Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-04-16
CHAPTER III.

A storm below the highlands of the
| Hudson, if it be introduced with an east
| erly wind, seldom lasts less than two
days. Accordingly, the inmates of the
Locusts assembled, on the following morn
ing around their early breakfast, the driv-
ing rain VAS seen to strike in nearly hori-
zontal lines against the windows OF the
| building, and forbade the idea of expos-
ing either man or beast to the tempest.
Harper, after taking a view of the state
of the weather, apologized to Mr.. Whar-
ton for the necessity that existed for his
trespassing on his goodness for long
| time. To appearances. the reply was as
courteous as the excuse vet Harper
wore a resignation in his department that
was widely different from the uneasy
manner of the father. Henry Wharton
had resumed his disguise No communi-
| cations passed between him and the
stranger, after the first salutations of the
morning. Frances had, indeed. thought
there was something like a smile passing
over the features of the traveller The
eyes of the affectionate sister were turn
ed in anxiety on her brother, and glanc-
ing again on her unknown guest, met his
look and the heart of the girl, which
had begun to throb with violence. regain
ed a pulsation tempered as youth
health and buoyant spirits could allow
While yet seated at the table, Cesar en-.
tered. and placed small parcel in 81
Ience by the side of his master
What is this, Cesar?" inquired Mr..
Wharton.
The 'baccy, sir; Harvey Birch, he got
home, and he bring you a little good
'baccy from York"
Harvey Birch ~ rejoined the master.
stealing a look at his guest. Il do not
remember desiring him to purchase any
tobacco for me; but as he has brought it,
be must be paid for his trouble
To Sarah Wharton. this intelligence
gave unexpected pleasure; rising from
her seat, she babe the black show Birch
into the apartment. In the deep recesses
of the windows of the cottage were seats
OF paneled work with rich damask cur
tainS. Into one of these recesses Captain
Wharton now threw himself, drawing the
curtain before him in such a manner as to
conceal most of his person from observa-
ton; while his younger sister silently
took possession of the other.
Harvey Birch had been a peddler from
his youth. He was native of one of
the eastern colonies. Ten years before
he had arrived in the vale, purchasing the
humble dwelling at which Harper had
made his unsuccessful application. Until
age and inhrmities had prevented the
father devoted himself to the cultivation
of a small spot of ground, while the son
pursued with avidity his humble barter
Their orderly quietude had soon given
them so much consideration in the neigh
borhood as to induce a maiden of FIVE
and-thirty to accept the Office of presid-
ing over their domestic comforts. The
roses had long before vanished from the
cheeks of Katy Haynes when she entered
the family of the Birches. On the one
hand she was neat. industrious, honest
and a good manager. On the other she
was laxative. selfish, superstitious and
inquisitive
The war did not interfere with the
traffic of the seddler. For year or two
his employment was uninterrupted. but
at length dark and threatening hints be-
gan TO throw suspicion around his move
ments. His imprisonments. though fre-
Quent, were NOT long. and his escapes
from the guardians of the law easy, COM
pared TO what he endured from the perse-
cution OF the military. Still Birch sur
viyed. and still he continued his trade,
though compelled tc be very guarded in
his movements whenever he approached
the neighborhood of the American lines.
On entering the room the peddler relieved
himself from his burden and saluted the
family with modest civility. To Harper
he made silent bow. Sarah commenced
her survey of the contents OF the pack
and for several minutes the two were en-
gagged in bringing to light the various ar
neles il contained. At length. having Sc
lected several articles. and satisfactorily
arranged the prices, she observed in a
cheerful voice:
But, Harvey. you have told US no
news. Has Lord CORVALLIS beaten the
rebels AGAIN."
There is some talk below about Tarle-
ton having defeated Gen. Sumter or :hs
Tiger river"
"Indeed!" cried the exulting Sarah: