Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-08-23

} about thirty miles from Kendall when
ascertained, from an overheard conversa
: ton of one of the three with the coach
I man, that they intended to get down at
, roadside tavern more than six miles from
that place.
DO you know this house they intend.
ed to stop at" Inquired of my assistant
as soon as got out of sight and hearing
at the back Of the premises.
"Quite well; it is within about two
miles of Five Oaks House.
Indeed! Then you must stop there
too. 1t is necessary / should go on to
Kendall with Mr.. Bristowe; but you can
remain and watch their proceedings"
With all my heart"
" But what excuse canyon make for
remaining there, when they know you are
booked for Kendall? Fellows of that
stamp are keenly suspicious; and in order
to be useful, you must be entirely unsus-
pected."
"Oh, leave that to me. I'll throw dust
enough in their eyes to Mind a hundred
such as they, warrant ys."
Well, we shall see. And now to
dinner"
Soon after the coach lad once more
started Mr.. Josiah Barnes commenced
drinking from a stone bottle which he
drew from bis pocket; and SO potent must
have been the spirit it coitained that he
became rapidly intoxicated. Not only in
speech, but eyes, body, arms legs, the
entire animal, by the time we reached
the inn where he had agreed we should
stop, was thoroughly, hopeessly drunk
and so savagely qUarrelsote, too, did he
become, that expected every instant to
hear my real vocation poin.ed out for the
edifcaiion of the company. Strange to
say, utterly stupid and savage as he
seemed, all dangerous topics were care
fully avoided. When the coach stopped
he got outflow, know not--and reeled
and tumbled into the tap-roonl, from which
he declared he would not bulge an inch
till next day. Vainly did the coachman
demonstrate with him upon bis foolish
obstinacy he might as well have argued
with a bear and he ar ivngeir determined
to leave him to his drunken humor. !
was out of patience with the fellow; and
snatching an opportunity when the room
was clear, began to upbraid him for nis
vexatious folly. He looked sharply
around, and then, his body as evenly
balanced, his eye as clear, his speech as
free as my own, crowed out in low eX
ulting voice, Didn't ! tell you I'd man.
age it nicely ?" The door opened, and,
in a twinkling, extremity of drunkenness
of both brain and limb was again as
sumed with a perfection Of acting | have
never seen equalled. He bad studied I.
from nature, that was perfectly clear.
was quite satisfied, and with renewed |
confidence obeyed the coachman's call to
take my seat. Mr. Bristowe and | were
the only inside passengers; and as further
disguise was useless, began stripping |
myself of my superabundant clothing, /
wig, spectacles, ETC., and in few min
utes with the help Of bundle had with |
me, presented to the astonished gaze of
my fellow traveller the identical person
that had so rudely accosted him in the |
coffee-room of the Saracens Head Inn.
Why, what in the name of all that is
comical is the meaning Of this 2" demand
ed Mr.. Bristowe, laughing immoderately
at my changed appearance,
l briefly and coolly informed him and
he was for some minutes overwhelmed
with CONSERVATION and astonishment,-
He had not, he said even heard of the
catastrophe at bis uncle's, Still, amazed
and bewildered as he was, no sign which
could interpret into an indication Of
guilt escaped him.
81 do not wish to obtrude upon your
Mr.. Bristowe, l remarked,
after long pause; "but you must per-
ceive that unless the circumstances l have
related to you are in some way explained,
you stand in a perilous predicament."
"You are right" he replied, after some
hesitation. at is tangled web; still,
doubt not that some mode Of vindicating /
my perfect innocence will present itself"
He then reIapsed into silence and nei-
.ber of us spoke again till the coach
stopped, in accordance with previous
l had given the coachman at
he gate of the Kendall prison. Mr..
Bristowe, started, and changed color but
instantly mastering bis emotion,he calmly
said. " You of course but perform your
luty; mine is not to distrust just and
,ll-seeing Providence"