Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-06-12


than his preaching; his language was
strong and colloquisl. The most awful
groans usually followed his denunciations
against hardened and impenitent sinners
and many attributed their conversion
from wicked life, to the preaching OF
the "Old Gardiner" In the midst OF
apparently extreme ignorance, and, il
what | have heard related respecting
some incidents of his life be true, nc
small degree OF cunning, he possessed
great personal courage. OF this, the
following incident affords ample evi-
dence:
The "Old Gardener" was once sub
jected to burglary and attempt at rob-
berry. He lived with his wife, a coun-
terpart of himself, in a small and some
what dilapidated cottage, not far from
the high road. Three young "squires, "
of large expectations, who had just
finished their studies at the University,
and who all despised and hated Metho-
dism, having beard that the old man
had been recently making a collection to
build a Methodist chapel, thought it
would be a good fro!ic to rob him, tenn
polarily, of bis collection. A plan was
Immediately formed, and a time appoint
ed for carrying it into execution. 1t is
supposed that the old man must have had
some information of the plot from
Methodist servant in the employ of the
mother of one of the young gentlemen
The result of the frolic is best related
in the words of one the actors:
We set out, said he, "upon our ex-
pedition with blackened faces, on a dark
night, little before twelve o'clock. The
Old Gardener was one of my fathers
tenants, so | knew the localities of the cot
tage we'll We had diued late, and all
Of US had Dutch as well as Cornish
yet, l confess, when it came
to the point l felt myself coward. l
began to reflect that it was but das
tardly frolic to frighten poor old man
and his wife in the dead of night. |
was acquainted with the history Of the
old man. and bis simple mode of life,
and once, out of curiosity, had heard
him preach. His preaching was utterly
and his appearance in his
-ub-like pulpit, was at times,' when he
was wrought up into a fit Of enthusiasm,
ruly awful. One of his very frequent
expressions was 4 am sure l am under
he protection Of the Almighty, and
neither man nor the devil can harm me.
Those words rang in my ears, and al
hough / had determined to form one of
he party who had plotted together to
.ob the old man, l ultimately comprised
With conscience. by resolving to remu-
lerate lin for the fright-if such man
,ould be frightened.
The clock struck twelve. Now
,omes the witching time of night" ex-
'laimed Tom.
Don't let US frighten the poor old
couple out of their WITS" said |.
No" said Ryder, "we viii be gentle |
as Robin Hood and little |
John"
"I said that l would rather travel
'ack than proceed. Recollect, said ],
be old fellow is an old soldier, as well as
saint, and fears nothing human"
"Nonsense p exclaimed Ryder, "here
,oes." He pressed the feeble door of
he cottage in which the. old man re-
ided it Immediately gave way and flew
pen. We entered, and found ourselves
n sort of kitchen. To our great
urprise there was a light shining from
N inner room. This made us hesitate.
"Who is out there at this time of
light? ?" exclaimed hoarse voice from
within. knew it to be the unmistaka-
lie voice of the Old Gardener.
"Give US your money. and no harm
hall befall you," said Tom, shut we
nust have your money"
"The Lord will be my Defence" re-
oined the Old Gardener. "You shall get
% money from me; all in the house is
be Lord's-take it ifyou dare"
A" We must and will have it, said we,
S we entered the inner room, after
aking the precaution of fastening the
hamber door as we entered.
We soon wished we had suffered it to
emain open as you will see.
"Now consider us face TO face with
he Old Gardener; and a pretty sight
resented. Three rufians (ourselves,)
nth white wagoner's frocks and black
ned faces. Before us the Old Garden
r, sitting on the side of his bed. He
rore a red worsted night-cap, a checker
4 shirt and a flannel iackef. his irnn-