Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-01

VOL. ALN1I. N Il w
tender years, sitting ast-ide the pillion, its
limited embrace aspiring to encircle the
maternal waist. A trife in the rear came
rough mountaineer, in the capacity of guide,
sandwiched between two children of larger
| growth, the elder of whom could not have
exceeded the age of tenyears. A monstrous
dog of the St. Bernard breed formed, sue
cessfully, flank and rear.
Checking the beast when within few
rods of us, the woman gave a keen scrutin-
izing glance around, which rested at last fix
cdly upon the countenance of Lot.
. That's him - she exclaimed ina strong,
decided, though not unmusical voice, nod
ding significantly to the guide. "We'll
stop"
Clasping the infant tightly, and loosing
the arms of the other from about her waist,
down she slid, 1.-the as a young girl and in
a twinkling had the three children on their
feet, and the youngest transferred to the
arms Of the ten-year-old.
Lot waited in an apparently detected
mood, while she settled with the guide from
her own pocket, with business-Ike despatch.
Then she led her little brood, followed close
ly by the dog, up to the door of our neigh
bor's cabin.
" Well, Lot, we're come
. | see you have, Marier ~
And the deor closed upon Lot and his
family.
On the ensuing morning we were able to
arrive at mere correct estimate of the new
conner, who early introduced herself to Us
as - Lots WIFE" She was of fair complex
ion, short in stature, and very slim about
the waist. Her thin faxen hair was drawn
smoothly back from prominent forehead,
and in a tight button-like knot at the back
of her neck Restless blue eyes. sharp
nose, thin cheeks and 4 firm, large mouth,
filled with even, white teeth, completed the
list of her personal characteristics Energy,
business, decision was written on every linea-
ment Of the little woman's countenance-
spoke in every RESTLESS move of her "lissome"
body.
In the first three sentences she spoke a
contract was matured, to the effect that we,
furnishing the wherewith, should thence
forward look to her to % keep the pot boil
ing, at the average rate Of g twenty-five
cents head per diem.
Lots children were miniature reproduc-
tons Of the mother and were under a
control little short of automatical. Even
Lion, the great St. Bernard, seemed to
know his place, and performed various use
ful duties, under the judicious eye of his
mistress and ruling spirit.
Never had much opinion of dogs, any
way" she said, rather apologetically, one
morning, as distributing our breakfast she
glanced at Lion and the infant, rolling and
gamboling together in the deep, warm sand.
- Never could bear one, until Lion there,
then onlya half-grown pup, saved my first
baby. He, Just a weeny, toddlng thing,
got out Of the door, and down to the creek
and the first thing saw was the dog, bring
ing him out, strangled and dripping, in his
mouth. | wouldn't part with that dog for
his weight in godi -
Whatever Lots inmost mind Of secret
repinings, his outward life bore evidence of
a marked revolution towards the side of
| fruitful and yirtuOus industry. No more
! loiterings at tasks or leyity Of demeanor, no
/ judicial magnate ever clothed himself in dig
nifty and reticonce more severe than charac
terized Lot under the new administration,
at whose head stood his brisk little wife.
To US. the advent of Lots wife marked 4
new era in our existence Wholesome food,
a tidy cabin. and, above all, no darning of
socks, or washing days. The wilderness
| had begun TO blossom. Weeven attained to.
now and then, the luxury of a - billed shirt. s."
We were opening up a new and richer vein
in our claim, and prosperity and contentment
smiled upon Us.
1t was an evil day that dawned upon our
camp in the gulch, when one of the boys,
ten miles above Us, turned in on his way to
the city, almost PROSTATE from sudden at
tack Of moutain fever, and with money to
pay note which had become due on
quartz mill. He wanted to know if any Of
US were going in, a. he could make It worth
our while to do the errand for him, he re
naming at the cabin until the messengers
return. rs it happened, we were not IN
tending to 20 for several days, our stock Of
supplies on hand being considerable, and not
having dust enough to pay for carrying it to
the bank.
Lots wife, however, on learning the state
of affairs. was observed to communicate
some instructions to the ten-year-old, who
Immediately d" lit out" in the direction Of
his fathers claim. \ few moments, and
Lot himself came. lie was willing to ac-
commodate. and would 20 to the city. His
claim wasn't paying him much and he
might as well look about little. All Of
which familiar terms might have been trans
lated to mean that his wife was not at all
ayerse to earning the - something before
intimated which should 1" make it worth his
while" " None of US questioned Lots hon
esty, and we made haste to get him off As
soon as possible
ltwas after nightfall Of the ensuing day.
when he was seen riding furiously toward
the camp, looking neither right nor left,
batting neither breath nor steed, until op-
posite his own threshold, he leaped to the
ground, dashed inside the cabin, and slam
med to the door.
We had scarce time TO wonder at this
strange and unusual proceeding. when
there swarmed upon Us a party Of men
armed, and stern, members Of a vigilance
committee
Their errand was soon made known they
We're in pursuit of the unhappy Lot.
a party instantly surrounded his cabin.
| Then the whole of the unfortunate affair
came out. Lots spirit released from its
accustomed restraint had reboundcd like a
! balloon that has thrown over its ballast.
" Marier's'' last words were useless as the
wind against this sudden and overwhelming
| elevation, born Of renewed liberty. Ills
| journey furnished him a golden opportunity
though brief, for the renewal of those
harmless indulgences of late so religiously
foregone.
\ chance acquaintance, met gust in the
edge Of town, easily led the way to a friend
| ly tipple in the nearest saloon. This change
Of good-felowship eventually resulted in
-
of which, no Rothschild ever felt richer
than did Lot with the trust money in his
| hand.
What occurred thereafter, passed to Lot
| like a troubled dream. There was 4 vague
remembrance of all hands at the bar, a
scuiile, pistol-shot or two; and then the
mad race home a trust betrayed, the stain
Of blood upon his hands, and the " Nigi-
lantes" close upon his heels.
They were sure enough Of him now-l2
men to one, and he trapped like prairie
dog in his hole
Lion, the huge St. Bernard, came smell
ing at the garments of the invaders, look
ing up with large, inquiring eyes. Hall
unconsciously, the leader patted the rough
head caressingly, as it rubbed against his
hand. The dog, friendly TO the friendly,
reared upon his hind legs and placed his
fore-paws on the leaders shoulders-stand-
ing a halihead taller than the man him
! self
Meanwhile no sound, or light came from
Lots cabin. Lion, going over, pushed at
the door with a low whine. Speedily fol
lowing, the leader, with three of his men,
knocked for admittance
Straightway at the door appeared Lot.
wife.