The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-02-10
THE TWO TRAVELLERS.

men, NJ. Mallaquent, merchant OF the capi-
tai, as indolent in mind as in body, slept
profoundly from the comm sncement; the
otner NJ. Lussac, commercial traveller,
person of very animated character, did
not allow his tongue 10 rest single instant
Among other things which he mentioned.
he let it escape that he had on him fifteen
Thousand frances in bank bills, and that
the greater part of the sum was Intended for
the purchase of colonial productions, and
the rest as present for his wife.
NJ. Malaquet, on the contrary, during
the rare intervals when be was sufficiently
awake TO speak, said simply that he was
going.to Havfe.
The diligence arrived al Pontoise, where
the horses were changed As the road
from that point ascends, the conductor pro-
posed 10 the travellers that they should walk
up the hill. Lussac embraced the propo-
sal with pleasure, and Malaquet, from po
lileness, affected to be no less dehghted
though, 10 fact, he had no desire 10 put his
legs i'll movement.
They both started up the hill then, aud
the diligence followed them.
Soon darkness came on But The trave-
lers continued 10 hear The diligence rolling
behind Them. AT the end OF some tine
they both remarked that they had wander
ed from The right road. They wished TO re-
Turn thereto out the sound of the wheels
no longer reached them. The ndoleui
MalIaquent grew afraid. Munerng a few
oaihs, he began 10 march al more rapid
rate, and ihs sudden change gave birth in
the soul oi NJ. Lnssac 10 a sombre present
imeni. Remembering his imprudeui avow-
al about he fifteen thousand frances which
he had with him, The most lnbunons idea
agitated HE mind He asked himself in
terror whether this suspected companion
had not plotted with The conductor to rob
him in SONS solitary place. Perhaps, he
also thought, another accomplice might be
lurking in some spot near, ready TO Ponnce
on him. Ia truth, poor Lussac deemed
himself los; man be Determined, ihere-
fore, 10 be on his guard.
With regard, to Mallaquet, when he saw
Lusssc become suddenly silent, he at once
conceived similar suspicious 10 those OF his
mpanion. He had not, il is lrue, ike
Lussac been guilty OF any indiscreuon en-
dangering his own enterprise, but his peck
els were filed with i'm porlant papers, and
the avowal OF his companion appeared to
him new only an adroit rick to inspire aim
vrlh confidence. Keeping at as great a
4. tha
TWO travellers Wa,ched each others move
msnts. At last, marsh coming in The
way, forced them into Immediate coptaci
on a narrow path. Their alarm and distrust
went on increasing. Mallaquet raised his
hand 10 wipe mis- brow, balhed in prespira-
iion Lnssec then stopped, thinking mat
be saw in his companion's hand an iustru-
ment OF murder. However, 10 brace his
courage little, he likewise raised his
hand to take pinch OF snuff. Maiaquet,
seeing his stopped down to the muddy
ground to escape the expected pistoi-shot
Alter come :ime passed in the anguish Of
these mutual suspicious Lussac determined
to give ullerance to his dread in words.
I'VE mus, y said he, 'be thoroughly on
our guard here. 1t is The very demon iim
self who has thrown US thus on The high
road in the middle of the night. Fortunate
ly if we meet with any misfortune or at
tack there is nothing 10 be found on me
bat empty pockets.''
'.lndeed, !" replied MaIaquet, "you surely
forgot the fifteen thousand frances which
you have with you"
"Oh that was all nonsence," cried Lus
sac; "my words on this point were the
merest wind; OF course lwas only joking"
This speech did not fail 10 increase the
terror oil Maaquet.
"Well, whatever happens" ne saie, af-
ter few moments hesitation, 81 am deter
mined not to yield till have fired my pis-
tol as often as cam"
"Pisiol!" exclaimed Lussac shut do
you not know that ii is forbidden to carry
arms!"
aForbiddep, do you say p' continued
Mallaquel, assuming an air of great cour-
age g,here are resolute fellows, however,
who do not much regard-who, in fact,
laugh at-such prohibitions"
This conversation was interrupted BY the
,ro, of horse; the rider was postilion,
who ioId our travellers that they had gone
aslray, and that they had, at least, walk
OF Two hours TO The nearest posting station.
Both more alarmed than ever, sought re-
lief in furious oalhs.
Presently carriage passed Mallaquet
aud Lussac rushed towards IL. Lussac
wanted to gel up behind, but the coachman
struck him SO fiercely with his whip, that
he was forced 10 let go his hold Behold
our travellers, then, dragging their weary
limbs anew along the highfoad.
A light cleaned in the distance. Our
,ravelers drowned in Precipitation and