The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-10-03
CHAPTER II.

True to his accustomed activity, by early
dawn on the day following, Tarleton had bro
ken up his bivouac, and before the sun had
mounted over the surrounding hills, was on his
march for the Ordinary. A dense fog cover
ed the whole space around, and his approach
was known only from the rumbling echo of
hoofs as the squadron gallopped over the fro
zen ground. Foremost came corporal with
his advanced guard, to make known the or
ders of his impericus and fierce commander.
pared her plan of action, and as the officer en-
tered, 1nasked and unannounced, was sitting
before huge log fire which blazed in the par
lor corner, calmly engaged with her knitting
as though peril and insult were not near. On
his entrance she rose, but offered no salute or
invitation, and the rough soldier staggered to
the fire, where, standing with his back to its
cheerful blaze, skirt of his coat hanging
from each arm, he thus accosted the matron
in the rude and discourteous style so common
at that time with the British troops.
We'll, madam, where is the internal old
rebel who keeps this house a? Answer me
quick, for by -, I'm in no humor for dainty
mouthing and silly scenes
What mean you, sir?' answered Mrs. Moore,
who by the bye was blessed with full share
of temper when excited, as well as spirit to
maintain it 4 am not in the habit of hearing
or replying to such beastly language
You ask wha. mean, said the corporal. i
will tell you that Imean your husband, or what
ever You are to the rebellious traitor, whose
name hangs ON yonder sign. If we can lay
hands on him, I'll try and raise his head by
the side of his name, and ask of you no furth-
or iH tho, t1a 1oo, 0f HaA nor1
And pointing TO the beam on the sign-post,
he made a significant motion with his hand a.
bout his neck, which left no doubt as to the
allusion.
This insult, so singing and so unprovoked
drew an involuntary tear to the eye of the
helpless woman, but wisely subduing any ap-
turned her back on the ruflian, and walked in
to her chamber.
At this moment the full, mellow sound oil
bugle awakened the echoes of hill and dale
and the whole troop appeared in sight at the
head of the lane. The rising sun had dispell-
ed in part the thick mist of the morning, and
froma window of her room the lady could catch
slimpses of their shining arn,or rs they rapid
" advanced Presently they gallopped full
into the yard, and the corporal walked out to
meet them.
A towering, stalwart officer, clad in the
splendid uniform of British dragon, dis
mounted fiom his charger, and after exchang-
the doorway, making the oaken floor of the
long gallery in front to ring with the clang OF
his iron-heeIed cavalry boots. The huge roam
steed, the long, brown hair, and the frightful
marks of smallpox which disfgured his other
lv,;sa IL 4, Il IL 81.
was, and, agreeably to the plan she had FORM
ed, Mrs. Moore, having a little girl by the
hand, and an infant boy in her arms, met him
promptly at the hall door.
Colonel Tarleton, presume, she said, with
graceful curtsey.
AT your service, madam was the prompt
reply of that celebrated officer And as he
touched the rim of his dragon caphe respond
ed to the offer of the lady by seating himself
with somewhat of the same familiarity which
had distinguished hissub-oficer before the par
lor fire.
Fierce and unrelentins, though always
roughly courteous, the British Commander was
nevertheless struck with the calm dignity, the
stately manner, and somewhat arlstocratic de-
meanor of his landlady, and could not recon-
Gle her appearance with the generally receiv-
ed notions of an innkeeper's wife.
'Pon honor madam said he, i must say you
have there two likely, nice little folks, and Of
fering his hand to the little girl, who readily
took It, he at the same time slightly caressed
the boy in the mothers arms With staring
eye and trembling lip, the infant pertly struck
the hand which he extended, and hid its head
in the folds of the mothers shawl.
ooh, no. laughed Tsrleton. some fthe old
leaven, see. The red is too strong for bis