Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-04-22
From the Christian Repository.
DODGE s..
By n. B..

day and night at Pages Hotel. He was
dressed in the common farmer costume,
with nothing to distinguish him from
mankind iu general, except the peculiar
manner in which he bundled up his head,
to protect it from the cold, and the mon
strous size of his overshoes. He was,
evidently, a man of means, and altogeth-
er Jolly, good-natured kind Of fel-
low, though, at times, an air of sadness
shaded his countenance. He was travel
ing, ostensibly, as an agent for manu-
featuring company in New York, but
really-so the knowing ones tho't-for
some other purpose.
What time does the stage leave here
for Richford ? asked the stranger.
Day after tomorrow morning, at ten
O'clock responded mine host.
Not till day after tomorrow ?
No. There is mail only every 9th
er day.
That is coming bad. 1t is necessary
that should be in Richford tomorrow
night. Is there no stage to North Troy?'
No. The Richford stage leaves here
at ten a. M, day after to-morrow-drives
to North Troy-and reaches Richford
in time for an early supper.
Can 1 secure private conveyance ?
Here is Mr.. s. said mine host,
pointing to me, perhaps you can make
some arrangement with him to carry you
as far as Dodges.'
'Dodges 2
Yes, ten miles beyond North Troy.
That would he as far as he could drive
and back the same day. You can see
what arrangement you can make with
him. H keeps a team and sometimes
does Jobs of the kind
Tue stranger said no more for some
time. He was evidently in study.
was in a study, too, and mentally resolv,
ed, that if it were possible, would car
ry the man, for a consideration.
Well, my friend he said, at length
addressing me, can you carry me tt
Richford tomorrow
Perhaps not to Richford I can car
ryyou as far as Dodges, if that will do
I will give you three dollars and
half to set me down at Richford, to-mor
row night
Three dollars and half; thought
that will pay me well. The man
evidently bent on going to Riehford-
have a curiosity to carry him. 1 Nigh
as we'll add, that | had curiosity for a
Jobs of the kind, from the fact, that o
such occasions l always took suthing
For four dollars said I, l will under
tai e the job
-Four dollars then,' said he slowl,
go 1 must
What time will you start" said I.
At six
Early the next morning hitched i
'Old Sorrel,' and in company with tt
stranger drove rapidly towards Nort
Troy. 1t was bitter cold day. da
when nature needed little assistance,
ever, and when about four miles out
passing through Newport woods, l DIRE
a flask of brandy from my pocket, ar
holding it up to the stranger, observe
Here friend. this is too cold day to Ri
without something to drink-take sons
No-thank you,' said he, 1 new
use stimulants.'
Take hold, take hold said !, '
can fill it again at Dodges.'
No, never drink, nsver." said
emphaticalIy. / have suffered t
much from it.
/ felt rebuked that he did not drink.
I had been debating in my mind for +
last two miles, whether to sound him il
roundabout way, and find out whett
he ever drank, or whether to put a b
front on the matter, and offer it to him
once. But / had never had the &c
luck to carry teetotaller, and had the
fore. come to the very sage conclusi
that teetotallers didn't travel. But
once, had got a live total abstiner
man, actually Transporting him thi
miles on the line. l thought him stu
very.
Dodge's is a rum-shop, situated on
Missisquoi river road, between No
Troy and Richford. It is a place
considerable notoriety--celebrated in
country around, as low-lived, dra
drinking establishment, from which flo
a continual stream of moral and physi
death to the surrounding neighborbo
It is a favorite resort for the abandon
snd reckless.