Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-02-12
From Chambers Journal for September, 1863
Sure to Win.
AN OLD FASHIONED ENGLISH LOVE
STORY.
(Concluded from last soeek.)
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER Ill.
Omen hostilities were therefore now
declared-Stutely versus Stark, Themls
against Mars, Bayfield, aud the Ferns
the scene of action, six months the dura-
tion q the campaign.
After the colonel's departure, my un-
CT, and | held consultation. Our de-
liberaions resulted in this conclusion,
that sonA means of communication with
Lefty mus positively be found. The col
onel's vigilan,e was only to be baffled by
securing an an within the garrlson.-
None could be SO Fectual or valuable as
Lefty, if we could onv engage her on
our side. Now, how wa this to be ac-
complished
We were lawyers, and between .s we
conceived plan. 1t was stacy, romah
tic, and hazardous; its success was very
doubtful; its failure would only cause the
enemy to double his watchfulness. Bu
his insolent defiance had put US upon oul
mettle, and we resolved ts leave no vile
untried to secure victory.
Not far from my uncle's house lived an
old college chum and lifelong friend, DR.
Polt. Like habits, like tastes, like poll
tics, like bachelorhood, bound the tive
strongly together. The doctor was the
Oldest medical man in Bayfield,. He was
in very toIerable circumstances, and had
of late years almost retired from prac-
tice, maintaining his connection only with
few families, many of whose members
he had INTRODUCED into existence. The
intimate terms upon which Uncle Ferril
and DIR. Polt stood rendered the latter
fully cognizant Of all the circumstances
attending my troubled love-passage, and
his warmest sympaihies were for our sue
cess. Much of this feeling may have
been owing TO the colonel having on sew
eral occasions treated the doctor with
considerable rudeness. Col. Stark, cram
med with Indian prejudices, did not see
why he should be civil to the vet, as he
chose to call our old friend. DR.. Polt
was a short man, and short men are
touchy upon the point of personal digni-
~.
Big, blatant blusterer !! exclaimed the
doctor to my uncle one evening, when
Col. Stark's want Of urbanity formed the
topic of discourse. Il wish he'd fall ill,
and call me in, Ferril. Wouldn't | phys
ic him? Ahap And the doctor glared
balefuIly over bis spectacles, in manner
intended to signify that the pharmacoPGia
would hardly afford the tremendous COM
pounds he should like to inAict upon his
enemy.
Dr. Polt entered heart and soul into
the little plot my uncle and devised for
Col. Stark's confusion.
'Ay, ay, boy be calculated, rubbing
his hands gleefully, when l told him what
had been resolved upon, and asked his
assistance-'Ill help, I'll help willingly.
Twill be almost as pleasant as prescrib-
ing this nigger-Aog colonel asafetida
and creosote. Ay, ay, I'll be ready
Riding into Bayfield,, therefore, accor>
ding to custom, one frosty forenoon, it
happened that my usually well-behaved
mare began to grow restive as approach
ed the house of DR.. Polt. Feigning to-
lose temper, punished her pretty Sc
verely about the head and ears. The
mare began to kick began to reel in
my seat a sentimental cheesemonger's
daughter tripping past with a three-vol-
ume novel under her arm, began to
scream; the mare started, reared, my
feet left the stirrups, and went to the
ground with crash just opposite the doc
tors door. The mare galloped wildly
down the street.
DIR. Polt was upon the watch, and
pounced upon the case in an instant, like
a vigilaut spider upon needless fly.
'Hullo hullol What's the matter !?
How's this p exclaimed the doctor, as
naturally as if the whole thing bad not
been pre-arranged. Who's this tumb-
ling off his horse like a sack of oats ?
Why, dear me Can it be? No? Yes
Positively, so it is. Bless my soul,
it is my young friend Stutely Dear,
dearl What a sad piece of business
No bones broken, hope. Let's see.-l
Him hm = passing his hand rapidly over
my limbs as ] lay upon the ground, hard
ly able to restrain my laughter. Skull
not cracked no, no, impossibe-too
thick. Lie still, young gentleman, if you
please. Collar"bone all right. Radius,
ulna-no damage right or left. Not bro
ken his neck-time enough for that to
haPpen-nOr yet his spine. Any ribs |