Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-01-27
A GAME DINNER.

Shortly after the war with Great Bri-
tain, an aristocratie English gentleman
built fine residence in the vicinity OF
Fort George, on the Niagara frontier,
and, in accordance with the old country
idea of exclusiveness, he enclosed his
ground with a high, tight fence. Here
he lived like an old English gentleman
--one of the olden t'me-with the ex-
ception that none but the elite of the
Province and the officers of the neigh
boring garrison were allowed to pass his
gate. There was very good under
standing between the American officers
at Fort Niagara and the British at Fort
George, and the men were permitted &C.
casIonally to visit back and forth. Among
the American soldiers was queer chap, |
who suffered terribly, was very found
of hunting, and who was always getting
into some sort of mischief.
One day this chap took the small boat
that lay moored at the foot of the walls
of the fort, and crossed over to the Cam
adian shore for hunt. He wandered
over several miles in the rear of Fort
George, but without meeting any game,
and on his return seeing crow on a
tree within the enclosure of the aristo-
cratic Englishman, he scaled the high
fence, fired, brought down his game. Col
onel, or whatever his title may have been
we will call him colonel, anyhow-wit-
messed the transaction, and advanced
while our soldier was re-loading. He
was very angry, but seeing the Yankee
standing cos,lly with a loaded gun in his
hand, he gulped down his passion for a
moment, and merely asked him if he had
killed the crow. The Yankee replied
he did. / am very sorry, said the
Colonel, for he was pet. By-the-bye,
that is very pretty gun-wili you be SO
kind as to let me look at it. The soldier
complied with the request. The En-; lish.
man took the gun, stepped back few
PAGES took deliberate aim, then broke
forth in a TRADE of abuse, concluding
with an order to stoop down and take a
bite of the crow, or he would blow his
brains out. The soldier explained, apol-
ogized and entreateG. 1t was no use.
There was shoot in the Englishman's
eye-there was no help for it-and the
suffering soldier stopped down and took
q bite of the crow, hut swallow it he
could not. Up came his break fast-hi5
dinner the day before, and it really ap-
peared as if he would throw up hi, toe
nails. The Englishman gloated on the
misery of his victim, and smiled compla-
Gently at every additional heave. When
he had got through vomiting, and had
wiped his eyes, the Colonel handed him
his gun, with the remark, Now, you
rascal, that will teach you how to poach
on gentleman's enclosure.
The Yankee soldier took his gun, and
the Colonel might have seen the devil in
his eye if he had looked close. Step
ping back he took aim at the heart of his
host, and ordered him instantly to finish
the crow. Angry expostulations, pray
ers and entreaties were useless things.
There was shoe, in the American eye,
as there had been in the English eye be-
fore. There was no help at hand, and
he took bite of the crow. One bite
was enough to send all the good dinners
he had eaten lately on the same journey
with the garrison fare of the soldier. and
while the Englishman was in the agony
of sickness, Jonathan escaped TO the
American shore.
f The next morning early, the Com
mandant of Fort Niagara was sitting in
his quarters, when Col. -- was an
nounced. Sir said Col. -,
come to demand the punishment of one
of your men, who yesterday entered my
6 premises and committed n great outrage.
We have three hundred men, here
and it would be difficult for me to know
: whom it is you mean, said tie officer.
The Engiishman described him as 8
long, dangling, suffering, stoop-shoulde,
devil.
: Ali know who you mean,' sale
the officer he is always getting int
mischief. Orderly, call Tom
In few moments Tom entered. ant
= stood as straight as his natural bult
would allow, while not trace of emotion
was visible in his countenance.
'Tom,' said his officer, do you know
this gentleman ?
Ye-ye-ye-eS, SIR
Where did you see him before7'
I'LL said Tom, suffering awfully
but retaining the grave exnressioD ma