Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-08-31

a little, where's my mail 2
| My passenger sat on the seat behind
me, aud turned toward him.
Here is a bag Of some Kind slipped |
back unaer my feet. he said, giving it a
kick. as though he'd showed it forward.
Ju&a at that moment my horse lumber
ed into deep snow drift, and l was
torced to get out and tread down the snow
ahead Of them, and lead them through
liz.
This took ne al OF fifteen minutes,
and whenl got ia again pulled the mail
hag forward and got my feet upon it'll
As was doing this, saw the man take
something from his lap, beneath the buff
ialo, and put il in bis breast pocket. Az
this thought it was a pistol. | had
caught the gleam Of the barrel in the
starlight. aud when had time to reflect,
: knew could not be mistaken.
About this time began to think some
what seriously. From what had seen
and heard, soon made up my mind that
the individual behind me not only meant
to rob the mail, but he was prepared to
rob me Of my life. II ! resisted him
he would shoot me, and perhaps he meant
; TO perform that delectable operation at
any rate. While l was pondering, the
horses plunged into another deep snow
drift and ] was again forced to get out
and tread down the snow before them
| asked my passengerif If be would help
me, but be said he didn't feel very we'll
aud wouldn't try; SO | worked alone, and
was all Of quarter Of an hour getting
my team through the drifts. When l
c got into the sleigh again, began to feel
for the mail bag with my feet. / found
+ it where / had left il; but, when / at
tempted to withdrw my foot, discover
|, ed that il had become entangled in some
G thing-I thought il the buffalo, and tri-
cd to kick il clear; but the more ] kick
q ed, the more closely was 1t held. /
7 reached down my hand, and after feeling
J about a few moments, found that my
: foot was in the mail bag ! felt again,
u and found my hand in among the pack
} ages of letters and papers! / ran my
/ fingers over the edges Of the opening,
. and became assured that the stout leaih-
! er had been cut with knife
e Here was discovery. l began to
r wish had,taken little more forethought
le before leaving Danbnry; but as knew
that making such wishes was only a
f waste Of time, quickly gave it up, and
Is began 10 consider what | had best do
under the existing circumstances. !
a wasn't long IN maIsing up my mind upon
ht a few essential points. First, the mar
70 behind me was villain; second, be bad
& cut open the mail az, and robbed il Of
d some valuable matter, lie must have
Is known The money letters by their size
. and shape; third, he meant to leave ihe
Of stage on the FIRST opportunity; ant
II fourthly, he was prepared 10 shoot me j
r. | attempted 70 arrest or detain him.
Is IresoIved these matters over in my
a mind, and pretty soon / thought Of
o course to pursue. / knew If I could q
I my hands safely upon the rascal, mus
Is take him wholly unawares, and this
ry could not 10 while be was behind me
ye. for his eyes were upon me all the lint
eli 80 1 must resort 70 strasagem. Only
no little ahead was house an old farme
~ named Lougee lived there, and Direct.
oy before which was large snow bani
"a stretched across the road, through whie
,at a track for wagons had been cleared wit
rk shosels.
ye A. we approached lhe cut, sasg Il ligi
80 t4 AfaN AfNtAk AJ3tAs IL = tNAk aAHf&At-Nt
.en should, for tie old man generally sal q
! until the stage went by. ] drove Of
and when nearly opposite the dwellin
30 stood ap as ] bad frequently done 'ghe
approaching diaiculs pisces. ! saw Ii
Euow bank ahead, and eoaid disliognia
the deep cat which bad been shosele
through 4 ] urged ny horses to % goa
= speed, and when near tie bank i9ree
leh them into il, One of the runners uloai
ere ted ille edee of ne bank, afieFWari Il
g& other run into llse cus, thus ibFosing ii
]. sleigh over about a. quick q shous
Do lightning had siaack Il. My paseag
get had not calculated On any such mox
70 ment, and wasn'f prepared ioF il, but
bad calculated. and was prepared. :
ne3 rolled out into the deep snow, with
Il heavy buffalo robe about hisas While
ae lighted upon ny feet directly oa Top
..e4 him. ! punched his bead into the 500
,as and lhen sang oas for Old Loagee. d
not have to call 3 second time. f9f {
farmer haa come 10 the window 10 4