Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-02-19

ant fellow
"Stin,' said the lady, II think his |
voice was rery peealiar--so singular, tha, +
| am sure could swear to It anywhere /
if | heard it again."
Il made no reply, aud nothing more /
was said about the young man or his
voice. We conversed pleasantly together
till we reached the wayside i'm, where we
had tea. We were to travel all night.
The day had been beautiful but as even
ing came on, dark masses of grey clouds
drifted over the sky. The wind rose, ev-
cry now and then peals Of thunder were
heard, and continuous heavy rain fell.
Neither moon nor star was visible, but al
times the black clouds that bounded the
horizon parted, and a vivid flash OF sheet
lightning revealed to US the full dreari-
ness around-the white line of road we
were pursuing, stretching on--on, into
the black distance; the bare, desolale
common, with here and there a few stunt
ed bushes, pond or two, Of a muddy,
reddish hue, and a few tufts of rushes
growing by them, but no vestige Of hu-
man habitations, not house within sight.
not sound to be heard but the clatter
of the horses hoofs, the rumbling of the
coach wheels dragging heavily along the
rough, stiff clayey road, and the plash,
plash, plash oflhe rain drops as they fell
into the deep pools caused by the ruts.
The night, the scene was gloomy in the
extreme.
- l am not apt TO be alarmed unneces-
sarily,' said the lady, but / must say
this is a dreary spot; it looks like just
such place as one would expect to be
robbed in. | wish we were safe in Lon
dom
"The words were scarcely out of hcl
mouth, when the coach suddenly pulled
up, In an instant my hand was upon ID,
window, and was about to inquire IA,
cause of the stoppage; when man who's,
face was mufied in Grape, rode up anc
pointing pistol in at the open window
exclaimed in a fierce voice, Your money
or your lives
ave were not heroic. We very meek
ly gave him the contents of our purse
and pocket books, and then we were per
mitted TO continue our journey. Fo
some time We were all too much fright
ened to speak. At last, when we la,
crossed the dryary desolate common. ar,
come once more in sight of humqn dwell
lings, the lady said, Mr.. Benson, do 10
you think the highwayman's voice va
like that of the young officer who dine
with Us z"
-. Like his ma'am" said the mel
r chant, why the highwayman's voice wa
gruff and the young fellows soft an
pleasant. You were too much frightene
to notice, or you couldn't have though
them alike
So Sdn,' said the lady quietly, l thin
the voice was ike his"
1T had not struck me until She ba
. suggested the idea, but nov on reflection
| also was convinced it was his voice, b.
did not choose to say so. The remand,
= of our journey passed quietly. We N
- no further misadveuture and were d
's glad enough when the coach rumbled i
" to the streets Of London.
! - Before we part said to my cor
:" panions, be good enough to tell the e
> act sums YOU have each lost, and yo
is addresses; also viii give you mine a
then if any Of US hear anything mo
about this highwayman, we shall be al
a9 10 communicate with one another.
course they willingly assented. When {
ed coach stopped the merchan, jumped G
y, and began to hustle about his lnggal
e | helped the lady to descend, and as ,
ly so. | said, / should be glad Of a wc
at, with you alone, madam She follciA
IT me into the inn. ! wanted. said /,
as ask you before We part i you are 81
ut that the bighwaymsn's voice resemb
les the young officer z i am so sure
lis replied, that could swear to il. n
on his poiss.
ny al FAUST confess Il struck me too
'se bein,. very much ike IL, said | bu
'n' w. have no proof beyond mere con
q ture, and Mr. Thomas positively deI
I'D that il resembled it in the least, ] thin
his would be more prudent 10 say no'i
to about the similarity. | will meant
all make some inquiries, and let you 1t
can the result
20 a.I will DO As you Wish, Mr. Bens
av- she replied after all ! mighs be ~r
aud | would not wish TO inJnre an Il
AN. cent person. so we shook hansls,
.aia parted. called chase, and dfos'
90, hss.t Dn arriving there, | lnsiA