Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-10-04

Good-evening, neighbor," said he.
"What do you want ?" said Kraus,
gruffly.
" Nothing particular, my friend"
said the little man, as he sat down on
log, nothing particular" and he
looked at the farmer roguishly.
Kraus felt uncomfortable. ~
Then you had better clear out of
here" he said.
4" Come, come, neighbor, theweather
is not fit for dog, let alone q man.
All ali ah p
Kraus felt hot.
What do you want ?" he asked,
menacingly.
" Just little chat with you on bust
ness" returned the little man, as he
warmed the palms of his hands before
the fire. "Sit down"
The farmer sat down.
/" You know the Devils Peak ?"
said the little man.
Kraus nodded. .....
81 live there p
Kraus nodded again, but feebly.
8" I own all the land and forest round
the Peak"
" Then you are"
" Farmer Upton" said the little man.
"Ah p said Kraus, with sigh of
relief. What is your business with
me ?"
Gold p repeated the other.
Kraus left eye twinkled with delight.
" Good" said he.
"And plenty of it." returned the
little man.
I" "Where ?" said Kraus.
" On the Devils Peak"
Then why don't you take it your
self ?'
=" Because I haven't the courage, my
friend 1t requires a man of money,
bold as lion and true as steel. Such
a man I know you to be. Iwant you to
help me, and 1 will make you richer
than any sovereign in the world"
" Tn your man." said Kraus.
Good" returned the other. "It
will be dangerous, The treasure lies
at the bottom of a subterranean pas
sage, extending many hundred feet in
the earth. "
"All right" said the farmer, 81
can do it.
"Give me your word that you will
come" said the little man.
"I swear it" said Kraus.
"Ah ah p laughed the little man.
"Noble Kraus Kraus forever All !!
ah ah p
There was something so demoniac in
this terrible mirth that Kraus' thoughts
reverted for an instant to his fright on
the mountain, and he felt uncomforta-
BILE. The laughter was SO much alike.
81 never heard of you BEFORE" said
he."
"I dare say not" replied the little
man. every few people round here
know me. But you will become better
acquainted with me in a short time.
I'm very good fellow. I like people
to enjoy themselves. All ah ! ah p
The little man adjusted his furs and
rose to depart.
"Stop, said Kraus. "When is it to
be? ?"
Tomorrow, at midnight"
"Where %
con the Devils Peak"
"The summit?"
eyes Take the road of the Witches
Hollow. Follow that till you come to
Skeleton Marsh. Cross over and ascend
the mountain tlllyou strike Spirit Glen,
and then whistle three times. When
you hear an answer push boldly up to
the summit, where [ shall be waiting
for you. Good night"
The little man opened the door and
was gone.
Kraus peered out in the darkness,
but all was solitude. The stranger had
vanished as if by enchantment.
Kraus re-entered the hut and medi-
tated deeply. At last he was about to
reach the haven of delight-the richest
man. in the world. The farmer scratch
ed his head to assure himself that he
was not dreaming. No, it was reality;
but was the strangers tale true or false?
The sequel would show.
Kraus never slept that night. He
conjured up pictures of untold gold
glittering in the subterrancan caverns
of the peak, mixed up with hosts of
brilliant diamonds. He imagined the
beautiful Clara ready and willing to
take him as her lord and master-Far-
mer Kraus no longer, but Prince Kraus
his heated imagination having al
ready assumed noble title. Rich and
powerful what could he not become
So he passed the night until the gray
of morning proclaimed the dawn of an
other day.
But Kraus could not work. He took
his fowling-piece down from its resting
place and wandered out through the
mountain passes into the valley be-
meath. It was a lovely morning, cold
and frosty; the kindly sun sending his
benignant rays in glorious brilliancy
over the mountain top. Even the birds
seemed to catch and inhale the thrilling
feeling that impregnated the atmos-
phere. Kraus, however, took no notice
of the sun, or the birds, or the land
scape; he was still thinking of his gold
of the wealth that would accrue to
him, and of the beautiful Clara. Sud
denly he started back. Right in his
path stood Robert Montgomery.
"Good morning, neighbor," shouted
the young man.
"Good morning." said Kraus.
"Out so early to breathe the pure air
and hear the birds sing ?" said Robert
Bah p returned Kraus, "what do
care about the morning or the
birds ?"
"Better for you, friend. 1t would
make you happier man. :"
Bah p said Krauss again, "I have
something better to think about"
"Well, every one to their occupation
and tastes. Out shooting, / see"
"No, took the gun with me un-
awares. might, however, find some
oame worth shooting. =" and Krans' eve