The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-06-02


exercise in the bracing mountain air filed
know me. You know iha, never once
have left the straight and narrow way 10
Join 10 the denominations over there, point
ing to tho camp as he spoke
out the hollows in the younger face, aud
eraeed its marks Of dissipation.
Gradually the two were drawn together
by strong bond OF afection-all the
stronger, perhaps from its quiet undemon'
strstiyeness. for the young man became
i'm bued with the silent way Of the solitary
old man, and unconsciously fell into them
himself.
Yet there were times when, sitting by
the fire before the tent the two spoke oi
the results Ct their labors and their hopes
OF striking il, and OF how, in that event
their future lives should be shaped, For
il was tactily understood they we're to be
spent together At such times, too. the
young man often spoke Of his past, dwell
ling with curious pertinacity upon the
father he had never seen, and always end
ing by saying. ina softened voice, He
mightnt have been so bad after all. 10
these retrospections the deacon always
listenel ia silence. sitting before the fire
in his old musing way, and falling into fits
Of abstraction which lasted long after the
other had ceased speaking.
Amos, said the deacon one evening, /
am eIpectin the final payment on the
Green Mountain boy. 1t ough to come
day after tomorrow, and as We are run
ming short in thegrub line, suppose we go
to the city, get the money, and lay in a
new supply
As you will, deacon, the other replied.
And so in the morning they set out,
driving the bmro before them. Towards
evening, AZ they drew near the city, Amos
began to betray signs of uneasiness
Deacon, said he, at length you have new
er thought it might get us both into
trouble if Twas seen in the city after
what told you that first night. you re-
member?
True boy, the deacon replied, as he
stopped still. had forgotten about it.
1t would be best, think, Amos continu-
ed, indicating the spot with his hand as
he spoke, for me to camp tonight in this
little gulch off the trail. You can 60 on
to the city and will await your return in
the morning.
So they separated and the deacon went on
alone. 1t was late when he arrived; the
express office was still open, however,
pending the arrival of the coach, then due.
After having waited vainly for its coming
for some little time, he walked away, and
sought lodgings Tor the night.
The next morning he found the city in
q state of excitement The incoming
coach had been held mp the night before
by single road agent, and parties were
even now in search OF the depredator
Hnrrying to the express Office, the deacon
ltaTIeu tuht tApcS'et push"6p
had been taken with the rest.
The loss uo-. hard upon the deacon, for
it had been all he had expect the little now
in his possession. This however, he now
expended in provisions, and, packing the
b,oro set out to rejoin his companion.
Arrived at the spot where the two had
parted he found no one. Vainly he shout
ed and waited; there WAS no response.
He has gotten tired of waiting, and re-
turned alone to the tent, thought the dea-
con, and, SO thinking hurried onward to
the tent also. But he was again disap-
pointed there was no one there.
Mechanically the deacon drew off the
pack and released the bu,ro to Craze: Then,
for the first time he began TO connect the
robbery Of the coach with his partner dis
appearance.
He could not do it-he would not NUT
tered the deacon. as he walked to and fro,
shouting at intervals and listening yainly
for q reply.
And yet for all his protestations the
thought would intrude itself, causing him
to walk about in agitation and mutter
again and again. He could not-he would
| not! And still he was more shocked than
surprised, when at nightfall party came
up the trail with his partner in their
midst.
Deacon said the spokesman, as they
gathered about the little tent, we brought
him here at his last request, for it's clear
case against him. He was caught sulking
about the trail thi. morning. and we found
this on him, and the speaker extended a
package.
Mechanically the deacon took it, saw it
was still sealed and also it was the pack.
age he had been expecting. Then in
dazed way he looked at his partner stand
ing with his eyes fixed on the ground, aud
and the old, sullen, despondent look on
his face. Raising his eyes he met the dea-
cons for an instant ard read the horror in
his face.
/ see you too have judged me, he said
in voice so low as to be nearly inaudi-
bic. Well, so bebt; ] can but die like a
man and An innocent one, too; for, deacon,
and he faced the old man with a steady
look, / fonnd that package in the trail
this morning. had grown tired OF wait
ing and started towards the camp TO meet
yon. When picked it up knew some.
thing was wrong. aud IT flashed upon me
to keep out OF sight, especially after what
had happened before. asked them to
bring me here that might tell you the
truth. and tell you also appreciated your
kindness. have nothing more 10 say, be
a A.