Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-05-08
MONTPELIER, II. WEDNESDAY, 8, 1872.


with him; because, after all, what was his
loss to me in comparison with the companion
4 had gained2 Afterward when felt at
times how pleasant il would be to me to have
Que Of my favorites about my houso---I you'd
breach tho subject to my wife; but seeing il
was distastoful to her, never urged it. Now
-as often at such times--l could not help
recalling ongingly my old dogs attachment
TO me; mis- pleasant companionshp his pro-
tocting watchfulnessi his strong and stead
fast affection, which | had won simply by
having rescued him from trap when he was
a puppy, and nursed and cured his broken
leg. Yes | would give much to have him
With me now. Yet, how could | fret for this
wheu | could gratefully think and dream Of
the little one who would soon have its place
Al our loving, cheerful hearth Aud then,
Of course, fell again 10 picturing the dear
young face that had watched inc from the
open doorway, pale aud wistful in the gas.
| light. What merry night we ought to have
been making Of it--Annie and dropping
now and then into our favorite occupation Of
adding story after story to that Spanish cas-
'le founded on our retirement from business
with princely competence. Il was rather
eAr'y perhaps, to make arrangements for the
went, but it was just as well to be in good
sine. And when you are looking on into
he luture--vague TO the best Of eyes--isn't
Il just as easy to see things rose.colored as
/ jlue2 10 these pleasant dreams | drove on
Until the mines were round, and drew up
ny horse before the low public.house whore
[ was to meet the club. All the members
l 4 .l..l u. .,htal
With a sanded floor and an immense fire roar.
ng 10 the chimney. While | stood before it,
'estoring life to my petriied feet aud fingers,
{ looked round at the dozen men who had
heir places at the table, aud | voted them
et OF kindly, noisy fellows. But as the
ivenng wore oa | modified my opinion
Dne or two were sulen and moody, thwart-
| ng every amendment, and drinking great
leal in kind Of gruf and greedy silence
One or two were ooisterous and coutradc-
ory, dropping ready oaths continually from
heir lips and bringing down their fists heav-
| ly upon the deal table TO enforce their rough
,ud noisy words. And others were quiet, or
lery men, with very few words to say, md
very deliberate way Of saying them Bot,
.mong them all | noticed one most particu-
arly far above his companions in cordiaity
md Kindness; quite the most pleasant, the
most genial, and the most intelligent mau
there. He behaved to me, too, with GER
/ ain quiet respect which most Of the others
/ dispensed with, and which is rare indeed
,mong the Bog.mues. How could | help
| being glad when this man drew the lucky lot,
,ud won as beautiful an English lever as one
iced wish to see ? But with hearty cor
| liality, the man offered to have the lots
| lrawn again he could wait he sail and
some of bis mates had set their hearts Oh it,
1 negatived this proposal at once o5jectng
strongly to it on principle, and the watch
went slowly the round Of the table for adui.
ration, while the owner took this opportunity
IF going out into the yard to tell tle osiler
who was friend of hs--that he had won
It. | did not wonder at this at the time, but
lfterward | understood it. put up the
eleven remaining watches, and packed aud
tied the box. After enjoying the hot supper
at which | came u heartily welcomed guest
and the steamiug punch which followed it.,
drew on my oyercoat again, aud buttoned il
.nugly and safely across my chest, with the
box in its long inner pocket. Just then the
ostler came in to me with a puzzled face.
Ny horse was lame he told me; dead lame,
and would not stir"
Lame What on EARTH"
But my exclamation Of incrcduity and as
tonisilment were only met by the stold assur-
lnce that the horse was lame, aud it would
be as much as his life was worth for me to
take him out tonight. simply could moi
believe 1t, and FASTENED to the stable most
f not all, of the company following me
Well, there the horse lay " dead lame, u,
the ostler had said. There was no chance OF
MS taking me home that aight at any rate
had not lived through all my boyhood at
ihrm without understanding little abou
horses aud felt certain that there had beeu
foul play here. | could have sworn that
pick had been run into the flesh under the
knee, aud | knew that the animal was useles
indeed now could not prove the deed, OF
course, but | felt almost as confident Of il
then as did four hours aiterward, when
could feel certain who had done it.
You'll have to stay here till morning
sir" the landlord said Wen make you az
comfortable as possible"
Impossible" answered, thinking hun.
dred thoughts at once.
But isn't it case of necessity, sir
There's no other conveyance in the place"
mo horse - exclaimed, knowing could
not for moment entertain the proposal Of
staying
" None at all except my own pony, sir.
couldn't possibly let you have him, because
he's got to carry me twenty miles, as soon as
it's daylight to spend Christmas day with my
old father"
Have none of you horse here?" ask
ed, appealing in desperation, to the miners
- will pay you anything you like to ask me
fo- the use Of one tonight"
No no one had horse at my disposal, or
at their own either and they could but join
in mine hosts persuasions to me to sleep at
the Miners Arms. ." Even if the horse is in.
capable in the morning, sir" they said, and
you We still to walk, it'll be better in the day.
light than now in the dark. There'll be
plenty of snow directly, and it's likely to be
frightful night"
Not for Que moment, though, did besi.
tate when | thought of Anniei of the aux.
Ous night she would spend waiting for and
vainly expecting me; of the dreary dawning
of the Christmas morning for her it | did
not keep my promise. True, | could not be
home at midnight to let in the Christmas for
her as had promised; but the delay was
not my own fault, and at least | might let il
Nv for her at dawn and prevent it breaking
sadly and drearily for my wife. never yet
had shrunk from fifteen miles walk, even
in the dark so said goodnight to the mi
ners with laugh, which was intended to pre-
vent their laughing at what they evidently
thought Quixotic intention, aud started
briskly. while they called Goodnight,
sir" cheerily after me.
On and on went, thinking busily, as one
naturally does on long, solitary walk. Bat
presently the snow began to fall aud though
il was but slight at first, the quiet pleasant
thoughts were soon dispersed and so | sang
aloud for company, shouting Justify to keep
myself warm US well as cheerful. Aud
when was tired OF that, whsted old ia.
miliar airs, and improyised eccentric yaria.