Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-23

wnllo others surmlsed That the temptef
had decoycd her into dismal quagmire,
on the top of which her hat was found
lying. In confirmation of this, it was
said great black man, with an axe on
his shoulder, was seen late that very eve
ming coming out of the swamp, carrying
bundle tied in check apron, with an
air of surly triumph.
The most current and probable story,
however, observes that Tom Walker grew
so anxious about the fate of his wife and
his property that he set out at length to
seek them both at the Indian fort. Dur
ing n long summers afternoon he search
ed about the gloomy place, but no wife
was to be seen. He called her name re-
peatedly, but she was nowhere to be
heard. The bittern alone responded to
his voice, MS it flew screaming by or the
bull-frog croaked dolefully from neigh
boring pool.
AT length, it is said, Just in the brown
hour of twilight, when the owls began to
boot, and the bats to fit about, his atten-
ton was attracted by the clamor of car
rion crows lowering about cypress tree.
He looked up, and beheld n bundle tied
in n check apron, and hanging in the
branches Of the tree, with great vulture
perched hard by, MS if keeping watch
upon it. He leaped with JOY for he
recognized his wife's apron, and supposed
it to contain the household valuables
"Let us get hold of the property"
said he, consolingly to himself, ''and we
will endeavor to do without the wO-
man."
As he scrambled up the tree, the vul-
ture spread its wide wings, and sailed
of screaming into the deep shadows of
the forest. Tom seized the check apron,
but, woeful sight found nothing but n
heart and liver tied up in it
Such, according to this most authentic
old story, was all that was to be found of
Tens wife. She had probably attempt
ed to deal with the black man MS she had
been accustomed TO deal with her hus-
band but though female scold is gen
orally considered match for the devil.
yet i'll this instance she appears to have
had the worst of it. She must have died
game, however for it is said Tom no.
ticed many prints of cloven feet deeply
stamped about the tree, and found hand
fuls of hair, that looked as if they had
been pluckcd from the coarse black shock
of the woodman. Tom knew his wife's
prowess by experience. He shrugged
his shoulders, as he looked Mt the signs of
n fierce clapper-clawing. "Egad," said he
to himself, "Old Scratch must have had
n tough time of 1t ~
Tom consolcd himself for the loss of
his property, with the loss of his wife,
for he was a man Of forttudc. He even
felt something like gratitude toward the |
black woodman, who, he considered, had
lone him kindness. He sought, there
fore, to cultivate n FIJI tther acquaintance
with him, but for some time without sue
cess the old blGck-legs played shy, for
people may think, he is not al
ways to be had for calling for he knows
how to play his cards when pretty sure of
his game
At length, il is snid, when delay had
Shetted Toms oagerness to the quick,
md prepared him to agree to anything
rather than not gain the promised treas
Ire, he met the black man one evening in
lis usual woolman's dress, with his ax on
lis shoulder, sauntcriug along the swamp,
md humming tune. He affected to re-
Give Toms advances with great indiffer-
'nce, made brief replies, AID went on
cumming his tune.
BY degrees, however, Tom brought him
% business, and they began to hagglc
lbout the terms on which the former was
% have the pirarc's treasure. There was
)ne condition which need not be men
Toned, being generally understood IN all
,ases where the devil grants favors but
hero were others about which, though of
ess Importance, he was infleXibly obsti-
late. He insisted that the money found
through his means should be employed
IL his service. He proposed, therefore,
hat Tom should employ it in the black
raflic that is to say, that he should fit
nut a slave-slip. This, however, Tom
esolutely refused !; he was bad enough
u all conscience but the devil himself
ould not tempt him to turn slave-trader.
Finding Tom SO squeamish on this
'oint, he did not insist upon it, but pro-
,osed, instead, that he should turn usur-
r. the devil being extremely anxious for
he increase of usurers, looking upon
hem as his peculiar people.
To this no objections were made, for it
vas Just to Toms taste.
you shall open brokers' shop in
Boston next month";" said the black
nan.
I'll do it tomorrow, ii you wish,
aid Tom Walker.
"You shall lend money at two per cent
month";"
"Egad, I'll charge four" replied Tom
Walker.
"You shall extort bonds, foreclosc
mortgages, drive the merchants to bank
uptcy"--
"I'll drive them to the d." cried
Tom Walker.
"You are the usurer for my money y
aid blacklegs with delight. "When will
'ou want the rhino q
"This very night"
Done !" said the devil.
Done" said Tom Walker so they
hook hand5 and struck bargain
A few days time saw Tom Walker seat
d behind his desk in counting house in
Boston.
Toms reputation for ready-moneyed
nan, who would lend money out for n
rood consideration, soon spread abroad.
Everybody remembers the time of Gov
rnor Belcher, when money was particu-
arly scarce. 1t was time of paper