The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-09-14
YIDOCQ
THE CHARCOAL BURNER OF RoUEN

in France, is located a wild and somewhat
extensive forest This wood is principally
| inhabited by charcoal burners and many,
many are the dark legends in which they
/ figure. Of course the tales are most exag.
geraied, aud, in most cases, have no foun
| daifon at all.
During the year lS3-, however several
travellers, whose way lay through this for
est, mysieriously disappeared The whole
place was secured, and tbs inhabitants :ig-
orousiy examined, but no clue was obtains
ed, and they were dismissed. For several
months alter This no travellers were missed,
and finally the public excitement was al
lay ed. Il was at this tims that lhs incidents
related in This sketch occurred.
II was fins morning in early autumn,
and the woods presented beautiful ap-
psarance. The birds were gaily singing,
and the rays Of an afternoon sun, not too
! warm, were gliding the nee tops. In the
very heart OF the forest, surrounded by The
heaps of smoking earth, stood one of those
burners. He was splendid specimen of
man, as far as physical proportions were
concerned fully six feet ia height, and
siout in. proportion. His broad shoulders
might have contained the strength OF
Hercules His head was large and covered
with shaggy mass of hair, aud his fea-
iures we're decidedly repuIsive. His eyes
were small and nearly covered with bushy
eyebrows. He bad, altogsther, cruel and
malevolsnt appearance.
AS we introduce him 10 the reader, he
was leaning upon large axe, apparently
in listening position. The road ran by
the place where be was standing but be
could not see far along it on account Of a
sndden turn a litlle distance from him
The clatier Of horses hoofs, however, co d
be distinctly heard, and in few minutes
the horse and rider came in sight. The new
conner vas small and active looking man,
and from bis dress was a gentleman well
leof His eyes were unusually keen and
searching, and were bent upon the charcoal
burner in such a manner that the latter
qnaled before him.
Fair day, ny good man. said lhs horse.
man, ia the easy manner OF one speaking
to an interiors.
fExceleHt Monsieur, for one of my trade.
love not The boiling suns OF summer, nor
ye, the bleak winds of winter
Since you are so nicely suited, suppose
you are what so lew are in the world-hap-
Pyl
'Ycu say truly, MoEsieur-few, few in
deed, are ;suy happy. There is 20 hsppi-
ness without contenIment
And are you contented 2
sAtlimes think am but when see
the mob Ieman riding by in his coach and
four, rolling iE riches, with servants 10 obey
his every wish, and have to toll hard for
nv daily bread. cannot help thinking that
God is sometimes UNJUST
sAnd you never think of sppropriating
any Of these superAuous riches 10 your
self q
What does Monsieur mean I trust that
no thoughts of disobeyins alike the laws of
God and man ever sntered into my mind.'
Il mssnt nothing ii was merely an idle
question bar | did not stop to talk thus,
but 10 ask the way 10 p. 1t is getting
late, and must be on the fnove.n
1f Monsieur is in hurry, can ditect
him 10 PIN about half the time =
4 shall be very much obliged 10 you, my
friend.'
This lane begins very near 10 nay home:
which is about half mile further on. You
had better stop there, as my wife can point
it out to yon.'
will do so. Here is a reward exclairn-
ed the horseman, offering him a piece of
gold.
The other drew back and refused 10 take
il, alleging he had done nothing to deserve
H. The horsemau then put spurs to his
horse and rode away, bend in the road
soon hiding him from sight. Having rode
on until he imagined that his horses hoofs
could not be heard by the charcoal burner,
should the latter be listening, he dsmonn-
ted and silently reiraced bis steps. He ar
rived at The place where he had left his
friend, the charcoal burner, but the latter
was not TO be seen. The stranger hasiehed
back to his horse and remounted.
IL is as expected be mniiered. This
road makes a large bend here, and By cut
ting across be can reach his hut before me-
/ care little, though, as am forearmed. We
shall see who'll come ont 6rst .compre-
hend why ne refused my gold piece; be
considers il as his own, and he thinks be
may as well take altogether; but must
hurry on and finish iEis business before
nigEtfall.'
So saying he put spurs TO his horse and
fode on. Ten 11inutes, sharp riding bto,i