in movement.
They both started up the hill, then, and
the diligence followed them.
Soon darkness came on. But the trav.
elers continued to hear the diligence roll
ing behind them. At the end of some
time they both remarked that they had
wandered from the right road. They
wished to return thereto, but the sound of
the wheels no longer reached them. The
indolent Mallaquet grew afraid. Nut
tering a few oaths, he began to march at
a more rapid rate, and this sudden change
gave birth in the soul of NJ Lussac to
sombre presentiment. Remembering his
imprudent avowal about the fifteen thous-
and francs which lie had with him, the
most lugubrious ideas agltated hi. mind.
He asked himself i'll terror whether this
suspicious companion had not plotted with
the conductor to rob him in some solitary
place. Perhaps, be also thought, another
accomplish might be lurking 10 sonie spot
near, ready to pounce Oh him. In truth,
poor Lussac deemed himself lost man ;
he determined, therefore, to be on his
guard. -.
With regard to Mal'aquet, when he saw
Lussac become suddenly silent, he at once
conceived similar suspicious to those of his
con panion. He had not it is true, like
Lusssc, been guilty Of an indiscretion en-
dahgering his own interests, but bis peck
cts we're filled with important papers, and
the avowal Of his companion appeared to
him now only an adroit trick to inspire
bin with confidence. Keeping at as great
distance as possible from each other, the
two travellers watched each others move.
mcnts. AT last, marsh coming in the
way forced item into imme diate contact
on narrow path. Their alarm aud dis.
trust went on increasing. Mallaquet rails.
ed bis hand to wipe his brow, ba,bed with
perspration. Lussac then stopped, think
ing that he saw in his compauion's hand
au instrument of murder. However, to
brace his courage little, he likewise rails
ed his hand to take pinch Of snuff
Mallaquet, seeing this, stopped down to
he ground to escape the expected pistol
shot.
After some time passed in the anguish
of these mutual suspicious, Lussac deter
mined to give utterance to bis dread iu
words.
1--WE must" said be, "bc thoroughly on
our guard here. 1t Is the very demon
himself who has thrown us thus on the
high road in the middle of the plight
Fortunately If we meet With any misfor-
tune or attack there is notl'ing to Le found
III Inc but empty I"cke's.'