Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-05-04


ent direction to any Of the others, and
as he was riding asay, one of his brother
magistrates asked:
'Arc you not armed, Major?'
"No, sir. What for, at this time OF
day, should like to know"
"Bushrnngers are abroad ut all hours
OF the dry, and l always carry my re-
volycr when l am alone, said the former
speaker.
"Pooh p YVES the Majors somewhat
contemptuous ejaculation 81 am not
afraid Of them.
Nevertheless, as he rode away from the
little village, and looked out on the wide
belt of forest stretching away lonely and
silent before him, and remembered how
few ind far between were the human
dwellings in these solitudes, he could not
but acknowledge to himself that it might
have been better had he brought his re-
volvoi. He had spoken with touch OF
bravalo, for, in truth he had started from
home in hurry, and had forgotten to
take it with him. He carried more mon
ey with him, too, than was consistent
with prudence, having called that morn
ing at the village bankers but he con-
soled himself with the reflection that this
circumstance could not be known to any
stranger he might meet by the way. lie
rode an excellent horse, and trusted to
the t1eetness of his pace should he en-
counter any suspicious-lookinS individual
In common with many people OF his
stamp, he believed thai, call them as you
would, whether by the picturesque colo
nial term of bushranger, which has quite
pleasing sort of sylvan sounding, or by
the more downright and less euphonions
old-world name of highwaymen, all rob
bers must of necessity be cast i'll one
stereotyped and easily recognizable mould
the stout-built, heavy-jawed, sinister
eyed, traditional Bill Sykes type. He
was prepared to keep careful lookout
for such characters, and if he should per-
ceive any of that sort stealing out from
behind big tree, or creeping stealthily
from under the shelter of some wide,
dropping, umbrella shaped fern, or pop
ping up suddenly from behind thick
tuft of rushes, lie felt sure he need but
clap spurs to his trusty steed, i'll order to
be borne far beyond their powers of pur-
suit. 1t was rather ignominious. MS he
could not but feel, even to think OF the
possibility of flight, after his vllorous
words to his associates but, on mature
reflection, he could not but admit the
truth of the axiom that had been pro-
pounded by them, viz that man who
does not carry revolver is not on equal
terms with him that does.
He was not sorry therefore when, on
looking round, he observed n horseman
approaching from the direction of the
very township he had just quilted, and
as the stranger drew nearer, he perceived
the latter to be of youthful and rather
progressing appearance. His dress,
though dusty and travel-stained, was
such in fashion and material Ms gentle
men wear, and fitted him well. His horse,
thorough rel, bore the marks of fati-
que, but the rider sat on him with an
easy grace, which rendered his jaded con-
dition less apparent than it would have
been under management less skillful.
He raised his hat slightly to greet Major
Mornington, and was passing slowly on
ward, when the latter spoke i'll response
to his salute.
you have the advantage Of me, sir, +"
he exclaimed. 81 have not the pleasure
of remembering your face"
He felt lonely, or possibly he would
not have troubled himself to speak TO II
stranger. But people who are newly ar
rived III n country, and are introduced to
an entirely fresh set of acquaintance all
at once, as the Major had recently been,
naturally find it difficult to identify them
Mt first. He did not possess the happy
''royal' faculty of recognition, and was
therefore often perplexed by the elusive
cordality with which he was greeted by
persons whose individuality he vainly
no surprise to find that the young man,
ln 4 i,ar 10 lao,
seen before, appeared to know him quite
well.
"No o. replied the stranger in n CHEEKY
voice. II dare say you do not. But
have seen You on the bench, Major Morn
ington. Our public men are easy to re-
cosnize, you know"
True, true |" said the Major gracious
lv, for he liked to feel that he belonged
to the circle of notable ones whom every
body knows Hitherto, while dwelling
in crowded cities, when he wns but n unit
among vast numbers, that proud con-
seriousness had not come much within his
experience. One likes to DO q great man,
even though it be but in n limited circle.
The deferential manner in which the |
stranger had addressed him impressed
him favorably, and as he looked more
closely at him, he thought the compan-
ionship Of this young and powerfully
made man might be both safer and more
entertaining than lonely ride of some
eighteen miles through the forest ranges
to his home.
(which way are you going?' he asked,
therefore, when they had interchanged n
few commonplaces.
'To X" replied his new scQuaint-
ance, naming township couple of miles
beyond Major Mornington's farm.
why, that is close to my selection"
he said, in tone Of satisfaction. "Are
you settled there p
mo, I am only going tovisit at B."
naming the station of some..wealthy sheep
farmers in the neighborhood, II am well
acquainted with the various families in |
the district, and they all know me pretty
well-at any rate, by name. We have all
heard Of each other, ct least, even though
We do not know each other personally, in
these small circles of society, you see,
he added, with pleasant smile.
well, we may as well ride together,
rs we are going the snme way" the Major
said with condescension, for he felt that |
he was comforting an honor on the young |
man. THAT is, if it is agreeable to
YOU"
"Most happy, if my horse can keep up
with yours, sir. But this is doubtful, for
he is pretty nearly done up, poor beast. "
"You young fellows are too apt to take
it out Of your cattle, and especially in
this country and climate" said Major
Mornington as he eyed the handsome but
sadly iaded horse OF his companion, who,
having accepted the in vitation, was now
riding close by his side. 81 suppose you
are too new.fangled here to remember
the old ndage that bids "a merciful man
I've merciful to his beast ?"
"Mercy is fine quality when you can
afford it, returned the other with light |