The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-07-05
THIRTY PIECES
OF SILVER.

Two travellers In sober apparel, and
riding sleek, well-fed nags. were the
only wayfarers on the road, as far as
the eye could reach. Without them,
the weird loneliness of the November
landscape would have missed its last
touch of desolation for the dripping,
gray-green sed2es, intersected with
sulky little streams, and bitches, which
looked like faded grogram ribbons
with frayed edges, the sodden road
with It's deep ruts forming brownish-
gray pools, and the leaden-gray sky
against which the leafless branches of
the one pollard willow were extended
as though imploring respite from fur
Their rainfall blended themselves into
a sombre background that was wholly
harmonious.
Only as the two horses. heavy with
mud, laboriously climbed the steep,
slippery hill, did the entrance of human
beings bring the element of unrest into
the scene.
you climb cautiously, sir" observed
the younger to the elder man, with a
slight smile. Their difference in age
could be but that of year or two.
The older traveller, a clean-shaven,
firm jawed man, OF Enthusiastically
Scotch physiognomy replied calmly;
81 am afraid"
The other-his name was Ftzroy-
suddenly refined In his horse His
companion answered the amazed ques-
ton in his eyes
"Of falling-have a care, sir, or you
will do it yourself The mud is slip
perry; my horse carries a heavy load,
and | have no mind for riding into
town with torn cloak or despatched
person"
you are wise, sir" said Fitzroy.
"The merciful man is merciful to his
beast, his person and his garments!
1t hath been long years since | valued
any of these, and, therefore, as you per-
ceive," noticing the other mans narrow
scrutiny, Il have had many fall in
the mire."
Tut! AS to that, we are both miry.
TITS these pestlferous roads, after the
rains. The stable boys at the Golden
Goblet shall scrape off some of it, when
we have dined."
Again Fitzroy's horse reared back
sharply, and again amazement stared
from his eyes. THE Golden Goblet?
Are you bound to dine there? Then
L. our ways part, sir; though l am 10th
to leave pleasant company"
But how now" in establishment
equally blank. Where else should we
dine, save at the inn? Pardon me, sir,
but your behaviour Is certainly most
strange"
A dull red had risen in Fitzroy' s
cheeks. He gaZed at the ground with
out answer.
If tbs matter of money" began
the other in an altered tone.
GAY, sir; you have touched the point.
Poverty is not vice, is it? or it could
not so readily shame us. Ny pockets
! are empty, and | had counted on the
charity of some good cottage creature
for cup of milk and some bread and
| cheese"
Pray be my guest at the inn," said
the older man with formal civiity. He
was apparently AS cautious of over
demonstration toward a chance ac-
quaintance as of climbing slippery
hills, but waxed more insistent at Fitz-
roys violent demnr But wherefore
not? Surely, my hospitality should
be no less than an old cottage wo-
mans"
"Sir. you are most kind. But |
would go with an empty stomach rather
than dine at the Golden Goblet
have an ancient grudge-"
But thought" cried his fellow trav-
eler, you were strange in these parts
You said as much, when we fell in with
| each other this morning, and you
prayed me to point you the road to
Durham"
But doth road run one way only?
| Fitzroy asked, a sudden sparkle OF
mirth in his eyes, as quickly extin-
guished. las l remember the Golden
Goblet 1t stands at Il crossing, and some
approach 1t from the east, some from
the west. Nay, sir-I have not yet
learned your name. cannot and will
not enter that inn, and 1t il spending
breath to ask me wherefore. Per-
chance the landlord has cheated me--or
cheated the landlord; perchance
happened to kiss the barmaid-. Sir
/ am sorry, but l will not go. / see a
cottage in the distance; ! am confident
the good dame there will give us food
and even nights lodging"
why how know you there is a
dame, and that her hospitality is free?'
81 do not know" said Fitzroy, with a
slight contraction OF the eyebrows. 81
can clearly see, however, you fear tC
trust yourself In the company OF man
who acknowledges himself penniless
even though"-with family con.
temptuous glance at the other mans
hosters-"you carry arms and he does
not. You are right, sir; the country
is lonely. there are rumors of highway
men, and you never saw me before this
] morning Let us part Ways--yOu nc