Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1910-07-06

Of the avenue to the eager throng in
Regengetz circus, swelling and grow
ing louder as the news came that the |
prince had ridden forth from the
gates. Glad voices cried out tidings
to those in the background. The prince
was coming!
Bonny, adorable Prince Robin!
On came the splendid phalanx of
guardsmen, followed by rigid infantry
men in measured tread. The great
coach of gold, with it's half score of
horses, rolled somberly beneath ma
lures canopy of green, surrounded on
all sides by proud members Of the
royal guard. Two carriages from the
royal stables preceded the princes
coach. In the first were the Duke of
Perse and three fellow members of
the cabinet. The second contained
Baron Dangloss and General Braze.
The curtains in a house at the cor
ner of the square parted gently. A
hawk faced old man peered out upon
the joyous crowd. His black eyes
swept the scene. 4 grim smile crept
into his face. He dropped the cur
tains and walked away from the win.
dow, tossing a cigarette into a CRATE
on the opposite side Of the room. Then
he looked at his watch.
The man who stood in the middle of
the freight car looking down in wonder
at the fugitives was tall vagabond of
the most picturesque type. No raga-
muffin was ever so tattered and torn
as this rakish individual. His clothes
barely hung together on his lank
| frame.
Long, thin lips curled into smile of
| delicious regard. His sides shook with
the quiet chuckle of understanding
He was thinking Of other days and
nights and Of many maids in faroff
lands and Of countless journeys in
| which he, too, had had fair and gentle
company-short journeys, yes, but not
to be forgotten.
He lighted the stub of a tallow can
die. All, how envied this great, sleep
ing wayfarer! How beautiful his mis-
tress! How fortunate the lover! They
slept. How tired they were! Whence
had they come?
Why should he stay here to spoi
their waking hour? No. He would
surrender his apartment to them.
Softly he tiptoed to his own corner
of the car. He gathered up his be
longings-an ancient violin case, {
stout walking stick, a goodly sizet
pack done up in gaudy cloth, a wei
worn pair of sandals with long, frayet
lacings. AS gently he stole back t.
sleeping girl, his dark gypsy fac
aglow with admiration and mischief
and was about to blow out the ligh
of his candle. Then he changed hi
mind.
With a determined shake of his hea
and a new flash of the eye, he calml
seated himself and began to open hi
: ragged pack.
At last his small store of food la
exposed. Without hesitation he diviG
ed the pieces of smoked venison,. gi1
! ing one part to himself, two to th
sleepers, then the miller's bread an
the cheese and the bag of dates he ba
bought the day before.
7 Again he blew a kiss to the pretties
girl be had ever seen. Shutting hi
> candle, he dropped to the ground an
: closed the door against all spying, III
e civil eyes.
Daybreak found him at the whal
D gates.
t Coming to an empty fat car diret
: from the quarries, he resolutely seate
d? himself upon it's edge and, with ami
|, BILE resignation, set about devourir
e his early meal, all the while castir
= longing, almost appealing, glances
S ward the next car but one. Busy Il
IS tie switch engines began chuggi1
e about the yards The railroad at lea
o was exhibiting some signs Of life.
a Down through the maze of sid
J. tracks whisked the little train, Q
II upon the main line with thin shri
of greeting, past the freight hous'
lie 1t was then that Sir Vagabond sat !
< very straight, a look Of mild intere
lie in his eyes. Interest gave way to p
iS DloAlLy pGIplcAIly W \OASCAh' w A~A
IS this-leaying the city? He wasted
/. time. Clutching his belongings to
r side, he vaulted from one hand, mimi
81 landing safely on his feet at the TO;
1n side.
re He thought of the luckless pair
w the empty 'box."
p Suddenly he stopped, his chin
it. his hands to his sides. A hearty p
ho of laughter scared from his lips. I
es joke was on them. It was rich. ]
nd more he thought Of their astonishm'
on awakening the more he laughed.
he His immense levity attracted att
ne ton. Four or five men approach
til him from the shadows of the frei
houses, ugly, unsmiling fellows. II
demanded of him the cause of his
seemly mirth. With tears in his
ry black eyes he related the plight
the pretty slumberers. They piled |