Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-02-05


best Of my way back to Bayfield,.
Next morning, ! received the follow
ing characteristic note from Col. Stark;
Young Parcbment--My house war
disturbed last night The ass OF gard
ener, whom I've just sent about his busi
ness, says by thieves; but rs my beieI
that you we're the culprit. Now, mari
this: I've just sent up 10 town for cou
pie Of the fercest bull dogs that can be
bought for money. They will be here
tomorrow. Look out, therefore. for the
safety of the professional hide. Lefty
knows am writing, and sends word she
has nothing TO say to you.
Truly yours,
JOSIAH STARK
This was atrocious. ! ground my teeth
as l handed the episte to my uncle, who
perused it with smile.
Upon The whole, Caleb, not unpromis-
ing, think he said, as he returned the
billet. 1T is something TO have made The
enemy speak. Now, keep quiet for
little, and let's watch the effect
Well, l took my unclv's advice, and
restrained my ardor, though Heaven
knows il was difficult task. went
about my ordinary dulios, and made no
attempt to communicate with Lefty, be-
hayed as ii there were no such torment
ing little person in the world, for full
month then, also by my uncle's advice,
/ recommended hostiliies--in a clumsy
way, however, and by channels sure to be
detected, IL the colonel exercised ordina
ry sharpness. / bribed the Jaundress to
in a note with the house linen,
taking care to be previously seen talking
10 the woman by one of the servants at
The Ferns. Next day, the colonel came
down to the office in high glee, and with
quite a polite air banded me my note,
he should be sorry 10 detain
any property upon which possibly set
value. Similar measures were met in
he like manner, until at last sagacious
Col. Stark, convinced Of the utter futiity
If any efforts of mine to break his block
.de, and strong in the conviction OF his
excessive clevernees, came forward with
\ proposal which, at given period.
should terminate the strife.
Uncle not in, young PounceY said the
swinging one morning into Cur
office with an easy air. No matter
It's you want to speak to principally
Now, just listen to me. For the last six
weeks you've been trying your utmost,
in one way or another, to communicate
with my daughter Lefty behind my back.
Letty's a good girl, and don't believe
she would have anything TO say TO you
against my wish. However, that's not
the question. The plain state Of the
case is this; you say you love Lefty, and
want to get her. Isay I've got her, and
] mean to keep her. Now, it's quite ev.
ident We can't 60 on playing hide and
seek like this for ever; either you must
give in, yield all claim, and shake hands
amicably, or ! must carry Lefty away
somewhere--to town, or abroad, or even
back to India--where you can't follow
Hey, what do you say to that, young
ster p
could only reply that, much as ]
should regret TO be the cause Of Colonel
Stark and his daughter, even temporari
ly, leaving the Ferns, could not consent
in fairness to the lady, to give up the hold
she bad assured me ! possessed upon her
heart, save at her own desire.
Very good. That's as much as to say
you won't give her up. Now, look here.
I've come to propose an arrangement.
Tou have plenty OF assurance, know,
and no doubt fancy you will ultimately
win the day. have a fair share of ex-
perience in strategy, and don't think
you can. Let us put the matter to the
test. Try You, for the spa Of six
months, to take me in, deceive me, clear
ly, plainly. in my own house, under my
own noes, IL you ike, so palpably that
there shall be no mistake about the mat
ter. If you succeed, Ill surrender Let,
ty. II, on the contrary, you fail to hood
wink me within those six months. YOU
shall give me your word Of houor-even
a lawyers got some, | suppose-to draw
of your forces and raise the siege. You
shall relinquish all right, title, claim, and
all the rest Of your jargon, to take adj
vantage OF any promise my girl may
have given you, and leave her free and
unmolested TO marry or not to marry a.
she and may settle. Now, there's |
fair, straightforward proposal, and III
give you ten minutes to think about IT,
The colonel placed his watch before
him upon the table, took up the Times,
and plunged into leader.
My uncle luckily coming in at this mo-
ment, i laid Colonel Siark's proposition
before him, and requested bis advice.