Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-01-13

denly l felt heavy band placed on my
shoulder. and turning my head around,
to my horror, found myself in the grasp
of as i'll looking a sooundrel as ever es.l
capped the gallows.
What are you doing here, my good
fellow he exclaimed in gruff voice,
giving me a shake.
i Taking stroll BY moonlight, re-
piled, endeayoring to maintain my pres
ence Of mind.
We'll, perhaps you'll jus. stroll in
here, viii youT returned The ruffan.
pushing open the door, and dragging me
in after him.
An the inmates Of the barn immedi-
ately stopped work, and rushed towards
US when they saw me.
Why, what's this ? they an exclaim-
ed.
"A loafer l found peeping outside,
said the man who had captured me.
Hes a traveller that came 10 the
tavern tonight and asked for lodging
/ the last time saw him he was safely in
bed said the landlord.
The men withdrew TO corner Of the
apartment, leaving one to keep guard
over me. / soon saw they were in
earnest consultation, and were evidently
debating some important question. The
man keeping guard over me said nothing
but scowled fiercely. I had not uttered
a single word during all the time had
been in the barn. l was aware that
whatever I might say would, in all prob
ability only do more harm than good, and
it has always been maxim OF mine to
hold my tongue when in doubt.
At last the discussion seemed to be
settled, for the blackest and dirtiest Of the
whole came forward, and, without any
introduction exclaimed:
Il say. stranger, look here. You must
dier
4 did not move muscle, nor utter =
word
You have found out our secret-and
/ J,oj ,,,..,, to1l a., t,l.s
was silent.
We give you ten minutes to say your
prayers, and also allow you the privilege
of saying whether you win he hansed.or
shot
Suddenly an idea struck mr. ! re-
membered something that might save my
life. I burst into a violent fit Of laughter
i'm fact it was hysterical, but they did
not know that. They looked from one
to another in the greatest amazement.
Wen, he takes it mighty cool, any
how said one.
suppose he don't think we're in car.
nest said another.
Come, stranger, you had better say
your prayers, said the man who had
first spoken times flies
My only reply was fit Of laughter
more violent than the first.
t The mans mad they exclaimed.
'Or drunk said some.
Well, boys I cried, speaking for th'
first time, 'tIis is the best joke eve
: seed-whati hang pal?'
A pal-you pail?
} Why certainly am
e What's your name
Did you ever hear of Dick Brad
shawn asked.
You may be certain Of that. Ain
he at the head of our perfessionY
$ Well, then. I'm Dick Bradshaw
j. You Dick Bradshaw ? they all ez
!, claimed.
: You may bet your life on that Re
e turned staggering up to the corner wher
y I had seen the old woman counting an
:, packing the notes.
e Fortune favored me. None Of I'll
I. men present had ever seen Dick Brae
d shaw, and my staggering. insoIent mar
IS ner had somewhat thrown them of the
it guard, yet could plainly see that a
3 their doubts we're not removed.
ie And you call these ere fimseys we
a done. do your Iasked, taking Up a pael
d ct Of the counterfeit notes We'll, all
y can say Is that If you can't DO better .ha
n this, you bad better shut up shop, that
f, all.
a Can you show Us anything better
re asked one Of the men.
n ! rayther think ] can. II could
e, I'd 90 and hang myself
on Lets zee IT, they at cried.
-st This vas my las; eoup, and one
Of which / knew my lie depended. II
lis happened that on that very day bad
be counterfeit ter dollar Bib passed On a