Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-02-26


Meanwhile, Malachi who had eyed the
to ply the bellows
"Well he exclaimed TO himself, "if this
don't beat all natur thought there was
suthin' in the wind, when that critter halted
to our place so just stopt foddering the
cattle, and sneaked up to the back side of the
shop to listen. SO If he gets to Trenton by
sunrise tomorrow morning, the American
party will be in the power Of the British If
you are there by that time, by Judas, Malachi
Doolittle don't know nothing about shoeing.
Woa--you critter can't you stand still
moment, while the irons arc getting hots It's
no wonder you are restless with such a load
of sin you are about to carry Ny boss is a
traitor to his country, and I'm going to cut
my indentures tonight, and Join the Ameri-
can army. Who knows but 1 may come back
a captain. marry Mary Hutton. and then
strike bee line for old Massachusetts, But
] must hurry this Job thro' for ] would not
like the boss to inspect my work, tonight.
"There, he added, as he drove the last nail
"you viii cast of pair Of them shoes about
five miles tother side Of Brunswick and
then if ! don't catch you, Ensign Spencer, on
our old sorrel, ! wish ] may be blowed up in
powder mill"
Big with intentions for the benefit Of the
American cause. Malachi fastened the horse
and closing the shop door, wended his way to
the house.
The wind blew keen and cold, and the sky
was overcast with dark clouds.
shouldn't wonder if we had two foot
snow before tomorrow morning. said Nal
achi to himself "and ! rather, by darn
sight, go to an apple bee or quilting party
with Mary Hutton tucked under my arm.
than take a journey to Trenton tonight
However, what can't be cured must be en-
durod as my old school marm used to say
when she piled the birch and so all you've
got to do Molachi Dooltte is to play pos
sum, and not give the Britsher too big a
start
He found the kitchen empty, for Ensign
Spencer being considered in the light Of an
especial guest, the supper-tablc was set in the
parIor
"Rot his pitcher he will making love to
Mary next. said Malachi uneasey "but if
be does, TIL pay him of in his own coin, All.
here is his pistols and heavy riding coat
Well, now Malachi Doolittle, ! don't think
it would be unwholesomo to your constitution
to jerk the prmin' ont of them barkers, for
fear matters might come to a rough-and- tum-
ble.-So here goes, and suiting the action
to the word, the strangers weapons were in
stantly placed in a harmless condition.
When the apprentice entered the parlor, he
found Dorothy Hutton and her daughter
Mary in high glee and good humor-The re-
past was over, but the stranger seemed to be
attracted to the smiths parlor by the bright
ewes of Mary, and looking twice out of the
window into the cold bleak night he gave
shnddor, if 10th to depart on his journey.
Tall Malachi devoured his supper in moody
silence but Notwithstanding his discomfort
at the notice the young officer gave Mary. he
made fearful inroads on the Johnny cako-and
sausage genuine Yankee is seldom so
deep in love that he forsakes his victuals
and such was certainly tall Malachi's case.
When there was no excuse for longer delay,
the apprentice was deputed to fetch his horse
to the door, and thanking his host and host
est for their kind attentions and bestowing
kiss upon the blushing cheek of Mary. he be-
strobe the animal, and set forth at a round
gallop, on his dark and dreary journey.
81 guess I'd better 60 and finish foddering
the cattle, said Malachi, as the clatter Of the
horses hoofs died away in the distance. "Old
Ball has broke his new circingle all to smash.
| calkiate better take the sorrel horse and
40 down to Brunswick tomorrow morning
and get it fixed, as we want to sled some
wood from the swamp. Suppose you can let
me have old Sorrel for little while, squire p
"Why. how on earth could thee go down
to Brunswick without him, Malachi How
foolish YOU do talk tonight"
"Wcll. l didn't know but what You might
want to use him, said Malachi, closing the
door behind him. and starting for the barn.
"Consarn his picture kissed her lips, did he;
We'll. if | don't havo a wrestle with him for
that trick, my name amt Malachi Doolittle.
Jerusalem, how cold it is wish l had my
other shirt on; but it's no use to grumble.
Old Sorrol, put in the big lcks, and you shall
be kept on nothing else but oats and clover
for the balance of your nateral days.-And
now for a parting salute to the boss he adj
ded as he bestrods up to the door Of the
house. "Hollow! Squire Hutton, suthin's
broke loose r.
"Why, Malachi, what is the matteri' asked
the smith, opening the door, lis the barn a
fire, or"
NO. nothin of the kind, boss. But I've
concluded to borrow old Sorrel tonight in
stead of tomorrow morning | know the
whole plot aud am going to take them pa
pers from Ensign Spencer and give them to
George Washington"
"Why, his horse is as feet as the wind,
and he viii be to Trenton before thou art half
way said the smith, with laugh.
"You forgot l shod his horse, boss Hut
ton"
well, he is armed, and win shoot thee as
dead as a nail, if thou dost attempt violence. -
Cant be did, boss l shook the primin'
from his pistols when he was to supper
Thunder and Bolzebub-Lord forgive me
but"
The remainder Of the sentence was lost on
Malachis ear, for with a wild 'ya-hip, ga
long Sorrel, he was following in the track Of
the British spy.
CHAPTER H.
The night was very dark, and fakes of
snow were falling fast over the already whit
ened ground, but old Sorrel was perfectly ac-
quainted with every inch of the ground; and,
as if prompted by an instinct that he was on
business that admitted of no delay, it needed
but little urging on the part of tall Malachi
/ to make him stretch his neck through the
/ village Of Brunswick like greyhound.
Occasionally his rider would rein up and
pause to listen if he could hear the clatter OF
! a horses feet in the distance and when he
/ conld hear no sound hut the moaning of the