Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-11-20
The White Feather.

, tlng paragraph from the editorial col
umns Of an exchange, (he Standard
refecting on us as aliens, we declared
our readiness TO place our names on the
roll Of recruits, provided the self-styled
American patriot" headed the list
Last week we signfed our intention oil
disclosing some interesting develope-
, ments in case the dmende honorable
was not forthcoming. This we have moi
received-we ought not, perhaps, to have
expected it, as this would have required
considerable moral courage on the part
of the person from whom it was due
which we are well aware that individual
never possessed. Now for the "devel
opment
On the Friday afternoon following our
publication of the challenge above allu
ded to, A. A. Earle, the editor of the
Standard. having, as he supposed, screw
ed up his courage to the sticking point,
made his appearance in our office, sup
ported on either side by two men, when
he explained his intention of accepting
our challenge, and requesting US to fulfil
our part by placing our names after his
on the roll of recruits. Immediately
donuing our coats and hats, we declared
ourselves ready, and together took up the
! line of march in the direction Of the re-
cruitiug office. Arrived there, we ex-
pressed our desire to enlist in the l7th
Vermont, Ga new regiment now forming }
To this Mr.. Earle at first demurred,
stating that we must enlist in the same
regiment with himself, and that he inten-
ded enlisting in the 1lth. In this, how
ever, he was finally overruled, when il
appeared that the recruiting officer, Mr..
Charles |. Val,) was authorized to &C.
cept recruits for the lth Regiment only.
Mr.. Earle now suggested that before en-.
listing, it would be best that we pass
medical examination. We answered that
we could see no necessity for such step
that so far as we could judge of our
selves we were perfectly sound, and if he
was not, he would have the advantage,
as in that case he would be exempted
while we should be obliged to go-that
we were willing to run our chances OF
that. Finding argument of no avail, we
separated with the intention of meeting
again after supper, when we were to be
examined by the physician in each oth~
er's presence. In the mean time we con-
cluded, in order that there might be no
further pretext for objection on his part,
to enlist in the 11th Regiment and to
"place our names after his on the roll"
Having finished our repast, we pro-
ceeded together to the residence of Mr..
Earle. After sundry vigorous pulls at
the door bell, and some further time
spent in lingering in a nervous and agita-
ting manner with the key on the inside
Of the door, (Which, by the way, was not
locked, nor even letched) we were admit
ted by that gentleman. who stood, hand
kerediT IN hand, looking the impersona>
ton OF the ghost Of Hamlet
'Pale-Nay, very pale"
AT the first glance we perceived that the
- glory had departed from Israel. We ,,
him Of our intention to enlist
with him in the 11th, and desired him to
accompany US and "fnish up this business
at once" But be chad not eaten his
supper yet" SO telling him to hurry up
his cakes as we had other business to
attend to, we left him, he promising to
meet US at Wilson's drug store in half an
hour. After waiting until our patience 6
was exhausted, we again started for his i
residence, thinking that percbance he
might haze forgotten his appointment. 7
We, however, had the good fortune 10 \
meet him on the road, and at his sugges- !
ion proceeded to DR.. Adgate's. On our .
way thither we were amused by our com.
lanion with remarks something like the !
olowing: (In remarkably tame voice, :.
adly at variance with his tone and man.
er some two hours belore.) How !.
ow long do you think it will be, in case :
re enlist, before they will order US to join y
be regiment?" We answered that we
ould not tell-tomorrow it may be-"
)n hearing this our "patriotic Amer
,an citizen exclaimed " in accents wild be
=" cannot 60 in less than four or five a
'eeksP We replied that be was fully ca
5 able to 60 as ourselves, remarking ia
nat he had changed his tune somewhat ur
ithin a short time, rs two hours before h
e expressed his wish TO enlist to>night. 10
Yes, but then only think of the sacri- W.
ce p ooh, sacrifice be blowed think "
f your countryl" we replied with as u
luch gravity as we could assume. Said :, =