Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-06-20

which familiar terms might have been
translated to mean that his wife was not at
all averse to earning the "something" be-
fore intimated which should "make IL
worth his while" None OF us questioned
Lots honesty, and we made haste to get
him Off as soon as possible.
1t was 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 ms party of men
armed and stern, members Of a vigilance
committee.
Their errand was soon made known;
they were 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 rebounded like a
balloon that has thrown over its ballast.
"Marier's' last words were useless as the
wind against this sudden and overwhelm-
ing elevation, born of renewed liberty.
His journey furnished him a golden op-
portunity, though brief. for the renewal of
those harmless indulgences of late so re-
ligiously foregone.
A chance acquaintance met just in the
edge of town, easily led the way to friend
ly tipple in the nearest saloon. This change
of oon1 fnll lnuol,in nyapina1lu aI IL,
many more, under the combined influence
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 a vague
remembrance of all hands at the bar,
scu file, pistol-shot or two; and then the
mad race home, trust betrayed, the stain
of blood upon his hands, and the "Vigi-
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. Half
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 half head taller than the man him
self.
Meanwhile no sound or light came from
Lots cabin. Lion, going over, pushed at
the door with low whine. Speedily fol-
lowing, the leader, with three of his mon,
knocked for admittance.
Sttaightway at the door appeared Lots
wife.
"Gentiemen, what will you have?"
"we have business with your husband,
ma dam. Will you ask him to step out
side?'
"My husband is not able to attend to
business tonight"
''But orr business is important and can
not wait. If be does not come out, we
must come in"
"Gentemen, you cannot see my hus-
band to-nightr Her voice was firm, even,
decisive perhaps tric more decisive
than ever.
The dog, crouching at her feet, gave a
low growl.
woman, we have no lime to handy
words Let us pass ~
The dog rose partly up, with menacing
growl. The woman behind him seemed to
rise and expand in the white heat OF pas
sion that possessed her. Her voice rose
high and shrill: "And say you shall moi
pass you that come twelve armed men
with murder in your hearts, TO take an in
nocent man out from the midst of his help
less children. l swear that you shall no
touch hair of his head to-nightv'
As she spoke, drawing with dextrou'
hand "Colts navy from the folds of hel
dress, she held it at full cock, bearing
straight upon the leaders head. Not a mar
among them but was touchedi al the sigh
of this dauntless devotion yet emotion
must not prevent the discharge of duty.
"But this man has committed murder
the greatest crime known TO the eyes of the
law. Public safety demands that we dea
with him according TO the letter of thu
law" expostulated the leader, more moved
than he ca red to acknowledge.
A superb scorn overswept the woman
features. Bending to touch the dog will
her hand, the huge creatufe drew himsel
erect, angry and bristling. with his lip
drawn threateningly back from his formida
J BILE teeth. Then boldly throwing open thu
cabin door, she pointed with upraised fin
ger, still holding the deadly weapon aimee
full at the leaders breast. A scathng con
tempt rang in her words
l "Does that man look like a cut-throat
Can you all, looking inside this cabin, tel
me that you aie afraid 10 spare him to hi
wife and children this one last nght?'
She paused moment, glancing swiitl
around the circle of dark faces pressin
close upon her. The tableau within show
ed Lot, crouching upon a low camp stoo
pale, dsordered, and shaking with terror
clasping in his arms his youngest born ;th
girls, firm and fearless as their mother
. were planted at his knees; while betwee
him and the door, the ten-year-old, with
dilapidsted chair, Ms rest, stood behin
>, his fathers rife.
The she bear and her cubs were grit t.
the bacG bone.
who are your she cried, eloquent
gesticulating to the crowd with her unoC
cupied hand, "that take the business of tn
! Almighty into your own hands, and sen
0 the souls he has made unbidden into hi
presence, without n prayer for mercy
: Which would be the better, you or him
a Leave him TO us this night and as surel
a as there Is a heaven above us, in the morn
v ing you shall come in without hindrance
= You can guard the cabin. There sno dar
ger he will escape your