Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-04-19

| was always well mounted: am fond
of horse, and always piqued myself on
having the fastest trotter in the province.
have made no great progress In the
world; | feel doubly, therefore, the
pleasure OF not being surpassed on the
road. | never feel so well or so cheerful
as on horseback, for there is something
exhllarating in quick motion, and, old as
/ am, feel a pleasure in making any
person whom | meet on the way put his
horse to the full gallop to keep pace with
my trotter. Poor Ethiope. you recollect
him-how he was wont to lay back his
ears on his arched neck and push away
from all competition. He is done, poor
fellow The SPAWN spoiled his speed,
and he now roams at large upon "my
farm at Truro" Mohawk never failed
me till this summer. | pride myself
you may laugh at such childish weakness
in man of my age, but still pride my
self-in taking the conceit out of cox
combs | meet on the road, and on the
ease with which | can leave fool behind
whose nonsense disturbs my solitary
musings.
On my last journey to Fort Lawrence,
as the beautiful view of Colchester had
just opened unto me, and as | was con-
templating its richness and exquisite
scenery, tall thin man with hollow
cheeks and bright tNinkling black eyes,
on a good bay horse somewhat out of
condition, overlook me, and, drawing up,
said
81 guess you started early this morn
ing, sir?"
81 did, sir" | replied.
"You did not come from Halifax,
presume, sir, did you?" in dialect too
rich to be mistaken as genuine Yankee.
"And which way may you be traveling?' p
asked my inquisitive companion.
$50 Fort Lawrence
"Ah." said he, $50 am / it is In my
circuit"
The word ''crcuit" sounded so profess
siOnal | looked again at him to ascertain
whether had ever seen him before, or
whether had met with one of those
nameless but innumerable limbs of the
law who now flourish in every district of
the province. There was a keenness
about his eye and an acuteness of express
sion much in favor of the law, but the
uItsS anu StuCIdl luS VI lIt lbdu
made against the superstition. His was
not the coat of man who can afford to
wear an old coat, nor was it one of Tenn
pests & More's, that distinguish country
lawyers from country boobies. His
clothes were well made and of good
materials, but looked as if their owner
had shrunk little since they were made
for him; they hung somewhat loose on
him. A large brooch and some superflu-
Gus seals and gold keys which orna-
mented his outward man looked New
England like. a visit to the States had
perhaps, thought, turned this Colchester
beau into Yankee fop. OF what con-
sequence was it to me who he was? In
either case | had nothing to do with him,
and desired neither his acquaintance
nor his company. Still, could not but
ask myself, "Who can this man be-"
81 am not aware" said |, 'that there
is a court sitting at this time at Cumber-
land"
Nor am H. said my friend.
What, then, could he have to do with
the circuit: 1t occurred to me he must
be Methodist preacher. | looked again,
but his appearance again puzzled me.
His attire might do the color might be
suitable, the broad brim not out of place
but there was want of that stadness of
look, that seriousness of countenance-
that expression. in short-so character
site of the clergy.
could not account for my idle curios-
ity-a curiosity which in him | had the
moment before viewed both with suspi
zion and disgust, but so 1t was; felt a
desire to know who he could be who was
neither lawyer nor preacher, and YET
talked of his circuit with the gravity OF
both. "How ridiculous" | thought tC
myself, sis this | will leave him.
Turning toward him, said | feared
should be late for breakfast, and mus
therefore bid him good morning. Mo
hawk felt the pressure of my knees, ant
away we went at a slapping pace.
congratulated myself on conquering my
own curiosity and on avoiding that of my
travelling companion. This" | said t.
myself-"this Is the value of gooC
horse" | patted his neck; felt PROUD
of him. Presently | heard the steps O.
the unknown's horse; the clatter in
creased. "Ah, my friend" thought |
pit won't DO! You should be wei
mounted If you desire my company"
pushed Mohawk faster, faster, faster-t,
his best. He outdid himself; he hat
never trotted so handsomely, so easily
so we'll.
81 guess that is a pretty considerable
smart horse" said the stranger as h
came beside me and apparently refined II
to prevent his horse passing me; "ther
Is not, reckon, SO spry one on my cir
cult"