The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-08-08

or conduct TO an ugly temper
AS the whole party moved at a
great pace, they soon reached the hut
where Hiram thought it prudent to
halt on the outside Of the top Of the
fallen pine, which formed a chevaux-
de-frize, TO defend the approach to
the fortress, on the side next to the
village. The delay was but little rel
ished BY Kirby, who clapped his hands
to his mouth, and gave a loud halloo,
that brought the dogs out Of their ken
mel, and, almost st the same instant,
the scantily covered head Of Natty al
so from the door.
"Lie dOVn, you old fool, cried the
hunter; "do you think there's more
painters about YOU"
"Hal Misunderstanding, I've an
arrand with you" cried Kirby; "here's
the good people of the state have been
writing you a small letter, and they've
hired me to ride post"
"What would you have with me,
Billy Kirby?" said Natty, "Pve no
land to clear; and heaven knows l
would set out six trees afore l would
cut down one. Down, Hector, say,
into your kennel with ye.'
"Would you, old boyT roared Bill
ly; "then so much the better for me.
But must do my arrand. Here's a
letter for you, Misunderstanding. If
YOU can read it it's all well and if you
can't, here's Squire Doolittle at hand,
to let you know what it means. 1t
seems you mistook the twentieth of
July for the first of August, that's
ALL"
BY this time Natty had discovered
the lank person of Hiram, drawn un-
der cover of a high stump; and all
that was complacent in his manner in
stantly gave way TO marked distrust
and dissatisfaction. He placed his head
VIII hin the door of the hut, and said a
few words in an undertone, when he
again appeared, and continued
.'Pve nothing for ye; SO away,
afore the evil one telGots me to do you
harm. l owe you no spite, Billy kir-
by, and what for should you trouble
nm old man, who has done YOU no
narm?'
Kirby advanced through the top of
the pine, to within a few feet Of the
hunter. where he seated himself on the
end of log with great composure.
"You've outshot me, and Pm not
ashamed to say it," said the wood
chopper, "but l don't owe you a
grudge for that, Matt though it seems
that you have shot once too often, for
.he story goes that you've killed a
buck"
GIVE fired but twice to-day, and
both times at the painters" returned
.he Misunderstanding; "see! here's
.he scaIps? l was going in with them
10 the Judges to ask the bounty"
While Natty was speaking, he tossed
-he ears to Kirby.
But Hiram, embOldened by the adj
vance of the deputcd constable, now
to approach also, and took
up the discourse with the air of au-
.hority that became his commission.
His first measure was to read the war
rant aloud, taking care to give due
emphasis to the most material parts,
and concluding with the name Of the
Judge in very audible and distinct
tones.
"Did Mamaduke Temple put his
name to that bit of paperl" said Nat
Ly, shaking his head - "well, well,
| know but little of the law, Mr.. Doc
little what is to be done, now you
have read your commissions"
"Oh it's nothing but form, Natty,"
said Hiram, endeayoring to assume a
aspect. "Let's go in, and
talk the thing over in reason. l dare
to say that the money can be easily
found, though conclude, from what
passed, that Judge Temple will pay
it himself"
When Hiram drew higher, as if ex-
pecting that his proposition would be
Natty lifted his hand and
motioned for him to retreat.
"Haven't told your more than
once, not to tempt me-" he said. 81
trouble no man; why can't the law
leave me to myself? Go back = go
back, and tell your Judge that he may
keep his bounty; but won't have his
wasty ways brought into my hut"
This offer, however, instead Of APP
peasing the curiosity Of Hiram, SEEM
ed to infame it the more; while Kirby
cried
"Well that's fair, Squire; he for
gives the county his demand, and the
county should forgive him the fine it's
what | call an even trade, and should
be concluded on the spot. | like quick
dealings, and what's fair 'twixt man
and man"
81 demand entrance into this house, I"
said Hiram, summoning all the dignity
he could muster to his assistance, Sin
the name Of the people, and by vartoo
of this warrant, and ofmy office, and
with this peace-oflicer."
'Stand back, stand back, Squire,
and don't tempt me,'. said the Leath-
er-stocking, motioning for him to re-
tire, with great earnestness.
"Stop us at your peril" continued
Hiram-"Billyl lothian close up-I
want your testimony"
Hiram had mistaken the mild but
determined air of Natty for submission,
and had already put his foot on the
threshold to enter, when he was seized
unexpectedly by his shoulders, and