Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-12-13

Of railroads in New England |
horseman drew rein one evening il
June just before sunset on the cres
of a hill between the villages o
Windsor and Ludlow, in Vermont
The road was lonely, often penetrat
ing woods in which the solitude was
oppressive. He had neither met MOI
oyertaken a soul since leaving Wind
sor. on the Connecticut river, a cir.
cumstance which must have suited his
mood, to Judge from a face that was
remarkable for its pallor and somber
melancholy. 1t was a handsome and
an elegant face, but the lines were
stern, as of one who had suffered
much. and the eyes were lusterless.
As he refined up he was in the full
glow of the radiance which burned
along the horizon and suffused the
sky almost to the zenith
"Yes, that must be the inn," he
said, as his eyes rested on an old
fashioned. many-gabled house buried
in the trees on the road below
Miles from any other dwelling.
hemmed in by forest that had never
known the ak, and reached only by
road that was seldom Travelled, no sit
uation could have been more isolated.
As he looked and noted this the boot
of an owl sounded lugubriously and
his horse reared There, at all
events, he muttered, signing heavily,
mo one will think of looking for me. "
Touching the horse with his heel,
he rode on and down. The landlord
Of the Green Mountain house, the
name Of the inn, was smoking an aft
er-supper pipe al his door as the
stranger dismounted His stalwart |
and active figure was observed by the
landlord, who said. under his breath: |
"A soldier. IL ] am not mistaken"
With his arm thrown across the
name Of his horse, big-boned rangy /
thoroughbred the stranger said:
you have a quiet place here land
ord?"
"Too quiet" returned the latter, la
conically.
Hardly, for me-" said the stran-
ger, with a slow smile, that was not
lightsome, but rather strained and
sad
Well" assented the landlord. 'ff
you want no other company but the
mail carrier and belated traveller.
and would sooner sleep than be up
and doing, this is indeed the spot for
you"
asI shall ha fortnno+a 70 7 H.
much" said the other, gloomily. "But
tell me-" he added. becoming aware
that he was being scanned curiously.
why do you keep an inn here in this
lonely country"
Because my father kept one before
me and at his death left IL to me.
You hear the brawling of the stream
yonder on the mountain?"
The stranger nodded
well, the old fellow had a notion
that the water power would bring
mills and that in the hollow just here
4 busting settlement would spring
lp. But, as you see, he was far out |
n his reckoning. For a year or two
lfter he built the house-it was not q
ong before the war of 1s12-there {
vas some custom, mostly soldiers on
he march to and from Champlain. '
md the place, as I remember it in '
hose days, was lively enough. But ,
With the return Of peace business fell 4
III and we found ourselves living in
and of Nod. Finally the old gentle S
nan died, rusted out, as one might s
ay. Here | stay on, and old associa- h
ions tie me ITO the spot. With a roof II
ver my head and enough to stock r
he larder, few cronies to drop in e
low and then to cheer me up and n h
wife at the Preside to keep me in h
ountenance, what more can / ask in o
hese times of peace? BY the way. il o
might be so inquisitive, you have o
zen a soldier, eh?" n
YES" he answered, with visible re. s.
uctance; II was with Macomb al
a
Say you SOP" rejoined the landlord.
With lively interest LET me take d
our horse-come in and be served o.
NTH refreshment. II l heard Alright. ii
GU would like to put up with us for (,
while?" :,
That is my intention" said the d,
Their. 81 am worn with business a
ares, which have impaired my health. o.
like the bracing air of this coun. Y,
ry; the seclusion of your house suits Ii
ne, and l may stay with you for
lonth or so. But | warn you. land II
'rd' that you will find me a sorry h
a.
Il see, | see" said the landlord If
heerily; you are not yourself. want D,
1g rest for the body and sleep for
he mind. When your health comes o.
ack and you feel like a chat over n,
glass, we will talk about the war u
nd you shall tell me how YOU helped
D vanquish the British under 81, \
gorge Provost" :,
The landlord unbuckled a portman. \
Eau from the saddle, whistied for =
ID to take the horse and led the way !,
Ito the house. >
Wife, here is a jaded man who will n
e our guest II we give him an easy N
ed and wholesome fare Ana