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

TWO MOUNTED MESSENGERS.
then got stifly to the ground and
stamped his feet and stretched himself
as he stood holding his horses bride.
The creature dropped his head low and
steamed in the cool air.
There were two windows in the inn
itself, dimly lighted, as if by freight,
and in another window in the land
ward corner candle flickercd family
The whole place seemed dull and
unfriendly with it's stony walls and
roofs. Rogers grumbled with plaint-
i've whine, his companion shouted
again with a strong, honest voice, and
presently stable door was flung open
and two men came out. Inside, tho
light of an early lantern beamed COM
fortably, and the horses turned their
heads that way, as if eager for their
supper and warm bedding. There was
no sound from within of stamping hoofs
or cry of crowded and biting horses.
The business was evidently at lowest
ebb.
Rub them down well and give them
good feed as soon as you dare; full oats
and scant hay. We must be on our
way again two hours from this at least;
we lost the road and were in haste at
any rate said Weymouth. "I'll come
out and look after them in an hour.
Mind they're not in the wind" he add
ed Come, get down." he said in q
colder tone to his fellow-tra Weller, who,
through WEAKNESS or uncertainty, still
sat his horse like n dropping statue.
"Strille the mud of you; here, I'll help
you, then, as the man gave a groan
and tried to dismount after the
first wrench you're all right Come,
you're none the worse for your croppcr
into clay and mud! Queer inn they
keep here" he said angrily as they
crossed the yard toward the door
whittier one of the hostlers had pointed
them. They could hear a woman's
scolding voice inside before it was
opened.
As the mistress flung it open wide
and stood on the threshold, she babe
her guests good evening in civil tone,
but insisted somewhat ostentatiously
that she desired no guests that night.
the travel had all gone, or been stolen
away to the lower ferry She had some
people already whom she must make a
shift to core for, old Welsh folk who
had boon put into the only room that
could be used. She was giving up her
lease to leave the place
I'VE only ask for supper and a fire,
It's but to rest our horses said Wey.
mouth, boldly making his way into the
inner kitchen where the freight look ed
cheerful Roger followed ruefully
limping and holding his shoulder as il
he We're badly hurt. When he sank in,
to the corner of the settce his head
dropped back as if he were i'll, and his
eyes shut as if their sight swan with
giddiness. Such distress of WEAKNESS
and squalor of mud and wet could no;
but appeal to the beholder
Weymouth stood before the fire
steaming like the horse he had JUS
left and regarded his companion will
pity and surprise. Then he gave him
self another stretch and yawned com
fortably, and taking off his short cloal
spread it carefully upon Il bench
There was Y stout leather wallet at hi
side which he unslung and put by tn,
cloak at the iresidc, handling it a:
lightly as ne could, but not concealinl
the fact OF its weight or that such
broad-ShOuldered man as himself wa
glad TO get rid of it. AS he turnet
again he saw that the landlady hut
stopped her work among pans anc
4
him sharply, but Rogers groaned as i
III his sleep and Weymouth repentec
his contempt and harsh words on tn,
way. His fellow messenger had beer
oflicious in his pretensc of KNOWN.
every turn of road that would bring
them quick and safe to Bristol, but h,
had taken the worst Of his mistake
with so bad a fall, if the color OF hi,
face were any sign, and it grew plai,
that Weymouth must somehow or otheI
find the rest of the way to Bristo
alone. In his heart he hinched for s
moment, knowing what he carried ane
that he was stranger; yet for some
reason he had all that day distrustec
the smiling clerk and his bland anC
double manner, and wished more thar
once that he were riding with a bette,
man.
"Get me some brandy" said Wey
mouth to the landlady, land a glass foI
him when he wakes, n good stiff glass
When he wakes, you know, he'll neet
all that he can drink, twas a har,
ride for so ,oor horseman. I'll leav,
him here tonight; neither he nor hi
horse can go further. | must be on m,
way by ten or as soon as my horse i
fit and has had his feed"
sob, no, poor lad' exclaimed thu
woman, but there was something dis
turbed and dissatisfied in her tone
Hell get 30 no Bristol tonight" sh
added, as she trotted off with nor