Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-05-15
A STRANGE PICTURE.

y VI llAINOL III y llih
was visiting an old undo Of mine who
lives In Bambridgeport, in u four story
brick mansion which I am likely to in
herit. Uncle Claiborne was formerly an
active, enterpr'sing peddlrr fond Of adj
venture, and never slow to relate events in
his personal experience. | remember one
stormy December evening, when the wind
was bowling dsmally outside. and tho
snow driving flerccly against the window
panes, he stirred the log fire n;o a cheer
ful blaze and related to me the following
exciting adventure:
When | was about your age, Moses, |
was reckoned the stoutcst lad and the
most active young pcddlcr in the county,
ready for a fight or a frolic; but while a
constant pedestrian, meeting With no Incl
dent worthy Of testing my courage and
endurance, an event occurred which,
: though not Of the character anticipated,
was sufficiently novel to satisfy for some
time to come my love for personal advent
urc
started OF one week in November With
M pack on my back, Chcerfuliy whistlinS
as | trudgcd through the lonely hyroadS,
where many helpless traveller had been
waylnd, ever aud anon starting as some
jagged stump or guarded oak assumed the
fierce Uuise of a lurking robber.
Toward the evening e a raw. chilly dav
reached the outskirts Of a small village.
reioiccd TO recognize II tavern sign, with
full length figure of Lafayette swinging
in the breeze, 50 marched inside andquite
independently ordered hot supper and q
bed for the night.
The landlord-n burlv, red faced individ-
rlal-cocked his head on one side and con-
,idcratelv Informed me that while the hot
supper might be furnished, not Il bed was
to be had in the house for love or money.
as it was assize week. and every spare room
and closet was occupied
you cunt accommodate me. them" said
I.much disnDpointed
"No," replied he decidedly. 81 am
sorry. Young man, | emit: but seeing il )
a pretty cold night. and no chance of yo1
finding quarters elsewhere. I'll take YOU
in. provided you'u keen watch over "A sici;
man uustairs. and YOU eau have your SUD
per gratis in the bargain"
GLOW far Is it to the next tavcrn9" l
asked. after a short pause, undecided as to
the otlcr
"Ten long miles
looked up the road, thought OF the cold
wind and inhospitable farm houses on my
route, and rather hnstily concluded TO ac-
Govt the strnnfro proposition Of mine nos.
"ynn see Observed he. os he led me into
tlo sumner room, o,yn,vc a man here, a
,.a,,,,., io,,.,,ar SOL, ~ fovnr All bic
frinn5s o,.o tired ont watching win
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