The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-08-01

a Kind. benevolent man, respected by
every hand on the station and BY
none more than myself. lie hac
been very considersts 20 me IN lao
illness, and often sought b. many
subsequent attentions TO cheer the
loneliness Of my employment One
Of Red Jim's companions, in answeT
TO something Red Jim said, replied
with al oath
Yes veil see II bis psalm-singing
will save him nov.
Then the other said
There are couple Of women
there, and we shall have time 10 give
them a taste Of bush life, before morn
ing.
Look ye'ere. gfowled the rufiian,
we'll roast Hallelujah first. That's
our look out. Well see il the old
psaYer-palteres has nothing else 10 do
bot help to run Us down. Give him
taste of FIRE before the devil gets
him
/ had no fever, no lassitude, now ;
the prostration Of the last few weeks
lett me as by magic, and in IFS stead
| felt a fierce delightful energy tin.
Cling along every nerve. Down close
amongst the dry tindering grass,
away with suppressed breath, and a
wild feeling closing about my heart i,
| crept from the vicinity Of the fire.
| pursued my way on my hands and
knees, with slow, determined care
that has since surprised me, avoiding
every branch or twig that might crack
lie in my path. hurried on past the
flock without so much as disturbing
sheep. Not ill a long, safe distance
interviewed did | stand erect, and fresh
for the events of the night. Whatev.
er they might he. God in his mercy
a one knew. | turned and saw the
black forms of the bush.rangers NOV
inr about the blaze, and with a run |
started for the hut. Before quar-
ter OF an hour ! saw it dlmly against
the sky, and almost at the same in
slant frightened snort told me that
the horse was within few yards Of
my course. Uttering hurried
thanksgiving that had found him so
providentially near, | uniasiened the
hobbies with quick, steady hands, and
led him TO to the threshold.
| put on the patched saddle and
bride. and in another five minutes
the fine CID cob was stretching him
self to swift. free gallop. My mind
was. too full for thought; but ! can
remember uttering repeatedly the
words, Thank God !
What a contrast to the still, hot
DAYS, and the enervated frame -
What testimony to the power OF
Of mental excitement over bodily las
situde. The horse felt my determin-
alton too,and sped along without pause
or stumble. 1t was seven miles TO The
station, and the black belts OF timber
rose. and passed and came again, as !
hurried on for dear life, over grabbed
ground and abrupt hillocks. The
brave old cob had as little thought OF
rest as | had. Once indeed, he paus-
ed at rocky crossing-place, but i'm
mediately resumed the swift pace at
which we had started. Have horses
intuition or prese ntiment | don't
know but | have often wondered at
the long, unurged gallop of that brave
old gelding.
There away beyond in the black
darkness, see something that is not
n star. Is it moving, or is 1t IN the
pace of the horse? 1t seems extin-
guished now. No, there it is again.
Hurrah, it is a candle. 1t is the
homestead, calm and peaceful. Again
thank God.
Strange to say, / never ielt such a
sence OF pleasure as | did when |
learned that had found the house so
quickly-the most familiar point is
not easily gained in the trackless bush
at night. A minute more, and had
dismounted to take down the slip pan
els of the station fence another min
ute, and | had gallJped up 10 the
front entrance at a pace that dashed
the gravel from the irim-kept paths
The door opened, and gush Of
light slreamed upon the darkness,
glinting on the sides Of The reeklug
horse. Mr.. Christmas himself, e. old,
but hale and vigorous as many a
younger man,-peered out into the
night With an expression Of surprise
In beyond were The evidence Of calm
and refinement. A queil comfort
dwelt in the little glimpse | had oi
the ON, that settled upon me even
then, rough bushman a. | Wa, uilh a
pleasing sense. can call myself.
bending below The wuler. Of the
taulng o se, 10 per under be rath-
er IoN verandah my drrs, w't with
perspitai IA from hir heays sides, and
m } hand ~ ,.ing the moisture from
lis sboeider rili | heard Il pa tering
on be gravel
NJ 1hustmas thought il was the
working otetseer, for be said. Is
that yoa, 1uranf" and without aait-
ing tor /, pl he turned 10 place the
ligld upon The able, and then stepped
out to where was.
Well, Curran. what is il? | tho't
you were al the 6re.'
1t is aol Curran, sir ! Ireplied,
'but Ned the shepherd. | have come
TO tell sou----