Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-11-11

from my servant, and, having summoned
the guard, was just about to enter a
frst-class carriage, when hand was laid
upon my arm, and man, who was evident
ly out of breath, and must have followed
me, said, "Excuse me, SIR (oh
thought, no doubt this time, and the idea
made me feel SO faint, was obliged to lay
my hand for support on the door Of the
carriage,) ." but L presume you are going
to post this letter for me when you arrive,
you will do me a great service. 1t is of
Importance to me it should be delivered in
Paris in the course Of the day, and | was
just too late for the post" My heart beat
once more. L could breathe again. l was
/ delighted; of course | would take the let
ter, | said why nothing would give me
/ greater pleasure than to oblige him. 1t
was no trouble at all should be sure to
post it myself. &c. | believe if he had
asked me, should willingly have taken
several boxes.
So at last got into the carriage, al ell
derly gentleman, who was also rather late,
getting in at the same time, and sitting
down opposite to me. The signal was
given, the train started, and in a few min
utes we were some distance from the great
city. d" Well" | said to myself, AZ | am
lucky; at any rate L have got my free
dom it won't be very pleasant working in
Paris, but [ shall be free, and have no
stain on my character there-no exposure
before the world" [ drank some brandy
from travelling flask, as the emotions |
had experienced made me feel very shaky,
lighted cigar, and feeling at peace with
all my fellow passengers, commenced in
spectng their various countenances-in
fact, | considered my escape to be accom-
plished, for, of course, even supposing they
got an idea of the route | was taking, they
would never send to Dover after me, so |
smoked on, and thoroughly enjoyed my ci-
gar, which, by the way, was very good
one.
| was not destined, however, to remain
long undisturbed, for on looking at my fel-
low-passengers, l was suddenly startled by
noticing that my opposite neighbor was
looking at me very intently, and appeared
to be watching me carefully | turned my
ewes away, and determined neither to think
of or even notice the genteman's scrutiny,
which | thought, at any rate, very impo-
lite, and again applied myself with re-
newed igor to my cigar; but somehow it
seemed to have lost all flavor, and | could
not help glancing at my opposite neighbor
This time | thought | detected a sort of
self-satisfied expression on his countenance,
as though he had just discovered something
in me of a pleasant nature. Presently,
catching nv eve, he addressed me:
A cold evening"
Yes, very
You are so we'll covered, suppose you
don't feel it much ,"
well, it is perhaps better to be care
full"
1t is but | am surprised you should
have arrived at this conclusion. Young
men are generally so reckless, particularly
in your profession"
They are sometimes" What can he
mean?" | thought. He surely does not
know me-
You are in the army. believe ?"
% No, l am not.
True / forgot You have been
Yes, | have
But, imagine my CONSERVATION when,
bending towards me in a confidential way,
and speaking in a low voice, my companion
said
Il believe | am addressing Mr. -"
| felt the blood rushing to my cheeks,
and for one moment debated whether |
should own my name or assume another
but rejecting, if he was following me, it
would bequte useless trying to deceive him,
| mustered all my courage. and, steady
ing my voice az well as [ could, answered;
Yes, You are
All, thought could not be mistaken
seldom am and he added with know
ing smile, 10 tell you the truth, have
seen one of those photographs you had TAX
en- at Meyers, and they are really capital
What wonderful means they employ. !
thought How could he find out | went
there TO be photographed? But he con-
tinued
Yes, l have been watching you some
time. young man"
Indeed" | said. T. Y GU old brute
l thought, giving up all hope, and feeling
a cold Precipitation allover my neck and
forehead.
Where are you going to " he said.
Well, | was going to Paris | replied,
wishing TO make him understand | quite
saw his meaning.
Oh, | can't allow you to do that now
We have met. / must insist on carrying
you off for a short time III see you are
comfortably put up. You shall stay with
me. | don't suppose your business is so
very important as to prevent your accept
ing my invitation - Well. | thought. at
any rate he is very polite. and even kind,
for he evidently spares me and does not
expose me before the other passengers. AS
he is chatting, I'll try and answer him in
the same spirit; so | replied l should be
very glad to accept his kind invitation.
That's right. I don't like people who
make fuss. They always come in the
end
No doubt, said TO myself. They
/ have not much choice"
Now, | dare say you'd like to know
who | am, and what sort of place you
are going to stop at -
Oh, not at all, thank you. L am not
curious, I'll make the best Of it when l
get there
"Eh what ?" said my friend, evil
IDENTIFY rather astonished. - Make the
best of it? Why, as for that, it is place
many duke has been glad enough to live
in before now
Really you surprise me-" said. at
the same time sincerely pitying such un-
fortunate dukes.
"Well, you shall judge for yourself
when we get home
| My new friend then, to my great aston
| ishment and relief. told me his name was