The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-06-20
THE PIONEERS.

A few minutes resolved whatever
doubts our travellers entertained, as
to the description of those who were
approaching them with such exhilerat-
ing sounds. A large lumber-sleigh,
drawn by four horses, was soon seen
dashing through the leahess bushes.
The leaders were of gray, and the
pole-horses of jet black. Bells, in
Vulnerable, were suspended from ev-
cry part of the harness; while the
rapid movement Of the equipage, in
defiance Of the steep ascent, announc-
cd the desire Of the driver to ring
them to the utmost. The first glance
at this singular arrangement satisfied
tho judge ta tho ohn~"otn,' ,f 4looo.
in the sleigh. 1t contained four male
figures. On one of those stools that
are used at writing-desks, was the
charioteer, and he guided the mettled
animals that he drove along the preci-
pice, with a fearless eye, and a steady
hand. Immediately behind him, was
a tall figure, to whose appearance not
even the duplicate over-coats which he
wore, aided by the corner of a horse
blanket, could give the appearance Of
strength. His face was protruding
from beneath a woolen night-cap; and
when he turned to the vehicle Of Mar
maduke as the sleighs approached each
other, it seemed formed by nature to
cut the atmosphere with the least pos
sible resistance. Opposite to this
parsonage, sat a square figure of
large proportions. No part of his
form was to be discovered through his
over-dress, but a full face with an
agreeable expression, that was illum-
mated by a pair of animated black
eyes of lurking look, that gave the
lie to every demure feautre in his
countenance. The fourth was a meek
looking, long-visaged man, without
any other protection from the cold
than that which was furnished by q
black surtout, made with some little
formality, but which was rather thread
bare and rusty. He wore hat of ex-
tremely decent proportions, though
frequent brushing had quite destroy
ed its nap. His face was pale with q
little melancholy. No sooner had the
two sleighs approached within speak
ing distance, than the driver of this
fantastic equipage shouted aloud
"Draw up in the quarry-draw up,
thou king of the Greeks; Agamem-
non, or | shall never be able to pass
you. Welcome home, cousin duke
welcome, my black-eyed Bess. Thou
seest, Marmaduke, that | have taken
the field with an assorted cargo, to do
thee honor. Monsieur LIE Quoi has
come out with only one cap; Old Fritz
would not stay to finish the bottle !;
and Mr.. Grant has got to put the
'Iastly" to his sermon, yet. "Ah !!
Fritz, my old friend, this is kind
compliment, indeed, said the Judge,
for seventy to pay to five and for
ty. Monsieur LIE Quoi, ] am your
servant. Mr.. Grant," lifting his cap,
81 feel indebted to your attention.
Gentlemen, l make you acquainted
with my child.-Yours are names with
which she isyery familiar"
"Velcome, Welcome, Tchooge," said
the elder Of the party, with a strong
German accent. ''Miss Petsy wilt
owe me kiss"
"And cheerfully will l pay it, my
good SIR cried the soft voice of Eliz-
abeth which sounded, in the clear air
Of the hills, like tones of silver, amid
the loud cries of Richard, and the
manly greetings of the gentleman.
"I have always kiss for my old
friend, Major Hartmann"
BY this time the gentleman on the
front seat, who had been addressed as
Monsieur lie Quoi, rose with some
difficulty, owing to the impeachment of
his over coats, and steadying himself
by placing one hand on the stool of
the charioteer, with the other he re-
moved his cap, and bowing politely to
the Judge, and profoundly to Eliza
beth, he said with a smile that opened