Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-06-26

Lot waited in an apparently detected
mood, while she settled with the guide
from her own pocket, with business-like
dispatch. Then she led her little brood.
followed closely by the dog, up to the
door of our neighbours cabin.
"Well, Lot, we've come"
81 see we have, Marier |"
And the door closed upon Lot and his
family.
On the ensuing morning we were able
to arrive at more correct estimate of
the new conner, who early introduced
herself to us as ''Lot's wife" She was
OF fair complexion, short in stature, and
very slim about the waist. Her thin
taken hair was drawn smoothly back
from a prominent forehead, and fastened
IN tight, button-like knot at the back
of her neck. Restless blue ewes, sharp
nose, thin cheeks, and firm, large
mouth, filled with even, white teeth,
completed the list of her personal char
acteristics. Energy, decision, business,
was written on every lineament of the
little woman's countenance-spoke in
every restless move of her g lissome
body.
In the first three sentences she spoke
contract was matured, to the effect that
we, furnishing the wherewith, should
thenCeforward look to her to ''keep the
pot boiling at the average rate of twen-
ty-fye cents a head per diem.
Lots children were miniature reproduc-
lions 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
useful duties, under the judicious eye of
his mistress and ruling spirit.
'Never had much opinion of dogs, any
way" she said, rather apologetically,o one
morning, as, distributing our breakfast,
| she glanced at Lion and the infant, roll
ing and gamboling together in the deep,
warm sand. ''Never could bear one I'M
til Lion there, then only a half-grown
pup, saved my first baby. He, Just
weeny, tOddling thing, got out of the
| door, and down to the creek; and the first
thing | saw was the dog bringing him
out, strangled and dripping,i in hismouth,
| | wouldn't part with that dog for his
weight in gold"
Whatever Lots inmost mind of secret
repining, his outward life bore evidence
of marked revolution toward the side
of fruitful and virtuous industry. No
! more loiterings at tasks or levity of de-
meanor; no judicial magnate ever cloth
ed himself in dignity and reticence more
| severe than characterized Lot under the
new administration, at whose head stood
his brisk, little wife.
To us, the advent of Lots wife mark
| ed the commencement of a new era
wholesome food, tidy cabin, and, above
ali, no more darning of socks, or wash
| ing days. The wilderness had begun to
Al j i
then, the luxury of ''biled shirt" We
were opening up new and richer vein
in our claim, and prosperity and con-
tentment 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 attack of mountain fe-
yer, and with money to pay a note which
had become due on a quartz mill He
wanted to know if any of us were going
in, as he could make it worth our while
to do the errand for him, he remaining
at our cabin until the messengers re-
turn. AS it happened, we were not in
tending to go for several days, our stock
Of supplies on hand being considerable,
and not having enough dust to pay for
carrying it to the bank.
Lots wife, however, on learning the
state of affairs, was observed to com
muniCate some instructions to the ten
year-old, who Immediately ''lit out" in
the direction of his fathers claim. A few
moments, and Lot himself came. He
was willing to accommodate, and would
go to the city. His claim wasn't pay
ing him much; and he might as well
look about a little. All of which famil-
lar terms might have been translated to
mean that his wife was not at all aYerse
TO earning the something" before init
mated which should ''make it 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 sweed,
until opposite his own threshold, he
leaped to the ground, dashed inside the
cabin, and slammed to the door.
We had scarce time to wonder at
this strange and unusual proceeding,
when there swarmed upon us party OF
men-armed, and stern, members of the
viliganCe committee.
Their Grand 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 bal
last. ''Tariers" last words were useless
as the wind against this sudden anC
overwhelming elevation, born of renew
ed liberty. His journey furnished him {
golden opportunity, though brief, fol-
the renewal of those harmless indulgenCes
OF late so religiouslY foregone.
A chance acquaintance, met just a.
the ,~dge of town, easily led the way t.
This change of good-fellowship eventu
allv resulted in many more, under The
combined influence of which, no Roths
child ever felt richer than did Lot will
the trust-money in his hand.
What occurred thereafter, passed t.
Tot like a troubled dream. There was
vague remembrance of all his hands a
the bar, a scuffle, a pistol-shot or two
and then the mad race home, a trus
: BETRAYED. the stain of blood upon hi
, hands, and the ''Vigilantes" close upon
: his heels.
They were sure enough of him nov
twelve men to one, and he trapped
like prarie-dog in his hole.
:, Lion, the huge St. Bernard, came
!! ! smelling at the garments of the invaders
! looking up with large, inquiring eyes
:; Half unconsciously, the leader patte'
the rough head caressinglY, as it rubbed
against his hand The dog, friendly t
the friendly, reared upon his hind leg
u u and placed his fore-paws on the leader
= Notwithstanding a half-head tale
: than the man himself,
4 Meanwhile, no sound nor light cam
n from Lots cabin. Lion, going over
pushed at the door with a low whine
g Speedily following, the leader, wit
" three of his men, knocked for admit
v lance.
d Straightway in the door appeared Lot
e. wife.
"Gentlemen, what will you have ~