National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-12-24

as its wavelet moved past the bar,
and dashed against the inside of the
boiler.
Stop that play, boys said |, and
tell James to close up the boiler
They had not seen Inc before, and
when they heard my voice they let
he iron bar fall, and scampered
away. The bar dropped with a
loud splash into the water.
Never mind thought /, 'the fire
man can get it out again when they
clean the boiler next Sunday |
was about to leave the boiler room
when James entered.
Good evening, sir began he, in a
cheerful tone; i guess the new
engineer will arrive tomorrow
night, ana i am glad OF 1t. fleaSe
step into my room and read this
letter which ! received this after
noon. From it you can see why I'm
glad to get away from here
He gave me a letter. 1t was too
dark 10 read it outside, and en-.
tered his room. sat down and read
the letter, which was from James
mother, urging him to come home
instantly.
'Iou thought ! was mad at you
because you made love to Minnie. -
But You were mistaken, old boy. for
look at this letter said he, handing
me another. 1t was letter from ii
young girl, although the handwrit-
ing looked rather masculine. 1t was
dated from the same New England
village in which James mother lived.
and its contents breathed intense
love for him. 1t was signed Annie
Yes, replied he in answer to my
questioning look, I'll marry Annie
as soon as set foot i'll my native
village
wont you wait until the bans
are published" " asked |, with a
laugh.
'Not a minute. I'll 90 straight to
her house, take her to then parSou
who,for money and good words, will
tie the knot ! Now continued he,
after pause, during which he took
bottle and two tin cups from a
shelf above his head; now lets
drink to the health Of our intended
brides And he filled the cups.
Hold ON, James! Fnst let me
know what is i'll the cups said |.
Your intended tatherin law gave
me bottle of Angelica wine. He
said it was the best in the cellar, -
answered James.
/ like sweet wine, and took the
. cup.
/ Here's to the health and prosper.
ity Of Annie " exclaimed ], empty
ing the cup.
Here's to Miss Minnie. who, am
sure Will be the best and truest OF
wives ?? was the toast of James,
as he too, emptied his cup.
Nov, here is II real Havana -
said he taking some cigars from his
pocket and he handed me one. which
lighted. Then settling back into
the chair, listened to detailed
account of his previous life. The
narrative seemed very unlntcrcSting
To me and | was wishing inwardIN
that it would soon end, for had to
90 to s. that very night on
business connected with the mill.
Gradually the light became dim
and the voice of James sounded
hollow. tried to tell him to trim
the lamp and speak IA little louder
but my lips only moved, and not I
. .sou.".l o.,...e H.a... ..s- tLrs.b. rN.-
tobacco smoke is choking me-
thought !, casting my eye tuwart
my right hand, which was SLOWLY
slipping from the edge of the table
upon which was lying the half con
Sumcd cigar. Strange that felt III
pain as the hand struck the corner
of the char. tried to rise. but my
endeavors were vain. Some heavy
; weight seemed TO press on my shoul
ders,a weight that could not Shak,
, Off lifted my eyes toward James
who was sitting opposite to me-
My God! Was it hallucination of my
whirling brain. or was 1t "A reality
! saw. as if through haze, til,
eyes of James, glaring at me like
those of wild cat about to spring
; upon its prey.
Every line of his features pro
claimed hate--undying hate. III,
- rose and came close to where | sat.
, His voice sounded to me like til,
roar of thunder, as he said:
, Aha! I've got YOU now my fin
fellow; this time am sure that y0l
2 can never,never marry Minnie. Tel
\ minutes more and You are dead
Oh ! it's no uSe,' cried he, in "A voic
{ that pierced my ears, as he saw hoy
: trieo TO shake Of the coils tina
3, seemed 20 bind me to thc chair, III
;, use whatever, old boy. II ! woul
: let YOU e. now You would hang me
D True enough, Il gipsey once sal
that ! would break my neck, but ne
= upon the gallowS, no! no! Som
weeks ago ! tIicd to kill you, but
). was already too dark to take goo
q aim, and YOU escaped
g THE letters YOU peruscd are notl
o ing but lorgerics. My mother la
}. been dead these four years, aud vi
Il girl Annie is only creature of m
o BRAIN
=. His voice seemed to lower to
/. whisper, as he continued:
.. They will say that YOU are u VI
lain that YOU fled "a few days bet0