Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-02-12

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knowing no reaso for secrecy, replied
that the chaise hadbeen ordered for that
evening by my Ucle Ferril, who was
going to the north The colonePs ever
ready suspicious wee instantly aroused /;
he determined to day his journey for
day, to see if this unsual'event conceal
ed mischief. Ostetibly, however, he
made no change in hi arrangements /; at
the appointed time, tn chaise conveyed
him from the Ferns, nd took the road
for the metropolis; buat the post town
ten miles off he haltedbrdered the post
, boys to remain where thy were until the
ensuing day, and returhd to the Ferns
secretly and on foot ny note to Lefty
arriving shortly afterwards, WAS inter
cepted by the coloneP' vigilance, 1t
showed him at once thai his precautinn
was fully justified. Unter some preteSt,
he obtained from Lefty he answer re-
ceived, and the subsequent plot was car
ried out without her knowledge.
Well, my courage WIS not dampentd
even by this failure. Let.y's genuite
concurrence was absolutely essential aad
l tried another scheme. / re-wrote ny
explanation to Lefty of the present state
of affairs, and dispatched it to my sister
Grace 10 town. As oldschoolmates, the
two corresponded frequently. | asked
Grace to visit the lady-principal of he
establishment where the girls had been
educated, and telling that respectable in
structress she was going to pass few
days with Miss Sta'k, offer to AXE
charge of any communication she might
desire to send. Postage rates were high
in those days; shillina were needed to
purchase the privileges pence now buy ;
and such an offer as this was not uncom-
mon, My sister was to copy my note to
Lefty, and append it to the packet of
correspondence. hoped that colonel
Stark, who would infallIbly open the
parcel, seeing it was made up o. many
sheets in that delightfully."- angular femin-
inc hand, so difficult to decipher, after
wadng through page OF two of latest
fashions and school gossip, would toss
over the remainder to lis daughter in
disgust. l replied upon Letty's superb
or ingenuity then to discover a method
ofreply.
Within a week from the concoction Of
this notable scheme, large packet was
delivered by Johtee Lall at the office
from Col. Stark. 1t was directed to me
Opened, out fell the lady principals bud.
get, my sisters missiye to Lefty, and a
scrap of paper whereupon was written
"No 60, Parchment; try again.
This last failure almost broke down
my resolution. Fortune seemed desper-
ate against me. How was this lynx-eyed
disciplnarian to be lulIed asleep? In
my despair, / turned to my uncle, and
humbly besought his assistance.
We'll, Caleb replied Uncle Ferril,
refreshing himself with pinch of snuff,
'TYe no objection to give you whatever
help is in my power. It's not perhaps
strictly professional to be mixed up in
these matters, but plainly see you'll be
nonsuited unless | give advice. Still, /
will only aid upon condition you shall
not inquire what measures l employ
l assented eagerly.
Then write to Miss Lefty again, and
l will see what can be DONE
One day passed-two days-three.-
No answer. Upon the fourth day came
from the Ferns a packet of documents
relating to some property in the neigh
borhood of Bayfield, Col. Stark desired
to purchase. Out of the mortgage drop
ped a neat little note from Lefty, ad-
dressed to me. seized it in triumph.
Now how do you think my astute old
uncle contrived SO easily what had baffied
my less practced ingenuity? Very sim
ply indeed. did not make the discov-
cry myself until some time after, but
this was how he proceeded. Going to
the Ferns apparently to consult the colo
mel about the property just mentioned, he
managed to time his visit so as TO find his
client and Lefty at their morning exer-
else in the grounds. My uncle took the
colonel's arm and walked in front of Let
ty, but contrived, in the course Of the in
terview, carelessly placing his arm upon
his back, to exhibit my note between his
fingers. Lefty demurely tripped forward,
deftly extracted the missive from its hi
ding place, and slipped it into her pocket.
A few lines from Uncle Ferril pointed
out the packet of deeds as fit vehicle
for her reply.
Letty's answer was more than satisfac-
tory-it confirmed my belief that her ia
ther had purposely kept her in ignorance