St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-08-16

truder with her handkerchief, brushed
him soundly, and drove him from be-
meath the maple shade. How sweet ,
picture This good deed accomplished
with a quickened breath and a deepe
blush, she stole glance at the youth
full stranger for whom she had been bat
Ting with dragon in the air. He il
handsomel" thought she, and blushed
redder yet. allow sound he sleeps!'
murmured the girl. She departed, bu
did not trip along the road so lightly
as when she came.
Now this girls father was thriving
country merchant in the neighborhood
and happened, at that identical time
to be looking out for just such a young
man as David Swan. Had David form
ed a wayside acquaintance with the
daughter, he would have become the
fathers clerk, and all else in succession
So here again had good fortune-the
best of fortunes-stolen so near that
her garments brushed against him; and
he knew nothing of the matter.
The girl was hardly out of sight
when two men turned aside beneath
the maple shade. Both had dark faces
set off by cloth caps, which were drawn
down aslant over their brows. Their
dresses were shabby, yet had certain
smartness. These were a couple OF
rascals, who got their living by what
ever the devil sent them, and now, in
the interim of other business, had
staked the joint profits of their next
villainy on a game of cards, which was
to be decided here under the trees
But, finding David asleep by the spring
one of the rogues whispered to his fell
low:
Hist! do you see that bundle under
his head 2" The other villain nodded
winked, and leered.
cpl bet you horn of brandy" said
the first, that the chap has either a
pocket book, or a snug little hoard OF
small change, stored away among his
shirts. And if not there, we shall find
it in his pantaloons pocket"
But how if he wakes Z" said the
other. His companion thrust aside his
waistcoat, pointed to the handle of a
dirk, and nodded.
$50 be it, muttered the second vii
lain.
They approached the unconscious
David, and, while one pointed the dag.
ger toward his heart, the other began
to search the bundle beneath his head
Their two faces, grim, wrinkled, and
CHASTITY with guilt and fear, bent over
their victim, looking horrible enough
to be mistaken for fiends, should he
suddenly awake. Nay, had the villains
glanced aside into the spring even they
would hardly have known themselves
as reflected there. But David Swan
had never worn a more tranquil aspect
even when asleep on his mothers
breast.
al must take away the bundle,
whispered one.
eff he stirs, I'll STRIKE" muttered the
other.
But at this moment dog, scenting
along the ground, came beneath the
maple trees, and gazed alternately al
each of these wicked men, and then al
the sleeper.
He then Tapped out of the fountain
Pshaw !" said one villain. We
can do nothing now. The dogs mas
ter must be close behind"
"Let's. take drink and be off," said
the other.
The man with the dagger thrust back
the weapon into his bosom, and drew
forth a pocket pistol, but not of that
kind which kills by single discharge.
1t was a flask of liquor, with block
tin tumbler screwed upon the mouth.
Each drank a comfortable dram, and
left the spot, with 80 many jests and
such laughter at their unaccomplished
wickedness, that they might be said to
have gone on their way rejoicing. In
a few hours they had forgotten the
whole affair, nor once imagined that
the recording angel had written down
the crime of murder against their souls,
in letters as durable as eternity. AS
for David Swan, he still slept quietly,
neither conscious of the shadow OF
death, when it hung over him, nor OF
the glow of renewed life, when the
shadow was withdrawn.
He slept, but no longer so quietly as
at first. An hours repose had snatch
ed from his elastic frame the WEAKNESS
with which many hours of toll had bur-
dened it. Now he stirred now he
moved his lips without sound now
talked, in an inward tone, to the noon
day spectators of his dream. But a
noise of wheels came rattling louder
and louder along the road, until it
dashed through the dispensing mist OF
David's slumber and there was the
stagecoach. He started up with all his
ideas about him. Halloo, driver
Take passenger 2" shouted he.
Groom on topw answered the
driver. Up mounted David, and bowl
ed away merrily toward Boston, with
out as much as parting glance at that
fountain of dream like vicissitude. He
knew not that phantom of wealth had
thrown golden hue upon it's waters,
nor that one of love had sighed softly
to their murmur, nor that one of death
had threatened to crimson them with
his blOod-all in the brief hour since
he lay down to sleep. Sleeping OF
waking, we hear not the airy footsteps
of the strange things that almost hap
pen. Does it not argue superintend-
ing Providence that, while viewless
and unexpected events thrust them
selves continually athwart our path,
there should still be regularity enough
in mortal life to render foresight even
partially available.