Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-01-15
Carried His Own Bundle.

In the dullest part of the dullest county
Of England is situated the little demi-semi-
fashionable bathing town of T..
Once there happened to the said little town
a very dull season. Every town on the coast
besides was full of company-bathers, walk
ers, donkey-riders, saunterers and pebble
gatherersi yet the luckless town of r
was comparatively empty.
| In this state of utter stagnation were af.
fairs at r, when, one hot day in the
middle OF August a stranger was seen TO
enter that town-corporate. The stranger
entered the town in so questionable shape
that the very fourth and fifth castes in T.
stood aloof, holding themselves above him.
Even the shop-keepers, mantua-keepers, and
walters at the taverns, felt their noses curl
up intuitively at him. The groups of lott
erers, collected at the doors of the inns,
passed contemptuous comments on him as
he pursued his way, and the fashionables
that were to be seen on the streets cast su-
percilious glance of careless superiority
upon him, for he was on foot and alone, at
tired in coat, waistcoat, and in short a
whole suit, Of that sort of mixed cloth called
epper-and-salt-colored with a black silk
handkerchief tied about his neck in nau-
tical style. lie wore sea-boots pulled over
hio hhNtS, duu W COlnDltit IHt picture, car
| ried large bundle in a red silk handker-
chief at the end of a stout oaken cudgel
over his shoulder.
"I'll warrant me, Jack, that ere fist of
his would prove a knock k-me.down argu-
ment," said sailor to one of his shipmates,
who was intently surveying the stranger.
Gay, ay, my lad, make yourself sure of
that" replied jack between whom and the
stranger single look of recognition had
been exchanged en- PEASANT.
Hes rum sort of fish, howsomever,"
rejoned the first speaker, "and | wonder
what wind cast him on this shore. He
don't look like a landsman, for all his pep
per-and-salt gear Mayhap you know some
what about him, Jack"
"Mayhap | do" replied Jack, pursuing UP
his mouth with look of Importance " but
| haven't sailed so many years in the kings
service without learning to keep my own
counsel-aye, and another's too, on occa-
sion; and I'd advise you, Ben, my boy, to
take another observation of his fist before
you crack your jokes on him l' said Jack
and Ben having done so, wisely determined
on keeping his distance.
There certainly was characteristic
something in the stranger, from the tie of
his handkerchief to the slight roll in his
gait, that savored of a seafaring life. Even
his way of setting on his hat had not the
look of landsman. The air of sturdy in
dependence with which he shouldered his
bundle and trudged along showed that he
considered the opinion of the bystanders
matter of perfect indifference. Yet
there was that about him which forcibly ar
rested the attention of every one. People
who would not own to themselves that they
thought him worthy of notice, nevertheless
turned around to look at him again.
A sovereign procured him supper and
bed, and all things needful for rest and re.
freshments, at small public house, whose
crazy little creaking sign promised to travel
lers Good entertainment for man and
horse"
The next morning, being disencumbered
of the unpopular bundle at the end of that
oaken cudgel which he still either grasped
or flourished in a most nautical fashion, he
entered the reading-room of the town.
"lt is no use putting down your name,
sir, for you cannot be admitted here was
the answer he received from the superin-
tendent of this fashionable resort.
Not on my paying the usual terms of
subscription :" asked the stranger
No, sir, we cannot admit persons of your
description on any terms, SIT.
persons of my description !" retorted the
stranger, most emphatically, grasping his
rusty cudgel; "and pray, sir, of what de-
scription do you suppose me to be 2"
Can't exactly say, sir, but I'm sure none
of our subscribers would choose to associate
with YOU"
How do you know that you saucy
Jackanapes ~ said the stranger, becoming
a little cholerc
"Why, sir, because, sir we make point
OF being very select, sir, and never, on no
account admit persons of your description"
but it seems that you do not know of
what description | am
Why, sir, no one can expect to keep
these sort of things secret"
What, then, is it whispered about that
am ~
Whispered Lord, sir, it was in every
body's mouth before breakfast "
And what does everybody say ?"
"That you are broken.down miller,
hiding from creditors" And here he cast
a shrewd glance on the threadbare pepper
aud-salts OF the stranger, who regarded him
for moment with a comic expression on
his features, made him a profound bow and
walked off
Not whit humbled by this repulse, the
stranger repaired to the place of general
promenade and took possession of vacant
place at the end of one of the benches, on
which were seated two or three of those i'm.
portant people, who had for time immemo-
rial invested themselves with the dignity of
the head persons of the place.
These worthless did not allow him time
to make their acquaintance but with an air
as ii they dreaded infection, rose and
departed. Not the least discomposed by
the distaste the great men of little T
evinced for his society, the stranger drew
from his pocket box, lighted cigar and
smoked for some time with great relish.
AT length, perceiving new set of loungers
ON the promenade, he dispatched his cigar,
and approaching one of the other benches,
addressed a few courteous though trifling
observations to its occupants, three ladies
and gentleman but had his remarks been
either OF a blasphemous or indelicate nature,
they could not have been received with a
greater appearance of CONSERVATION by the
ladies, who rose alarmed at the liberty the
man had taken, while the gentleman OBJ
served, with most aristocratic demeanor,
that he labored under mistake in address
ing those ladies.
Sir said the stranger, "you are right
took you Tor persons OF politeness and be-
nevolence. Discovering my error, | crave
your pardon aud retire"
Although any reasonable person might
have been satisfied with these specimens of
the inhabitants, still the man who carried
his own bundle persevered in his endeav.
ors to find some liberalminded person
therein. From the highest to the lowest, a
general feeling of suspicion seemed to per
wade the bosoms of ALL and the luckless
stranger resided in the town a whole week
without finding single exception.
The habitual good temper and light
hearted gaiety of the stranger was ruifled
and there was compression on his brow,
aud an angry glow on his cheek, as he entered
that notorious gossip-shop the postofice.
The mail had just arrived, and the letters
having been sorted, were delivered TO their
respective claimants But there was one
letter that had not been claimed, which ex.
cited general curiosity.
According to invariable diurnal custom,
all the town people who had nothing to do
were assembled in or near the postofice-
those who expected letters to receive them,
and those who did not, to take note of the
epistles directed TO their neighbors.
The unclaimed letter was of a tempting
apnaaraucp. gurmOuntad with a oo,o,,at Il