Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-03-18

son, on whose judgment he could so en-
,ireiy RELY. as he could on mine, was Of
opinion after duly considering the claim
that it was a just one, be would at once
give up his own view of the case, which
had certainly hitherto been opposed to
mine. and would without delay dis
charge the liability. He only begged
that he might be spared the annoyance
of a personal interview with his credit
or, and that would undertake in my
own person to sec the wi dow and trans
act the business part of the arrangement
myself"
u You know" continued Mr.. Irwin,
=" how interested l have always been in
this poor souls case aud you will be-
lievc how readily undertook the charge.
This very afternoon the business is to
he brought to q conclusion. / have ar
ranged to call on Harding, (who, as you
know, lives close by,) at three o'clock
to get the money, and l will then con-
vey it with my own hands to the poor
woman as a surprise
" You have never done better days
work ;" l said. " How do you mean to
go?"
81 shall walk. 1t is not above a
couple of miles. The path across the
fields by Gorfield Copse is the nearest
way, isn't it ?"
Eyes, by good deal" answered.
Would you like companion ?'
well, L should like one, certainly
was my friends answer, but feel a
little delicacy about introducing stran-
ger into the business-either that with
Mr.. Harding himself, or with my friend
the widow, who is the proud stand most
sensitive woman in the world"
assented to the justibe of this objec-
ton, and, having some letters to writ,
got up to go, leaving my friend sitting
in the summer-house. AS quilted 1T,
came suddenly upon man who was
emerging from among the shrubs which
formed the back of the little arbor
He was an occasional helper about the
place. and had noticed him more than
once, and not with favor. He was a
very peculiar, and as 1 thought very
Unlocking man. He was shy, SLOUGH
ing sort of creature, who always start
ed and got out of the way when you met
him. \ man with hollow, sunken eyes,
small, mean, pinched sort nose, and
prominent, strengthening underjaw,
with teeth like tusks, which his beard
did not always conceal. The beard, by
the by, was one of the most marked
characteristics of the mans appearance
it being, as was his hair also, of that
flaming red color which is not very Otter
seen-really red, with no prenentions tC
those auburn or chestnut or golden tint:
which have become fashionable of late
years. The blazing effect of this mans
coloring was increased very much by the
head-dress he wore, an old cricketing
cap of the brightest scarlet. He wa!
otherwise dressed in one of those short
white canvas shirts, or frocks, which
are much worn by engineers. 8 oker
and plasterers, over their ordinary
clothes. There was a great brown patel
of new material let into the front Of thi.
garment, which showed very conspicu
ously, even at distance. His lower eX
tremities were clad in common velve
teen trowsers, old and worn.
Such was the man who appeared sud
denly in my path as 1 left the summer
house, and who disappeared Dis suddenl.
out of it moment after our encOunte I
gliding stealthily off in the direction o
the kitchen garden.
l saw my good friend Mr.. Irwin one
more before he started on his beneficial
GRAND. He was in high spirits, and hat
&C.. himself up in great style for the &C
oyercoat, to keep off the dust, and
white hat. l think he had q flower
his button hole.
r There was one part of Mr.. Irwin
equipment little of the common way
and this was butterfly net, fixed to TIL
end of stick. My friend was mos
enthusiastic entomologist, and when il
f the country never stirred without carry
, ing with him this means of securing hi
favorite specimens. l joked him Jit
tie on the introduction of this unusua
4 element into a business translation, sug
} costing that Mr.. Harding would thinl
that he had brought it as receptacl
for the widows money. /" / must hav
it with me-" said the old gentleman
''for if ever venture to go out withou
= it invariably meet with some invalua
( bic specimen which escapes me in
heart rending manner. But" he added
l "I'm not going to let Harding discove
my weakness, you may be sure. III
/ leave IL outside among the bushes, an
: recoverit when the interview is over.
"Well, good luck attend you an
way!" called after him; "A successful
end to your negotiations, and plenty c
butterflies.o
The good hearted old fellow gave m