Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-09-21

M@zsM if.NEt1F on the driver
To right and left of the highway
stretched bleak and bare prospect of
marshland and moorland. closed to the
west by sky Of ever-deepening red
ness, and relieved here and there by
black clumps Of stunted woodland.
Here and there peeped solitary farm
house. with outlying fields Of swampy
greenness, where lean and spectral
cattle were lugubriously grazing; and
ever and anon came a glimpse of some
lonely lake or tarn, fringed all round
with thick sedges and dotted with
water lilies. The road was as desolate
as the prospect, with not a living soul
upon Il, far as the eye could see. To
all this, however the driver of the
caravan paid little attention, owing
to the simple fact that he was fast
asleep.
He was reused by a sudden jolting
and swaying of the clumsy vehicle,
combined with a sound of splashing
water. and. opening his eyes sleepily.
he perceived that the gray mare had
turned aside from, the center of the
road, and having plaeidly entered a
stagnant pond on the roadside was
foundering and struggling in the mud
thereof. with the caravan rocking be-
hind her At the same moment a
head was thrust round the back part
of the vehicle, and an angry voice eX-
claimed:
"Tiln. you scoundrel where the
deuce are you driving to2 Wake up,
or III break every bone in your skin. :"
Thus addressed. Tim woke himself
with an effort. and, looking round with
an insinuating smile, replied:
"Begorra, Master Charles, ! thought
it was an earthquake entirely. Come
ont Of that now. Is it wanting to
drownd yourself you are? G-r-r-rl Shl
Aisy now. aisyr
The latter portion Of the above SEN
tence was addressed TO the mare,
which was at last persuaded to wade
ont of the cool mud and return to the
dusty track. where she stood quivering
and painting No sooner was the re-
turn to terra frma accomplished than
a light, agile figure descended the
steps at the back of the caravan, and
round TO the front. An excited colo
any. angry on the one side, and apollo
petic on the other, ensued. and did not
cease. even when the driver, with
flick Of his whip, put the caravan
again in motion, while the other strobe
alongside on foot.
1t was just such a caravan as may be
seen any summer day forming part Of
the camp on an English common, with
the swart face of a gypsy woman look
inc out at the door. and half dozen
Jagged imps and elves rolling on the
grass beneath; as may be observed,
smothered in wickerworh Of al de-
scriptions. or glittering pots and pans
moving from door to door in some
sleepy country town, guided by a
gloomy gentleman in velveteen coat
and n hare skin cap. and attended by a
brawny hussy also smothered IN wick
erwork or pots and pans; as, further
more. NAV be deserted, forming part
of the procession of travelling circus,
and drawn by piebald horse which,
whenever a good pitch IS found, Will
complete its days labors by perform
ances on the ring. A caravan of the
Good old English kind; with small win
dows. ornamented by white muslin
curtains. with a chimney atop for
the smoke to come through from
the fire inside: with door behind, or
namented with knocker, and only
hacking door plate to make it quite
complete: in short, house on wheels-
The driver, though rough enough
.nd red with sun and wind, had moth
inc in common with the ordinary
drivers of such vehicles, and, in point
~ fact. he was neither a gypsy nor a
travelling tinker nor a circus perform
or Though il was summer time he
wore a large frieze coat. descending
almost TO his heels, and on his head a
vvideawalxe hat-underneath which his
law. beardless and somewhat sheep
isb face sbone with indolent good hu-
NOR. His companion. Master Charles.
a. he was called. bore still less resem-
blance to the Bohemians of English
laneS and woodlands He was a
slight. handsome. fair-haired young
tellow. ~ two OF three and twenty, in
the tweed attire of an ordinary sum