Year: 1860

listening position. The road ran by the
place he was standing, but he could not see
far along it, on account of a sudden turn a
little distance from him. The clatter of
horses hoofs, however, could be plainly
heard, and, in few minutes horse and ri.
der came into sight. The new conner was
small aud active looking man, and from
bis dress was apparently gentleman well
OIL. His eyes were unusually keen and
searching, were bent upon the charcoal
burner in such a manner that the latter
completely quaied before him.


"A fair day, my good man. said the
horseman, in the easy manner of one speak
ing to an inferior.


Excellent Monsieur, for one of my trade;
l love not the broiling suns of summer, nor
the bleak winds of winter


Since you are so nicely suited, / sup
pose you must be what so few are in this
world-happy'


You say truly, Monsieur--few, few, in
deed, are truly happy. There is no happi-
ness without contentment.'


And are you not content p


AT times think l am but when | see
the noblemen riding by in bis coach and
four, rolling in riches, with servants to obey
his every wish--and having to toll hard
for my daily bread, l cannot help thinking
that God is sometimes unjust


And do you never think of appropria-
ting any of these superauons riches p


What does Monsieur mean 2 trust
no thoughts of disobeying the laws of God
and Man, alike, ever enter into my mind


L meant nothing it was merely an idle
question but did not stop to talk thus,
but to ask the way to P. 1t is get
ting late and l must be on the move


IF monsieur is in hurry, can direct
him 10 P in about half the time


4 shall be much obliged to you, my
friend


This lane begins very near my home,
which is about a half MI farther on. You
had better stop there, as my wife can pcint
it out to YOU


1 will do SO. Here is reward exclaim-
cd the horseman, Offering him a piece of
gold, The other drew back, and refused
TO take, alleging that he had done nothing
to deserve it. The horseman then put
spurs to his horse and rode away, bend
in the road soon hiding him from view.
Having rode on until he imagined that the
sound Of bis horses hoofs could not be heard
by the charcoal burner, should the latter be
listening, he dsmounted and silently retrac-
ed his steps. He arrived at the place
where he had left his friend, the charcoal
burner, but the latter was not to be seen.
The stranger fastened b ack to his horse
and remounted


Tt is as / expected he muttered. This
road makes a large bend here, and by cut
ting across he can reach his hut before me-
| care little, though, as forewarned is fore
armed We shall see who'll come ont first
| comprehend why he refused my gold
piece, he considers it as his own, and thinks
he may as well take it altogether but l
must hurry on, ard finish this business be-
fore nightfaI ?


So saying, be put spurs to his horse and
rode on. Ten minutes sharp riding brought
the charcoal burners cabin into view. As
he first caught sight of it, he thought he
detected mans face pressed against one
Of the windows. OF this, however, he
could not be certain, as the face, if such it
was, instantly disappeared. AT the sound
of his horses hoofs an old woman appeared
in the doorway, and gazing curiously at
him waited until he rode up. The horse
man could not help thinking that the wo.
man was a most fitting companion to her
husband The expression of her counte-
nance was even more vilainous. The stran-
ger, however, did not stop to critcse her
appearance but courteously saluted her,
saying


II believe, Madam, that you are the wife
of the charcoal burner, whom met up the
road


The woman replied in the affirmative.


Then | will tell you that am bound
for p, which l wish to reach before
nightfail He told me of lane which
was much shorter than the regular road,
which he said You could point out to me-


Certainly If that is all Monsieur wish
es, he is easily satisfied. You may see, a
little way up that large tree which towers
above the rest. Just beyond that large
rock and the lane enters the road on the
other side of it. AS it is very narrow and
nearly grown NJ with bushes, you would
hardly notice it. But with these directions
you can hardly fail.


Never you fear I shall not miss the
road


is that all Monsieur wishes p


Il believe so but stop a moment.
offered your husband piece of gold, but
he refused to take it, Perhaps you may be
more sensible


The old woman greediIy took the proHfer-
ed coin, saying


Pierre is too sensitive. We might both
starve before he would take a cent?


Il see you differ from him little,' return
ed the horseman, laughing. He then put
spurs to his horse, and road on. In a few
minutes he reached the large rock alluded
to, and could then perceive the entrance to
a narrow lane, artfully concealed by bushes.
He soon made his way through them, and
when once into the lane, found it little
wider than he expected, 1t also became
free of bushes, as he proceeded. He stop
ped moment to examine the priming of
his pistols, muttering


MY worthy friends are rather sharp.
They do not do their numbering in the open
road, where spilled blood might lead to
their detection but inVeigle the unfortu-
nate traveller into the dark lane, where he