Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-07-17

Brewster stopped abruptly, and somebody
asked eagerly what happened next what the
Colonel said.
"Ienoir had not known good nighta reat
for weeks lie had been twenty -four hours
in the saddle, " said Brewster, slowly and i'm
pressively. He was worn out physically
and mentally. He had directed his men to
call him at day break the next morning. But
he took my musket up from the rock whore
l had placed II, ordered me to lie down again,
and did duty for me two hours, while was
sleeping"
There was no comment on Brewster's sto-
ry. The account of a noble deed sinks qui-
city into the heart without parade or flourish.
After few moments OF silence some one put
a query in which lurked suggestion.
'Lenoir acted finely at Andersonville, too,
didn't he, Brewster Z"
The lumberman gave n short reioinder,
consulted his watch and rose to 90. Despite
the self depreciation of his narrative, all we're
aware that he had been one Of those noble
specimens of American manhood who had
survived the hoTrOrs of that awful expert
ence, and finally emerged an emaciated wreck
of humanity, whose heroic devotion TO a no
bile principle will resound throughout the ev-
erasting ages. But he could never be be-
trayed into any relation OF his prison expert
ence lie pulled on his driving gloves, nod
ded cool adeuX to the score or more OF loun-
gers, and WAS soon driving at quick pace
up Market street and out Sixth.
For the first few blocks, the we'll paved
street was lined with handsome buildings,
and presented tho appearance Of an import
ant thoroughfare but M he progressed. the
buildings dwindled in stature, and were occa-
sionally alternated with a handsome com
Portable residence, and the pavement grew
uneven. Half mile further on the street
abanHOuaI a all nr al ART troilaH
humbly between one storied warehouses,
leaped a railroad track, lost itself in a maze
of switches, and resumed existence in the
gnise Of wagon road terminating with a
dismal wooden structure, standing in a DESC
late region and hanked on one side by tall
lumber piles. The clerks and day laborers
we're filing away, and the night watchman, a
quiet hammered man, with an unlit lantern
in his hand stood ON the steps
"Well, Martin, what success p
81 gave them warning, sir to clear out
early this morning. and kicked their houses
over after they left, for fear they'd be back
again TO night like rats-that is, sir, all but
one"
Great guns, man Don't you know that
| ones as bad as a dozen | can't get dollar
OF insurance on the stock without paying
double rates, until can satisfy the company
that the whole tribe is gone"
The tribe" referred to by Brewster con.
sisted Of floating population Of disreputa-
BILE vagRbonds allied in character to the
hoodlums and criminals commonly known IA
"vharf- rats" and hay bunkers," who had
squstied on the 'dumps,' and utilized the
tiu cans plontifully scattered over the ground
| in the construction OF a miniature village.
The members OF this sub stratum OF soci-
ety were tabled to exc out their sustenance
by diligont grubbing in the heaps by which
they we're surrounded. They we're looked
on by the police and the public a. a danger
Gus class of citizens and the underwriters
very wisely refused to insure property in
their proximity, at the ordinary rates.
Martin, meanwhile, advanced a lame self
defence
''It vas early, and he hadn't shown him
self, sir. l didn't quite like to knock his
house down about his ears You see, Mr..
Brewster, he's different like from the rest
| quite carries himself above them"
This stammerng communication amused
Brewster. queer notion entered his head
lie woud confront the usurper himself, and
see what manner of creature he was. HC
called TO the office boy, who was walking
down the road, bidding him drive up to the
house and inform his wife that he should be-
detained couple of hours
| The two men, left alone, stood at the win.
dow and looked in the direction OF the razeC
village, to detect some sign of life but they
saw only stray dog, who wandered discon
solately among the ruins, shifting the heaps
OF garbage with a disdainful air.
The light waned, and the serried ranks Of
mist that had been lying in wait amid tn,
western hills and ACROSS the straits closed il
upon the city. The merchant grew impa
tient under the long delay.
81 can't understand, Martin, why you die
not get rid Of this man along with the rest
Did he venture 10 question your authority
or my right to control my property 2"
why, you see, sir, didn't like to speal
rough to the old chap. I'd venture to ga,
he hasn't always been what he is now. Fac
il, didn't speak to him direct. though
he'd take the hint and leave"
My soul
The man shrank from the indignation an,
disgust expressed in his employers tone, theI
FASTENED to smooth away his righteous in
dignation with a happy after thought.
Come TO think of it, haven't seen sigl
of him since yesterday. Like as not he
gone of his own accord, unless"
The watchmAn's face became suddenl,
grave.
"Well, unless whAtl"
Hes lying down there all this time II
was a thin, weskish looking fellow the kin,
that go OF quick, sometimes"
|
Brewster laughed a short, nervous laugh
Pleasant suggestion this, that on his owl
land, not forty rods away, q dead man wa
lying, who had, perhaps persisted from lac
of proper food and care Then q bette
sentiment stirred his heart. He was nal
row-soulod man, but not hard hearted.
Take your lantern and come ahead, Mar
tin no morgue on my premises, if ca
help II.
| -, Al
ness, carefully locking the door behind theI
rs a precaution against lawless intruders. A
they left behind them the tall lumber. pile
with their sweet scent of the woods, and ap
i preached the border OF Mission creek, mala
rial pOsons filed the air, and a host Of un
savory Odors assailed them. Reeking vRpoI
, seemed to arise from the putrid heaps an
clutch at their throats with phantom hngers
Their feet slipped and sank into the masse
of fostering decay. 1t was Brewster's frE
visit TO this choice portion of his recently az
, guired possessions and the thought came I
his mind that 1t WAS poor stick of a ma
who would deny fellow. creature the hosp
tality of such an accursed spot on any otht
grounds than that OF its total uniitness fc
, human occupancy. Suddenly Martin brough
up with a short stop, swinging his lanter
around to illuminate the spot for his employ
A | eT's inspection.
/ Here we are, sir.
, Brewster leaned forward and deserted
, low, irregular structure, not four feet aboV
the ground at its highest point. His preeOI
oeived notions of the style of building ope
ations pursued in these primitive dwelling
: were completely overturned. Instead
Q neat and shining rows of tin cans, rising liz
o upon tier into a pretentious and fancifl
a structure, he beheld a rude framework
a refuse boards, imperfeolly covered with rust
3 strips of tin, an humble defence again
/ wind and weather the merest apology for
q covering lie had time TO take but a ours
a ry glance at these details, when a weak vote
q from the interior hailed the visitors.
Q "Whos there ?"
v Brewster hesitated an instant before repl,
ing. He could not announce himself as
A friend, for his mission was far from friendl
a He resolved 10 present himself on strict
a neutral grounds.
II "YOur landlord"
n "Sorry not to give you more fitting I
n cepuon, mine host but as I'm hardly
v shape TO receive oompany-if yon'l be xii
il enough TO slip your bill under the door"
a Brewster's dignity was offended. 1t W
!. all very we'll for him, the man of proper
a and position 10 eondescend to address jo
i TO the vagabond who trespassed on his