Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-01-07
PETER RICKETTS, HERO.
BY Kate Jordan.
copyright, 1897, by the Author.l
CHAPTER /

I Il.Al / lIO |.
Broadway ON morning early in FEB
ruaIy, 1850. Young Peter Rickct, an
actor in the theatcr ON Nassau street.
whore he nightly appeared in 1.-The
Beau In the Sudds,' started out for "A
walk. Even among the brilliantly plum
aged throng passing up and down be-
fore Trinity church ON that crisp Feb
ruary morning he was Il conspicuous
figure, for Peter was a fop, and great
many people considered him fool be-.
cause of his fancy for gay clothes But
they were wrong, as you will see.
He wore a cinnamon rolured cloth
coat quite to the knees, with moth eat
On beaver four or five inches deep upon
1t, red breeches, dove colored hose, Il
red satin waistcoat which had once
played conspicuous part in THE Re
cruiting Officer" low bucklod shoes, IL
hat of brown felt trimmed with sill
yer band, his periwig tied with faded
yellow ribbon. He poised cane light
ly i'll one hand; the other was thrust in
his breeches pocket, and he had exactly
IS. sd. in his purse
Peter was Of "a romantic, volatile dis
position. He loved the mysterious, the
adventurous. In the quiet of his little
room on Pearl street he had written Il
dozen unpublished romanccs, most of
them founded on Captain kidd's nd
ventures, and he scribblcd sentimental
sonnots to mistress who as yet was
purely ideal. Humming line from
THE Beggar's OPERA he minced
along, twiIling his cane after the man.
ner Of the men about town and watch
ing the scene about him with a lively
interest.
The middle of the street was covered
with hard, glittering snow, and Dutch
market women flew over it on skates.
baskets poised on their heads or strapped
to their backs. He caught glimpses Of
sedate, puckered and powdered beauties
in sedan chairs. Wealthy matrons
brushed by him in green and gold bro
cade, hoop potticOats, powdered hair
and checks touched with French red and
pearl powder. Negroes direct from
Abyssjnia or Madagascar, some with the
insignia branded upon cheeks and lrows
which told they were princes in their
own land, followed these rustling DANES
carrying their shawls and packages
Besides these there was Il bowilderiug
cosmopolitan mixture of cOuntrymcn in
homospun-Indian servants, the prison
els ofwar; solid, soberly attircd Dutch
"vrows;" soldiers, Hugucnots, Jews,
each in characteristic costume.
As Peter passed the new cemetery a
young man approached, dressed in u
queer, scallop hat and long cloak folded
closely about him and followed by Il
tall Hindoo servant in native dress.
Peter stood still as his eyes fell upon
him. 1t was the stranger who had so
fascinated him at the playhouse every
night for the past fortnight. Who was
he, this strangely attired, dark eyed
man, wearing no wig and with close
cut hair, white as the untrudden snow
on the graves near by? He was undoubt-
eddy young, despite his white hair and
the unalterable sadness of his gaze,
which was nevertheless eager as he
looked searchingly into the face Of
every man who passed.
Il warrant me this man is of no COM
mon stamp, unused Peter, his magma
ton aglow. "His garh is strange, and
there seems to be a history in his face.
l would knew him. l could not sleep
last night for thinking of him. 1t may
be he is Jesuit in hiding" And he
turned upon his heel and followed the
pair, who by this time had passed him.
AS they nearcd John street there was
sudden commOtion among the crowd.
Women shrieked, few tainted, and a
rush was made for the houses Not far
ahead a strange animal with foaming
jaws and glistening teeth could be seen
and behind it a shouting crowd. 1t was
only a wildcat chased by ii score Of men
and boys carrying spikes, muskets and
bricks, 1t was nothing strange in those
days for an occasional hungry bear or
wildcat to leave the forests on the up
per part of tho island-that is, beyond
the gates at Warren strickland make
its appearance in the city, lean and raw
enOuS for food.
In the excitement Peter lost sight Of
the interesting stranger. He espied the
Hindoo in the same plight, looking
wildly about him and pushing his way
among the excited people so violently,
indeed, that be toppled headlong against
an apoplectio English grandee, who, be-
fore stepping into his chariot, was tax
ing pinch Of snuff to quiet his nerves.
Without a seconds delay the grandee
angrily turned and laid the Hindoo on
his face on the pavement.
"Puh, poh! I'll teach you, you dog,
to knock against a gentleman he
shouted, with an oath.
Peter darteI to the Hindoo's side as
thechariot drove off and assisted him
to rise.
NAY, do not waste your curses on
him." said Peter Indignantly as he
wiped the snow from the Hindoo's
shoulders and replaced his turban. "My
word, that man is beast. Pray, let
ne assist you to walk, and together we
will search for your master"
"You know him? You know my mas
teri" he asked ouriously in excellent
English.
"By sight only. All. yonder he