Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-10-04

or dancing lanterns alb. ,ut, together with the
concise, impressive manners of the conduct
ors, incapable Of volunteering any informa-
ton, answered to the pcrils and uncertain
ties of shipboard, and drew contiding souls
together, whose bonds would fly asunder at
the first glimpse of the destined station. The
few short intervals in which the passengers
were permitted to leave the train and skir
mish for a meal, consisting mostly of lard
and grit. apples and deleterIous liquids,
awoke Lucy to bewildering sense OF an
outside world whose extremities were the
home she had left, and ST Louis. each vague
and remote. and alien to her present pur-
pose. All she saw outside the railroad ap-
peared automatic ; the towns, with strings
of puppets, whose motions would cease with
the passing of the locomotive the hill
ranges that rose and sank; the winding riv-
ers, wide and silent, narrow and noisy,
skinned by birds, or dotted with boats
the belts of primeval woods, shady the
world of ghosts and but for the embrace of
the iron rails as impcnetrable, and the lakes,
the blue eyes of the landscape, opening
sloepily at the noise and fume of the pertur-
bations of men. 1t all counted aiterward
a wild vision in her memory.
At Chicago there more confusion,
hurry, and c1angc than at any time before !;
and on starting from thence Lucy perceived
changed entirely, and she alone in her
corner. Two veiled statues in crinoline oc-
cupied seats at the opposite end, who were
evidently prepared to remain lmmovable
through all vicissitudes, and not admit their
propinquitv to any fellow-beings : the other
occupants we're men---sharp-iaw tobacco
chewers, with wrinked foreheads, and eyes
+ filed with specu alton. Miles rolled away,
the brakemen were mapping or smoking, and
the conductors appetltes for tickets tor the
present were appeased. Lucy gazed at the
flying country till her eyes ached, and then
/ thought she would empty her travelling bag
and sort its contents for amusement. She
shook, folded and replaco1 them. Opening
her little journal for the first time, she be-
gan to write in it with the gold pencil at
tached TO Aunt Debbv's chain. and was ar
rested by voice close t. her ear from the
scat behind hers, which she had thought
empty.
= You have travelled so far. Miss, that
reckon You have To keep that book posted up
5 to keep run of Yourself -
She turned and brought her face unpleas-
antly near 10 that of the young man who
rested his elbows on the back Of her seat
There was n detestable expression of admira-
tion in his good natured countenancc which
made her angry; she grew very red and he
ewes sparkled. He, not ntmidated, moved
his elbows TO get a better view. and made an
other attempt.
+" have been observing you some time
thought YOU seemed dull, and that I'd bet
ter come over and introduce myself -mig gh
rs well be neighborly | am going to Alton
Ny name Is Torch. | was all through the
war-Lieutenant of Company a. Fourth In
diana-Silver Tails. We were the BOYS, L as
sure YOU. We didn't run away but once.
- wish, Sir. YOU would repeat the per
formance on this occasion, said Lucy. fierce
".
He laughed.
a. | didn't run [ never DO under any cir
aumstances. | couldn't thar day. Lool
here =
In spite of herself she looked, as he rollet
up his loose coat-sleeve and exposed ugl,
scar running down his arm TO his right hand
from which two fingers were gone.
Il spent a lively evening after the fight
when my bunch OF five WAS sliced into 1cIth
out chloroform the surgeon excused himsel
for mslaying the last bottle. | kicked hin
and | cursed him and then New Englan
, woman came along with "a iemon-the Ney
England women carried lemons always-an,
r she almighty good to me. She said
, don swear; and | haven't cursed since
| knew your stripe soon as | set eyes ol
/ you. Should be happy, Miss, to show yo
any attention in my power.
Ending with this hit OF politeness he drew
aside with an expression which denoted tha
he had done ali that could become a man an
4 traveller
A broad smile passed over Lucy's face
which he perceived. and which encourage
; him. He replaced his elbows and resumed
- The war. Miss, has had the effect c
making us feel free and easy every where.
am quite ready to go with our artillery t
: Mexico the Mexicans need h (heg you
r pardon and our cannon can give it to then
What is your opinion of the Mexicans
When you say uernsia Uonlito and want
, ,crdo,fV. they are described. in nv estima
: ton
Lucy looked down the row on her righr
: and up the row on her left. to ifany bod
; was observing this persistent, shabby youn
: man, who was using the most offensive lar
= guage she ever heard. No one appeared 9
all regardful of him but she omitted
glance into the little mirror inserted in tt
n panel at the end of the car ON her side
e Where is Mexico?" she asked. with a
d Indifferent air.
i - 1t is in the country where hastv plat,
:, OF soup are made, and military officers u.
the politest of talk, when necessary for Cal
tain Bragg TO give 'em little more grape.
Il She raised her eyes To his. and met Il sharl
intelligent, cool glance, which made her fe
- CNu
n age, she said, abruptly
: - MIR. Torch, were you ever extinguished ?
e .'Old " he answered - old as the All,
ghanies that Joke is The Torch Famil
{ came in with that range. Before that part
&c of self-sufficient gentlemen set sail for Amer
z ca in 1920"
5 In spite of his pert reply his s.nd-colore
o complexion took on lively red, and matche
n his long hair, which fell straight beneath h
6 jaunty felt hat. Lucy had succeed in ammo,
ing and discomposing him. He was real
e attracted toward her, and honest in his aC
t miration. The legends of his regiment ;
L well as it's experience in passing over n lare
9 extent of country. went to prove there WI
such truth A. love at first sight Luc
t. turned squarly from him in the middle
:. her seat, and devoted close attention to ht
o window. She wished that the brim of h.
hat was wider. for she had an irritating pre-
r ception that Mr.. Torch was intently exam
d ing the shape of her ears, her waterfall, an
l. the contour of her head. There was silent
t for few miles, and then an avalanche
s magazines and papers came sliding over b
;, side her.
le beseeching tone. '' meant no offense'' E,
E. cuse me-
a Thank you.', inumbed Lucy, and toe
lie up magazine.
9 - First-rate article there. he said eagerly
III . but, by lingo, there isn't mite of cor
er mon sense in it. How are the writers pa
lie your way for writing moonshine?''
,r - In finding critics like yourself. possibly
k - Very good again. The article is calie
ell The Skull OF the Negro before and aft
to Freedom Now will you be good enough
&c tell me, Miss, whether the happy and q
er lightened colored brother, who never is s
Mt lowed to come into the family with you,
ed different in the formation Of his head fro