The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-01-05

and bad road for lonely traveller to
leave comfortable public behind on
And he says, My horse is at the gate
p at, and he'd better be in the stable,'
and he walks in and orders candles and
supper" . , ,.., o., ..,.. j., q, ,o.
tier breathlessly.
L" He had all he ordered and more,"
said the landlord slowly, "but he went
on that night after ALL" He looked at
his companion, appre ciated the reminis-
cence in the eye of George, the child
like admiration for superior achieve
ment in that of Bill, and pursued:
yes" he went on, "and when he
went he left his gold watch and sneezin
box and nineteen guineas in a red silk
bag. He didn't want 'em where he was
going"
Where was that?"
"Don't tell your Deptford."
They all laughed gayly, and the land
lord took out stone bottle and thick
glass RUNNERS from the corner cup
board.
Ellis majesty, King George, wot
you're 30 fond of-here's his health,
aud our gracious Queen Charlotte, and
long to reign over u.s." George gave
the toast, and they drained their glasses.
Giniverl" said the hosller and adj
ded tentatively, A man could do any
thing wot's drunk Giniver."
Anything short O. murder he could"
assented George, "but it's nothing
short o. murder would do for that dog o.
yourn, Tom"
Indeed, the dogs long, drawn bowls
still disturbed their Christmas festivi-
ties. Moved by this incongruity, the
landlord went out and kicked it.
"Can't you shut the door," he asked.
"This amt no weather for a poor man
with his living to get and his pockets
as empty as the day he was born"
"Well," said the landlord, "our
pockets was empty enough last Christ
mas here, afore that ole gentleman
called"
And still no sound from the room up
stairs.
"There's another purse up there this
night" remarked the footpad, "wait-
ing for them as is sportsmen enough to
take 1t, as two bold lads did last Christ
mas eve."
"And another old man," he said.
81 was the man that did it, and sup.
pose it'll be my job again. That dog
howls fit to wake the dead. I don't
like this indoors work, with doors and
curtains and stairs a-creaking and hay
ing to wash your hands this weather.
I'm man that earns his living in the
open air, l am, where things is straight
forward and nothing can't come creep
ing up behind you without your seeing
it.0
The landlord suddenly lifted the
wooden latch OF the inner door, held
his candle above his head and peered
into the darkness.
Ono one there" he said, "and 1
could have sworn that minute heard
breath. / don't like your talk to.
night, George. Wake the dead and
washing of your hands indeedl Amt
it enough tor
He stopped abruptly to pour out
more spirit.
"Oh, let him talk, masterl" cried
the hostler. sit puts heart into man,
it do, talking over old times"
oOoiSC CnuChlcu RIlmly, anu WU6u
he had drained his glass he said cheer
fully:
"Aye, that does it. 1t all comes
back to me. 1t was him as held the
light by the door when run in, and it
was me as He bled very free, he
did, very free"
"Yes, L held the light, though much
against my wish, mind you. Thank
them as be-" said the landlord, regard.
ing his grimy fingers with satisfaction
-"thank them as be, my hands is
Clean"
"They won't be clean long then. It's
me what holds the light to night" said
George firmly, and he took the candle
and walked to the foot of the STARE.
"Not sound" he said.
The landlord had risen, the shock
headed man shifted his big shoulder on
the bench where he lay, and the ex-
preston rose in his face OF terrier
awaiting with eager nose the rush from
cover of his first rat.
IT," said he hesitatingly-" it
comes to that, you can both hold the
than them guineas should
get up and ride off in the morning. l |
know young man what would as lief
hold billhook as candle any day of
the week."
en- just listen once again, IL 30 be
he's soundly off," and he disappeared |