Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-02-12
WHOLE NO. 424.

filled and strained till they stood out as
rigid and taut as cordage he gurgled in
his throat as he gasped and strove for
breath.
Those Internal reptilesp yelled the
colonel, when he bad sufficiently MASTER
ed his indignation to find words; those
vile, mercenary, traitorous servants Of
mine /! Why, you must have corrupted
all the household. But I'll punish 'em.
Stay you here till come back, and I'll
put your boasted sources to the test. If
you can answer what l ask you then,
Josh Stark's a Dutchman, that's all
The colone! hurried away. Upon
reaching home, he instantly discharged
all the servants in the house, paid them
their wages, and gave them an hour to
get clear off the premises, standing GRIM
ly by watch in hand as they filed away.
Then he rushed back to Bayfield,, burst
into the office, and required me to tell
him what he had done.
From my private source of informa>
tion, l was able to comply with Colonel
Stark's demand. forbear TO character
ize the language of which he made use
upon receiving my answer, further than
by stating that his expressions were most
discourteous and of highly actionable
kind.
Grown wiser by experience, Colonel
Stark acted now as he should have acted
from the first, and shut himself up in his
fortalice altogether. When the new SER
wants arrived from town few days after
tie dismissal of their predecessors, he
cut off communication with the world
without. All the supplies required for
this garrison were taken in through the
halfopened door by one of the servants,
: appointed for that office, and supervised
by himself or Lefty. As an extra meas
ure of precauIion, he had all the locks
changed upon all tho doors by gorkme...
from distance, bells attached to the win
dows, strong bolts and bars fitted to the
shutters, every loophole at which even
mouse might enter the fortress blocked
and barricaded. 1t is not unusual, fam
cy, after the steed has been stolen, care.
fully to brick up the stable-door.
As soon as these measures had been
taken, the colonel once more presented
himself at the office, aud desired to know
if ] had anything to tell him. Again,
and for the fourth time, my private sour
ces aided me. He probably fancied
had learned what had happened from the
: workmen, for this time, in place of going
into passion, the enemy listened in ST.
lence, then nodded thoughtfulIy, and
Withdrew.
We gave Colonel Stark fortnight to
recover his selfpossession, and feel the
inconvenience of the blockade be had
established, then proceeded to strike tho
final blow.
Six weeks still remained of the time
originally stipulated, when Uncle Ferril
and l set out together for the Ferns
We sent in our names to the colonel, and
after some hesitation, were admitted into
the library. There sat the enemy, look
ing worn and haggard. He pointed to
chairs, and we sat down. Much Of what
is popularity called the bounce had been
evidently taken out of the colonel. His
manner was more cautious, less defiant.
Our visit clearly made him i'll at ease, but
he waited silently to hear what we had
to say.
My uncle and have called upon you,
Colonel Stark began, TO claim the ful
ilment of your contract
Here the enemy was unable to repress
a start, showing how much his nervous
system had become affected of late still,
be uttered never word. went on.
Upon four distinct and separate occa-
sions the stipulation contained in that
agreement has been carried out. I have
repeated conversations which I never
lheard, related circumstances which new
er saw, and you have admitted both TO be
correct. You have adopted various meth
DDS to discover the source Of my inform.
alton you have been unable to discover
1t you are unacquainted with it even
now. If necessary, | am prepared to
repeat my execution of the stipulation
for longer period But it is not neces-
sary. / maintain that | have fully, duly
and amply carried out my portion of the
agreement; and l call upon you, as q
man of honor and gentleman, 10 perform
yours. My uncle will testify that his
opinion comedies with mine.'
The colonel had listened to this little
speech in perfect silence be now turned,
still mutely. towards Uncle Ferril