Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1871-05-10
THE REGULATORS;
al. IrpGE LYNcH's BLuNpER.

ago, three friends, wild fellows enough,
who had seemingly linked their fortunes
for better or FOR worse, and who, whatever
their luck, were constantly in each others
company.
These young men were Charles Chester,
Harry Bray, and Edward Warren. They
were more brotherly than many brothers,
more akin than many kinsmen. True TO
each other even when women and money
were between them. Damon and Pythias,
with a twin Pythias added For a long
while they had been very poor at last
fortune favored them. Each had a certain
sum, by no means contemplate, slowed
away in the leathern belt he wore about
his waist. Each carried gold watch, and
each wore a suit of clothes supposed by
himself to be the latest style and choicest
fashion. Moreover, their revolvers were
perfect, silver mounted, and rejoicing in a
multiplicity Of barrels; for without these
it would be quite impossible to maintain a
position in this quarter of the world in any
society.
How they came by these possessions we
will not inquire too particularly. They
were neither burglars nor highwaymen, but
dice and betting may have helped them to
the winning Of their little fortunes. They
were not ovcr-scrupulous but they would
have knocked any man who had neglected
TO address them as gentlemen, and used
those wonderful revolvers promptly on any
"stranger" who objected drinking with
them, and, consequently stood rather high
in the community. Certainly, in their
conduct to each other they were faultlessly
honorable and miraculously generous.
One day soon after "luck" had come to
its rest, letter directed in a woman's
tremulous hand to " Charles Chester, was
handed to that member of the trio in the
presence of the other two. The young
fellow seized it eagerly, tore it open, read
it through, and tearing off his belt, spread
its contents before him upon the table and
counted it over. Having done so he burst
into tears, and very unwisely and profanely
cursed himselffor extravaganza, and all sort;
of uncomfortable things here and hereafter
proceeding which seems to relieve some
men considerably, though why, it woulC
puzzle the unenlightened to declare. The
cause of all this, as his comrades soon dis
covered, was that his mother had writer
TO him from her little farm in Southern
State, to tell him a doleful tale of sickness
death among the stock, etc, and fina
crash. A mortgage was also due, and a
the Old people would find it impossible t,
meet it, they would be sold out and lief
homeless in their old age. at will xii
your father" wrote the mother, land
will die with him.
al did it ALL" said the young fellow
sobbing openly. any debts and my will
ways incumbered them at first, and nov
look"
And he pointed to the gold upon tn
table, and began bis profane litany agail
The mortgage was three thousand dollar,
and he had but two thousand.
Is that all p cried Ned Warren, hau'
ing at his belt.
"Good heaven! What does he take I
for ?" cried Harry Bray, furiously. "Fiy
hundred apiece, and the expenses of Ii
journey is about the figure. There, 60
the old folks. Well see about your hors
while you pack your bags"
This set the other at his oaths again
but in joyful style this time. They we
trumps and bricks and by everything |
could think of he'd do for them if the
were any need of it. ...
He'd pay them back, if he lived, ar
then-he'd-bless them," and so chok,
off into sobs again, at which they left hi
to recover, returned with a horse and
well-filled pocket flask, and saw him s
forth upon his mission as though the " o
folks" had been their old folks too.
They waited for news from him, b
none came. They waited quietly at fir
then impatiently. At last they heard TIL
He had never been seen at home, OF by a
one who knew him since the day on viii
they had shaken hands with him. Sol
terrible fate had befallen him in the lone
places over which he had joprneyed alol
To doubt him never entered their min,
That he was as true to them as they
him they well knew, and one thoug
filled each mind. They must discover
fate, and, if it were what they suppos
avenge him.
So one bright morning, well mount
well armed, and followed by favorite d.
hound which would by no means be
behind, the two set forth in search of tn
lost comrade. They took the road
must have taken, and asked at every tav,
and cabin for news of him. One old m
remembered him well another man poi
ed out the dangerous place in the 70
leading past a precipice, to a man of
lost friends description; but at that pc
the clue was lost. After much travel g
many inquiries, our comrades began to
that they should have paused to exam
the rocks and ravines at the foot of
precipice alluded to, ere they proceed
further, and determined to turn back {
do so. They came to this resolution alb
nightfall, and just as they reached
borders Of a little farm, which bore
dence of a careful tillage. Upon this ],
also stood farm house, from the crew
in the shutters of which streamed long
of ruddy lamp-light, and whence the so,
of music was plainly heard. 1t was
only dwelling within sight
Eve will stay here's said one friend
the other, "until dawn, and then retur
That the house was not an inn did
matter to either Of them. Hospitality
never refused in the land to any on,
that day.
They rode boldly up to the gate
gave loud balloa. In an instant the d
opened and they could see within sud
panic in lively dance, as all heads tur
to see what had caused this interruptit
"Can you let us sleep here to-nigh
inquired one of the friends, as one q
who fears no refusal.
"Certsinly gentlemen said pleas
voice. "You're welcome. You'll fin