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

I
for many years past
Atlhis TART but good hunored sally, the
young officers at table laughed outright, dc.
spite the presence of their commander, whose
crude and severe notions OF loyalty and dis
cipline were understood to be generally a.
verse 10 the least levity as regarded The
the course of his superiors. or the action Of
his government. After graveIy rebuking
them on this occasion, he replied to the lady
of The house in his usual tone, half earnest,
half humorous
well. my dear madam said he, 4 only
wish those savages had maintained their dis
guise long enough 10 allow his majesIy's
troops an opportunity Of Iinging the tea Of
Boston harbor with the color SO obnoxious
10 you Americans. Their blood would have
answered The purpose admirably. The E.
thopian may not change his skin, but sava-
ges sometimes have been known 10 do the
like, especially when lEeir color was likely
10 cost them dear
Breakfast was finished, and the bugle
sounded The assembly. The officers were nj
their respective posts, but Tarleion still re-
manned by the fresiie. The troopers were
all paraded in a line in front OF the house,
when, at an order from the sergeant, every
tShth lCdhiiB iOlSO III
charge of his right file. These formed the
search corps, system of domicilary which
was never neglected by Tarele!on in these
official military visits.
Through the open door the lady Of The
house had seen this movement, and under
stood al once lis object. Under The d;rec-
ton Of the sergeant, this corps filed Off to-
ward he lots where the corn, fodder, and va
~ ,@ro,.opIor o1I
On their return, they seized upon the old ne
gro man and ordered him to conduct them 10
the store room ofthe Ordinary and 10 the Gel
lar. The first OF these, like the various hous-
es Just left, were noted down liz the sergeant's
memorandum book. Arrived al the cellar,
the sergeant himself led the way. He APP
preached the apparent heaps Of rubbish, and
with his foot kicked of some of the top COW
erings, bu! as the old servant hogan TO dread
Tie failure Of his mistress plan, the keen eye
Of the soldier was attracted 10 the iron-iaced
door of he locked cellar, and, followed by
his companions, he sprang forward with I'M
disguised ecsacy. Butte force il WAS no ca
sy matter, and the keys were in possession
OF The landady. The savory smell Of The
brandy excited the keenest appetite, and
most uncomfortable thirst. They resolved
on report 10 the chief, whose Influence, ii
was hoped, might obtain the keys, and thus
prevent The delay, which none relished, aud
the necessity, which was, from appearances,
by no means INVITING, of resorting TO force.
The report was made. and Tareton peremp-
lorily demanded the keys. The lady replied
that she would never surrender Them wiling
", and gave the chiefiain TO understand that
If he obtained the keys. which she display
ed from her girdle, he must get them as ne
could.
Tarleton disdained 10 use compulsory or
ungallant means with lady OF such undoubt-
ed pretensions, and ordered the sergeant to
take men and what materials he could gath
err, and break open the door which locked in
the precious viands, most precious OF all
things TO the soldier.
He himself superintendent The work, and
from motives of seeking her safety in his
presence, us we'll as natural anxiety, Mrs
Moore. attended by her children, went along
with him. This work consumed an hour or
two, which rendered the British officer res
tive and impatient, especially when he re-
flected that the delay might be saved by
slight severity. which he had not often scru-
pledfo practice. His men were nstonished
at this relaxation. and an officer was heard
swear, that he believed the Colonel was
smitlen with the comeIy appearance and lof-
ty spirit Of The rebel dame
Al length after vigorous efforts the door
gave way, and the barrels lay before item.
Tarleton gave orders 10 have his men served
each with heavy ration.a and their canlesns
filled. This done, he unhestoiingly caused
his men 10 break open the heads Of such as
remained over, and the floor OF the cellar
was flooded in an instant Mrs. Moore
looked on silently. but with Unsurpassed
Indignation, which Tarleton failed not 10
notice.
The rules of war are severe, my good
madam said he, shut you rebels leave usno
choice. This liquor has been saved with
great labor, and doubtless for other purposes.
but my orders are 10 anticipate and provide
against such purposes.
i expected no better replied the lady
'and perhaps had best prepare for worse,
THAI you will soon find OUT, madam was
the pithy reply, and the stern veteran bowed
and re conducted his fair companion 10 the
upper story. The sergeant now presented
his memorandum, and after some CONVERSE
ton between the Two, Tarleton turning 10
the lady, observed, my officer returns me
here with a schedule ofyour stock OF prcvis-
ions which am ordered either 10 seize, or
cut off from the rebel army. have levied
enough alrendy TO answer present purpos-
es, but you must give me your word OF honor
not 10 apply these 10 the wants oil the A
meri:ans, else shall proceed with my du-
ty.'
Then proceed said the lady, firmly,
for assure you that | shall make no such
proUise.'
MADAM, this promise can cost you moth
thing said the officer, evidently reluctant to
resort 10 severity. If 1 destroy them. the
rebels cannot get them, and they lose
nothing
lam not insensiblc 10 what you say re-
turned The lady, and acknowledge my OBJ
legation TO you for one instance OF courtesy.
Ifyou cannot spare US further losses and de-
stTuction, regret it, but cannot purchase
you lorbearance by the sacrifice Of my duty
TO my husband and conntrymen.'
This heroic speech closed the parley, and
threw, al once, all 10 the discretion and deci.
sion of the British chieltain. He cast around
his officers an inquiring and somewha, per-
Il wNzN