The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-02-07

for ward the open book with his left
"Here it is; here is the record OF m
deed-dates and all, as | and you, too
sir, we'll knew them to be. Look at 1T
sir, and restore me my property, @
confess yourself a villian"'
AT this juncture Peters, who hat
covertly reversed the loaded whip h
carried in his hand, that he nigh
strike more effectually, suddenly ros
in his stirups, and aimed furiou
blow at the head of his accuser. Blu
as sudden and unexpected as was tn
dastardly movement, WOODBURY. threw
up his cane in time to arrest and parr,
the descending implement, when
quick as thought, he paid back the in
tended blow with force, of which, il
the madness of the moment. he wal
little conscious. full on the exposed
head of his antagonist, who, curling
like a struck bullock beneath the fear
full stroke, rolled heavily from his sad
die on the ground. The exclamation
of triumph that rose to the lips of the
victor died in his throat, as he took q
second glance at the motionless form
and corpse like aspect Of the victim
and, recoiling step, he stood aghast
at. the thought of what he had done.
After standing minute with his eyes
riveted on the face of his PROSTATE foe,
WOODBURY., arousing himself, hurried
forward, and, raising the head, chafed
the temples and wrists moment, and
then felt for the pulse, when, finding
no signs of life he suddenly relin-
quished his hold, and with a look of
horror and unutterable distress, hasti-
ly fled from the spot, muttering as he
went, A murderer to crown the host
of misfortunes-a murderer!'
Soon striking off into deep glade,
diverging from the public way, he con-
tinued his course, with rapid step
and troubled brow, on through the
woods and back pastures, till he gain
ed unobserved, the rear of his cabin,
when. entering, he threw himself into
chair, and, burying his face in his
hands, sat many minutes motionless
and silent, apparently engaged in deep
and anxious thought. At length, he
arose with a more composed look, and
proceeded to make up a pack of his
wardrobe, with such valuables as could
be conveniently carried, including his
mothers Bible. He then fitted his
pack on his shoulders, took down his
gun and ammunition, and, throwing
a sorrowful farewell glance round the
lonely apartment, left the house, and
bent his course for the woods, in
northerly direction.
After travelling in the woods and
unfrequented fields about two miles,
he came in sight of the point of inter
SC ction between the road near which
he had been holding his course, and
road coming into it from the central
parts of the town. Here, concluding
to pause till the approaching darkness
should more perfectly screen him, be-
fore going out into the main thorough
fare leading up the Connecticut, he
sat down on a log within the bode Of
the woods. and again gave way to the
feelings and moody refec
tons that still painfully oppressed |
him. His meditations, however, were
soon disturbed by the quick, heavy |
tread of some animal, which seemed
10 be approaching in the woods, at no
great distance behind him. Instantly
1eering out through the thicket in
which he had ensconced himself, he
'oon, to his great surprise. described a
descending difficult ledge,
Gaping old windfalls, and making his
way through all the opposing obsta Giles
If the forest with wonderful facility,
directly towards the spot where he
tood concealed in the thicket Know
ng that, whatever might be the OBJ ject
If the person approaching. it would be
he wisest course to remain in his
overt from which he could not move
and his curiosity being
excited by the appearance of horse
nan in spot that would have scarce
Y been deemed passable for wild
leer, he kept his stand and continued
o regard the advancing figure with
he most lively interest But owing to
he thickness of the now full leaved
underground, and the duskiness that
~ this time had gathered in the
crest, he could only catch occasional
,limpses of either horse or rider,
which enabled him to ascertain nothing
more than that they both were quite
and as it struck him,
ather oddly accoutred. They contin
led to advance directly towards him
i'll within fifty yards of his covert,
phen the horse, in emerging from
lump of bushes, which still enveloped
he ridGer, stopped short, and, looking
eenly INTO the thicket, gave quick,
ignificant snort.
What's in the wind now, Light
oot?" said the rider to his horse, as,
arting the obstructing foliage with
is hands, he thrust out his head, and
isclosed to the surprised and graft
led Woodburn the ell-known visage
+ his trusty friend, Barty Burt
This is, indeed, unexpected, Bart, /.
aid WOODBURY., stepping out into.plain
eiw
Harry !" exclaimed the other,
greeably surprised in turn "but are
on sure there are no more of you |
lere in the bush?" he added, with
autious glance at the thicket.
Yes, | am alone here" answered
lie former.
"Well, l vags now!' resumed Bart,
rawing long breath, and riding for
ard vags, if don't begin to feel
lther ticklish when Lightfoot gives
e that hint to look out for snakes,
lst now. But the case amt quite
hat it might have been, considering.
Considering what?"
81 know
"Of course you do, as we'll as what
rought you here with horse, in so
range place for horseback excur-
on