Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-05-12


him.
Come, old pard," said tho younger
OF tho two men who had been dis
cussing himi "comc, rouse yourself
We aro going TO walk over to the
towns won't you 90 with ns'
Johnson looked at them sharply,
and shook his head sadly. But he
made no response, and the speaker
continued;
"What Il tic use Of being in the
dumps all tho timoi II anything
went wrong with yon before you came
here, there's no, use IN everlasting
mourning ovorit, There isn't any ol us
but what has made a mistep some
time"
"Ycu don't know what You are
talking about, boys" was the fierce
answer, and the eyes flashed fire, and
tho hands were clinched. But almost
instantly the irown disappeared from
his face, and the fingers were relaxed,
and he continued;
"But you mean kindly
"Of course do. / cant bear to
see you sit moplng all the time, for
you have proved yourself good and
truo man--one that will do TO tie to,
and they are mighty scarce in this cut
throat country
"You are right; but tho devils are
not all to be found here,' was hissed
back with all the venomous malignlty
of u serpent. j could tell you u
story that-no matter. Go to the
town and enjoy yourselves ! will
stay and keep guard"
"By Mount Shasta!' was the half.
laughing aud half-earnest response
81 wouldn't like to have seriously Of
tended you, for know You are one ol
the kind that never forgets and never
forcives.'
"Never, until death y was the firm
and solemn answer.
Sand yet, Johnson, you don't op.
pear to be at enmity with the world.
in fact arc kindly disposed to all man,
kind"
"All but one All but one!" and
the scowl became black as thunder
frcighted cloud, and the hands were
clinched until the rails must have
been painfully driven into the flesh.
II wouldn't like to be him; no, no,
not for thousand ounces"
$50 on your walk. You have
aroused feelings l was trying to crush
under. ap iron heel, and choke out OF
nv heart. There dwells upon the
earth but a single man / hate, and
God help him if he ever comes within
my power. For two years | have
lived in hell worse than any that car
come in the hereafter, and-but 60 on
to the town. I have already said toe
much and will not be tempted to say
more"
With these bitter words he starteo
up suddenly and dashed in'o the cab
in, and they saw him sitting in hi'
tavorite attitude, elbows npon knees
and head upon clenched hands, anc
with his frame shaking cohvulsively
4 Well knowing by experience how
useless it was to argue with him, they
turned away, visited the little settle
ment, and returned at late hour
somewhat hilarious from libations
Their companion lay wrapped in hi
blankets, and apparently in soupe
slumber. At least he took no heed o
, their boistrous conversation uutil they
came to speak OF fresh arrival. Then
unnoticcd by them, he slightly raised
himself and listened attentively.
81 tell you," said one to the other
he is as sharp as lightning, but didn'
play fair-cheated every chance hi
got, and If ne don't mind will get hi
, comb cut. The boys won't stant
such things"
, "You're right. But he is the hand
soonest man ever saw and has The
: most winning way
"Yes, and yet there's something
, about his face-can't exactly say wha
, it is-that tells of bad heart at leas
, to me-"
J "Pshaw! You are always tancyinl
3 such things. Let the gay gambolie
MO. He is nothing to us, and you be-
, be won't win any OF my dust. Bu
I'm tired and going to turn in
, The fatigue of the day and the un
, usual amount of drinking they had in
dulged in soon told upon them, ant
their sleep was such that the ferces
} lightning and the most heavy thunder