Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-05-17

| NHE HOME CIRCLE /
RIP VAN WINKLE.
(ContinHcd.)

all
He saw at distance the ordy Hudson far far below him, moving
on its silent but majestic course with the reflection of purple
cloud sail tagging bark here and there sleeping on its
CLASSY BOSOM at losing itself in the blue highlands
looked down into deep mountain glen
lonely shagged bottom filled with fragments from the
impending cliffs and scarcely lighted by the reflected of the
setting For time Rip lay mung on this scene evening
gradually advancng the mountains began throw their long
blue shadows valleys he that it would be dark long
before he could reach the village and he heaved heavy sigh when
thought encounerng the of Dame Van Wrinkle.
AS descend he heard voice from distance
haooing Rip Van Wrinkle! Rip Van Wrinkle! He looked
round nothing wnging its solitary flight
He thought his fancy must have deceived
him. again descend when he heard the ring
through the still evening air. Grip Van Wrinkle! Rip Van Wnle!
the same time Wolf bstled up his back and giving low
gow sluked side looking earu down into the
glen Rip vague apprehension stealing him. he
looked anxousy the direction and perceived strange
figure slowly og the rocks and bending under the weight Of
something his back He surprised to any
human being this lonely and unequened place. but supposng
the ncghbOrhood in need his assistance he
fastened down % yield it.
On nearer approach he surprised the singular
y the strangers appearance He short squarebut old
fellow, with thick buhy hair and gizzed beard His dress
of the antique Dutch ahona cloth erkn strapped round the
pair of breeche the of ample volume
decorated with of buttons down the sides and punches the
knees He bore on his shoulders key
liquor and made Rip approach and assist him with the
load Though rather shy and dustu of this acquaintance
Rip complied with his usual alact and mutually relieving
another they cambeed up gully apparently dry
they assembled Rip every and then
heard long rolling pca like distant thunder that seemed issue
deep rather cleft between lofty rocks toward which
their rugged path conducted He paused for instant but
posing be the muterng of of those transient thunder
which take place heights he proceeded
Passing through the ravnc they hollow like small
amphhcatc surrounded by perpendicular precpces the
Drinks of which impending shot their branches that
only caught mpses the sky and the bright evening cloud
During whole Rip and his companion had abored
fine IV1a he
object of carrying kcg of liquor up this wild mountain yet there
something strange and nomprchcnb about the unknown
that inspired awe and checked familiarity.
entering the amphhcatc objects wonder presented
themselves. level spot the company odd
looking pcsonagcs playing nnc-pns They dressed
quaint Outandh fashion, short doubcts others jenkins
with long knives in their belts and of them had
bccchcs similar style with that OF the guides Their vagcs
pccuiar had large beard broad face
pggsh eyes, the another seemed entirely
and urmouncd by white sugaroaf hat off with little
cocks tail They all had Boards of various shapes and
There who seemed be the commander He
old gentleman with wcathcrbcaen countenance he
doubc broad belt and hanger hgcowned hat and feather
stockings and high-hccd Shoes with in them The whole
group reminded Rip of the figures old Flemish painting;
the paor OF Dominic Van Shac the village parson and which
had been brought from Holland the time OF the settlement
What seemed particularly odd Rip that though
folks evidently amusing Themselves yet they maintained the
grave faces the most mysterious silence and witha the
melancholy party pleasure he had Witnessed Nothing
interrupted the stiffness the but the of the balls which
whenever they rolled echoed along the mountains like
bling pcals of thunder
Rip and his companion approached they suddenly
desisted from their play and stared him with such fixed
gaze such strange uncouh ackusre
his heart turned within him. and his knees together Hi
companion mpcd the OF the key into large hagons
and made signs him upon the company He obeyed
and trembling; they quaed the liquor profound silence
then returned to their game.
By degrees Rips and apprehension subsidized He eve
venured when fixed upon him. to taste the beverage
which had of the flavor excellent Hollands
naturally thirsty SOUL and tempted repeat tn
daugh provoked another and he reiterated
the length his overpoweree