Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-03-20

IL WIS III tiie u'ty VI SOiu pieCcs' ne
put a couple into her outstretched hand.
| cannot pay you for your kindness, he
said, shaking it cordially.
All right. We've got to help each
other, you know. But | don't take no
money; l don't keep tarven no mere than
the Suttons, giving him back the money
Walter laughed, and passing the little
girl in the road, put it in her pocket
The woman called out after him that he
be back in half an hour.
The sun was shining through II sivery
grey mist when he started. In IN hour
the mist was wet and impenetrable, and
rs for the sun, it was gone. noun
taineer would have hurried to shelter, but
Walter marched on, shouting out the
Marsellaise. Why not? None of his
college books had taught him the alphabet
of clouds or Jog or wind. The valise grew
heavier with every mile; the snow had
drifed literally waist deep in the deserted
track, lie determined to try the hills and
make II short cut across them. Go back
he would not. I'll keep my promise TO
my mother, he said,
How long he wandered in that short cut
he never knew The gray branchless
trunks Of oaks and birches stretched their
thick ranks to the horizon; the soft snow
lay beneath, white and trackless ;the sharp
slcet cut his face and took his breath. He
strapped his trunk on his back and plodded
on, his face white and teeth set.
Allons! allons! enfans de Ia patrie. he
fairly yelled, without waiting for the
tune.
1t grew darker but that he thought was
only the closer gathering storm; it was
only when the moon again came out-now
low down the slope of the sky-that he
knew that he had been wandering all day
and far into the night. Another hour
passed. The snow rose higher about his
body; half-crezed that he was, it seemed
living grave creeping up to cover him; {;
it was u matter of life and death now for
him to 90 ON.
But cannot 90 on, he said with white
lips. An awful shivering seized him; for
the first time in his life he lost control of
his limbs. He looked up into the thick
gray clouds with the feeling that God was
there somewhere. lfhe knew Him better,
he would pray to Him. But it was II long
time since he had forgotten to pray; like
many college boys, he thought that was IL
matter for children and women more than
for men.
He unstrapped the valse and put it
down under II dead tree, and then lay
down beside it. The snow was soft and
warm; he could not i9ht against the un-
natural drowsiness.
This is death, then? he said He had
often thought of the agony of that last
I,; nj how m nnull
overcome it with noble thoughts and sol
dierly courage; but now he only thought
how comfortable the snow was, warm rs Il
fealher-bed. If his feet were only dry.
his eyes closed. The fltherry flakes be-
gan to fall on his face.
Suddenly, but little way of, Il roaring
voice began 10 sing
"And the aunts and cousins
Come out by dozens;
All bloc relations to me Lord uonamo,c.7
Walter moved uneasily, and sat up.
The lethargy of coming death WAS heavily
upon him; he knew through it that there
was II chance for life; but rest WAS sweet
er. lie sank down again, Then the boy
remembered his promise, and it stung him
like spur. He got up clapping his arms
weakly to bring back the circulation, and
staggered on IL few steps. Before him
was low hut, constructed Of unplaned
boards, the smoke pouring through II pipe
in the roof.
Ohl it's there you'll hare the thrushes warDling,
In the Wales convanent to swate Bahniad"
The voice was unmistakably vicious and
drunk.
Some blood-thirsty cut-throat, thought
Walter Who else would he watching ut
this time of night? He took off his seal
ring, gold watch and diamond scarf-pin,
and dropped them in his boots. There
was no use tempting him to murder. Then
he walked on and pushed open the door.
/ God save us! shouted II kindly voice,
and with the next breath Walter felt him
self lifted in II pair of strong arms like Il
baby to the fire. The heat overpowered
him. lie tried to speak, and then lay as
if dead on the mans knees.
And it's Christmas day, You say, Jmp
Christmas it is. Here's yer soup now,
hot as blazes. Be the powers, t'll be the
job to stretch the pervsions till tomorrow
ye greedy young gossoon you!
/ Walter laughed and drew himself weak
! ly up in the bead, leaning against the man $
breast, while he ate the steamng mutton
broth out of IL yellow croak. never
tasted anything 50 good, soaking the last
/ drops into Il crust.
Well, three days ago, when ye come to
! that dure. thought it was yer coffin I'd
! be maxim for yees instead of soup" Jim
pulled up the straw pillow ut his back, and
settled his head, stroking back his hair
with finger black, to be sure, but gentle
us woman's. On II chair by the fire
/ hung Walters clothes, clean and dry, but
ragged with dragging through briars and
ROCKS,
If it hadn t been for You, Jim, I'd have
needed coffin soon enough. said Waiter.
Who did you think | was that night? Il
Il little curious to know if his rank had be-
trayed him through his rags and wet.
/ BE inbcrs, thought You were n collier S
boy from the pit. There's one there who
has just he cut Of your face. When |
found your joorly in the boot. knowcd
different nv course. There it is,by the by,
on the shelf He handed it TO Walter,
but the boy let the glttering heap fall on
the bed and took the red grmy hand in
]
Uld Jim! he cried. After Il while he
said. You couldn't have done more fol
me if had been your brother.
jim icrked his hand away with n Sjcksh
He was not giving to talking sentiment.
Dye s'pose any man nd sit still wild Il
boy ircezln' ut his dure? he said gru1lly
but he was pleased. Walter saw it. lie
lay wondering why he had become so fond
of this fellow, who was nothing hut M
Irish laborer. set TO watch the railroad
beside which his hut stood. 1t was not
alone because lie had saved his life; it was
for the strength and tenderness and {;
queer, pathetic humor that lay under his
dirt and Ignorance aud whiskey drink
ing.
So you thought was +. collier boy? he
said presently. Why, I'm one Of the
Duclifs of Philadelphia, jim.
All blood relations to me Lord Dona
more! he sang. Walters face grew red
but he laughed.
The shrek and whistle of II train was
heard Just then, and Jim disappeared will
his flag, and came back grinning with de
light, carrying basket. told the stoke'
about you yesterday, an he fetched bi
Of hnnf and his old woman sent some tay