Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1895-08-08


England. The senior partner of the
house, white-haired, sage-looking
inancier, was cautioning hiscompanion,
who evidently had their business en-
erprise very much at heart. There
was something eager and adventurous
n the younger mans appearance, in
spite of the look that betrayed the
tountry squire and lawyer that he was.
The bank, personifled by the elder man,
mas making an investment quite apart
rom its usual steady customs, to join
he squire who was putting a good
bit of mopey into venture by sea.
This money was to be forwarded to the
bort of Bristol to be shipped, and the
Two capitalists had received news from
he captain of the vessel that he was
FAILING much sooner than had been
his first intention. The difficulty was
o find a proper messenger at such
bhort notice, and the squire, who was
something of a sportsman, had come to
kay that he had fallen in unexpectedly
with a horse dealer, a very honest man,
fearless and a good rider, whom he had
Known for many years, and who, fortu-
hately, was on his way to Bristol the
mex, day but one.
The only defect he has is in being
stranger to the roads hereabouts; |
mean between here and Bristol, said
the squire. But Rogers. you say, can
90 with him, and knows the way well.
Weymouth has an English tongue in
MS head, but with so much gold 70
carry man is sometimes glad to take
b short cut, or different turn, espe-
cially in these days whore there is so
much tramping and thievery. You
never know whom YOU fall in with on
the road. l must say l never liked the
looks of Rogers"
The squire turned quickly from the
window where he stood with hands
deep in his pockets, looking out in the
street, and saw Rogers himself, who had
come, soft-footed as cat, from tho
butter room to stand behind the senior
partner. The squire stared at him an
grily.
II knocked, sir" said Rogers, defer
entiaLy.
81 should hope So" answered the
squire with GOODNESS. But the clerk
seemed to take no offense, and depart
led on tiptoe after handing some checks
TO his chief The old man flushed lit
tie and was disturbed. Rogers was his
laily companion and made himself
quite indispensable. To the squire he
WAS only subordinate, and apt to be
presuming and curious.
81 don't like him, in spite of all you
Say" the squire grumblcd to the senior
z. ~. /
softly closed.
We'll, perhaps not as a companion, )"
agreed the old gentleman with smile.
''I thought he looked crafty and sneak
ish myself at first sight, but he has
been perfectly faithful and steady
these six or eight years now, and l long
ago gave up suspecting Rogers. He is
curious, perhaps, but harmless, harm
less"
Hell wait forever for his chance,
but he'll take it when he gets it," said
the squire. THAT is, If | know any
thing of human nature. wish we had
our money all in notes instead of so
much gold bat we cannot risk the
chance of our changing the notes in
Bristol before the Mary and Bell sets
sail. And my man Weymouth can
hold his own, III warrant him. | hope
he'll be prompt about starting. He as
much as told me that it was not all bust
ness that keeps him here; he is paying
attention to young woman whom he
hopes to marry. But he's man Of his
word. It's good bit Of work for him
and money easily earned, as you may
SAY, since he was going to Bristol a day
later, at any rate"
The squire took his riding stick and
gloves from the table and babe his old
friend good morning, They shook
hands heartily and had cheerful word
or two about their business and its
probable success.
'See that they start at six o'clock
Sunday morning, or even earlier" the
younger man turned back to say. "The
roads are heavy already with SO much
rain, and if ! don't mistake the signs
there's more coming, They can't get
to Bristol at best before night. | don't
know what sort of mount Rogers
will get, He'll soon worry good
horse out of his wits, should think
Tell him that Henderson is set upon
sailing early"
He'll wait tide for his money,
said the senior partner with assurance
tapping the arm of his chair. Hes 6
prompt man, is Henderson, and an ex
cellent shipmaster, but eighteen huk
cred pounds is "A good sum to miss; his
luck depends on getting it, you know
Still, III tell Rogers. Take glass o.
Madeira before you go; will you joir
me, sir, tits toward noon"
AS night was falling two mounted
messengers, spattered with mud from
cap to stirrup, were riding YEARLY
along deep, worn country lane. They
were in The north part of the county o.
Somerset, near the waters of the Sew
ern. The lane itself, deserted enough
that night, was great thoroughfar,
Tor those who came froip the south and
west to cross over into Wales. BY thi'
immemorial stream of travel and tho
wearing of the weather it had beer
worn like a swift streams channel
deep below the level of the country
One of the riders kept glnncing fear
fully at the bushy banks above him, a
II he expected to see a head in tn,
thicket peering down. The other maj
rode straight and stern in his saddle
and took no notice of anything but hi
horse and the slippery road.
As they came, riding northward sid,
by side, to the top Of little hill, Rog