The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1871-01-10

+ I happen 10 have cord and JACK
kui;e. aud, between us guess the dii
dcul,y can he overcome
4 A lit q TIE harness bad given way
which Hardy tied up as readily as II
jobbiug bad been bis profession.
There gentlemen, be said giving his
bandiwork a strong pull, won are sale
Tor few miles, but you bad t.elter look
at the breach occasionally
"You cannot tnnk what service
you have done us, young man p cried
voice from within the carriage eve
have been delayed an hour, aIru ,dy,
and our party are waiting for US At
i Chester But, pray how does it hap
pen that you are abroad 80 late aud
alone Acd how are You travelling your
sei2'
"Who knows but be takes me for
highwayman?' thought Hardy had
better own up, frankly.
Il am student from the college
and am gong to Chester to bear Mr
Choate speak, tomorrow. Tnat is how
happen to be here so late and alone.
We'll, jump in, sir There's plenty
Of room here We cannot leaveyou be
hind, after the service YOU have render
ed us,
The students modesty was oyeru.
ed, and Hardy found himself rolling to-
wards his destination on the softest Of
spring seats and velvet cushions. He
soon discovered that be was in compa.
NY with some OF the political speakers
who were to be the lions Of the follow
ing day. After civil remark or two.
the stranger was left to his o o,n
thoughts aud observations.
Arrived at Chester, the whole party
we're set down at the principal hotel. -
A porter bowed the travellers into the
private room where friends were await.
ing them
Hardy stood upon the hotel steps,
wondering what he should do next
He had calculated upon getting TO
Chester in the morning, and obtaining
a little rest iu some by-pace; but here
he was; and he was not quite sure that
he ought to leave the notol withouf
thanking the gentlemen for their atten-
ton to him.
While he stood hesitating, the waiter
stepped up TO him, saying his room was
ready, and nquiring whether he would
% 10 it.
Il have not ordered room
The gentlemen say you will please
consider yourself their guest
Make my excuses to them, then
As they seem to be engaged, ! will not
lntrude.
Hardy stepped off the hotel steps,
and walked away into the night again.
The brief taste of luxury and ease had
old on him,and something like bitter
unrest rose up in his heart as he con
lrastcd his hard lot with that of the so
cial party he bad left, and who were, no
doubt, at that moment sitting down to
! sumptuous repast, while be was un
sheltered, and three herrings, and
ew coppers in his pocket.
"Neyer mind he said, looking II,
at the cold bright stars "Mr Choat,
was poor, once. and now the country i
al aroused because he is to speak here
| had rather sleep on stone than on
bed Of charity"
Our student managed to shelter bis
honest head until morning, and when
be moment arrived for Mr. Choate't
address TO commence he was there
The hall was crowded to its utmost ca
pacity. Hardy had chosen his seat with
a determination that, let what would
come, he would not resign it. He bad
come to see aud hear Choate, and be
would be gratifed. The crowd was
immense After the usual pressing and
trampling, and elbow NJ by the audi
ence, Mr. Cboate was announced, and
applauded, and then the bush Of ex.
pectancy prevailed,
At that moment, decrepit old man
tottered close to Hardy's chair, with
no more power TO resist the swayinq
crowd than an infant. In an ins tant
the student sprang TO his feet and
placed the old man in il; and that was
the last that he remembered until ht
found himself halfway up one Of the
hall-pillars, with is mouth wide open
his throat a. dry as q cob, and feeling
, a ] over as il be had been ndulging in d
long, raptuous dream, from which the
awaking was both pleasant aud pain.
ful
When be became conscious that NJ
Ch ate oration was over a. d be dropp-
ed from bis elevated position a. limp AZ
II be bad been wrung ont 10 D0ty's
washing machine Then voice from
the platform criedoai, Mr. Hardy, yon
Wili fnd a seat this way