Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-07-10
VOLUME S---NUMBER 20.

how" And he fell into brown study,
from which be was startled by a whisper.
"Massa Sergeant
The sergean, started, looked around
and half drew bis revolver, but seeing
nothing but a juvenile darkey ensconsed
in an angle of the worm fence, he thrust
it back again.
"Hollo, Nick, you imp Of darkness !!
he cried, recognizing one of the house
servants of the Jeffs, upon whom he had
bestowed several small favors.
"Step here, Massa Sergeant. Don't
let no one see you, and I'll tell you some
fin"
A long and anxious confab ensued,
interspersed with considerable cursing
on the part of the military gentleman,
at the end Of which the sergeant took his
way to the camp instead of the post in a
study far browner than that from which
he had so recently emerged.
At precisely noon of the next day,
look into the dining-room of the Jefs
would have disclosed the sergeant, and
with one exception, the entire picket
under his command, sitting at the table,
their arms stacked in the hall, making an
onset before which the dinner vanished
like chaf before the wind.
One hour passed.
Suddenly steps were heard on the pi-
azza.
."Don't disturb yourselves said one
of the young ladies, going to the win
dow. ITS only some of the niggers."
Il WON'T" replied the sergeant, with
tender glance.
The steps came on the stairs-up them
the young ladies glanced uneasily around,
but the sergeant never stirred. There
was stir in the hall, followed by sud
den rush, and about twenty-five Of Ash
by's cavalay made their entrance, with
an utter disregard to the proprieties Of
life and the presence of ladies.
"You may as well give yourselves up
quietly" smiled the Sergeant's % con-
quest to her adored and bis followers, who
were consulting in the corner to which
they had retreated. my brothers al
ways treat their prisoners we'll and we
have your guns"
"Wel, darned if ever saw such per-
fdy !" cried the Sergeant, throwing his
hat from the window in a rage.
"Give me five minutes to collect my
self, Lieutenant" turning to the com
mander of the troop-"aud III tell you
what I'll do"
"All right, my boy-take six" re-
turned the young lady's brother, in the
most good natured manner sitting down
and pitching into the dinner like a bali
starved dragoon as he was, an uncere-
monious example, which was inflated by
his followers.
Five minutes passed. A tramping
was heard outside.
"Darn those horses exclaimed Lieut..
JEFF, with his mouth full of corn bread
and broiled chicken. "There is no guard
there. Tom, go down and see if they're
getting unhitched."
Tom filed his mouth full of the
same articles, picked up bis carbine and
started
He looked back as he reached the
door.
"Keep me some fodder, Lieutenant.
| am--. What the deuce is"
Bangl
Blue wreaths of smoke circle into the
room and sluggishly roll upward, and
Tom pitches heavily forward with bull
let through his brain, never more to rise,
while several files of the 29Sth Regi-
nent emerged from the smoke and march
I'd over him, their muskets at charge
and at the same time, each of the pick
els at the other end Of the room produced
lis revolver and marked his man.
"Have to trouble you to surrender,
remarked the Sergeant, with
4 condescending wave of bis hand to-
wards the secesh. "You see you haven't
got all our arms"
"Just my luck !" cried the Lieutenant.
Here am taken prisoner before | have I
lalf eaten the only dinner l have seen {
n month"
"Don't let me interfere" interrupted |
he Sergeant, with a native politeness.
Take you to the camp any time"
The lieutenant looked at his men and
Tinked They grinned back their re- l
ponse. But the Sergeant was oblivious, t
md the meal proceeded.
All at once its progress was interrupt
d by dropping shots on the road, the 5