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


cess? Suppose, for instance, from pri-
vate sources of information, l we're to
state the purport Of conversation you
had with your daughter this morning du-
ring breakfast
i don't believe you can state anything
Of the sort returned the colonel prompts
ly, with an indignant snort at the suppo-
sition.
'Did you not say that you had finally
decided upon purchasing the Wharton
estate, aud tell Lefty she might begin to
think of preparations for leaving the
Ferns ?
Col. Stark listened to the question in
speechless wonder; surprise and conster-
nation seemed to have suddenly stricken
him dumb; finally, he drew long breath,
then uttered tremendous oath.
That internal niger" be shouted
Tho vile, scoundrelly, treacherous spy !!
That's the fellow, without doubt. Yes,
yes. recollect now that he was in and
out of the room at breakfast, dare say
half dozen times. Directly be heard
me speak of quitting the Ferns, he must
have bolted off with the news to his pre-
cious employer. Ohio ! young fellow, SO
Johtee's your private source of informa-
ton, is he? Eh, sir? Was the niger
your Informant
Really, colonel 1 replied, you must
excuse me | do not feel justified in be-
traying whence my information is deri-
we'd. 1t is enough for mo to be assured
it is correct. Do / understand you to
admit this to be the case
Correct correctr beloved the colo'
mel, with dreadful sarcasm. 'Oyes, Mr..
Parchment, very correct, sir-aighly cor
rect. ! wish | could say as much of the
sense OF honor that permits you to tam
per with my servants, sir. II you find
it impossible to gain your end without
resorting to proceedings of that question
able nature, sir, the less you talk about
correctness the BETTER
And Col. Stark marched up and down
the room in a very wrathful state Of
mind.
'All's fair in love and war, colonel
laughed. You invited stratagem, you
know, and set me the example yourself
in that post chaise business. But don't
admit that you have discovered my source
of information, by any means
of course you don't admit it, sir 7 ex-
claimed the colonel. It's one of the ak,
IONS of your - profession never to ad-
NIT anything. But common sense tells
me that you must have suborned the nig>
ger. How else -. But / shan't
waste another word upon you. I'll put
stop to this business in doube-quick'
That same afternoon, Johtee Lalls
sable visage, wearing very piteous and
implcring expression, appeared at the Of
flee. The Colonel Sahib, he declared,
after administering a savage thrashing
with the big bamboo, had literally kicked
him out of the house. Not knowing
where to 90 the fellow came to me. Lit
tie as he deserved kindness at my hands,
yet, as his discharge was certainly the
result of my operations against his mas
ter, | felt kind of moral obligation to
provide for the mans support. For the
present / committed him to the care OF
Roger Tice. Roger shifted obviously as
he received his charge, offered a mild re-
monstrance, but finally acceded TO my de-
sire, and walked away with Johtee.
A week passed without sign of Col.
Stark at the end of that time, unable, |
suppose, to curb his impatience longer,
he marched down to Bayfield,, and again
presented himself at my uncle's house.
AS before, slipped out of the room i'm
mediately upon his arrival, and re enter.
ed it after be had exchanged few words
with Uncle Ferril.
'Ah, youngster,' was the coloneps greet.
ing, 'how are we getting on now? Any
more choice little bits of intelligence from
sneaks bribed to fetch and carry Aha,
my spark, think your tampering with
my servants has been pretty effectually
stopped
well, colonel replied, we shall see
i have got something to communicate,
certainly, and l hardly think that my
private source of information is at fault.
Did you not tell Miss Stark this morning,
while walking in the grounds at the
Ferns, that you thought of taking her to
town about the end of month after next ?
When the time stipulated in our agree
ment has expired, that is, you know, col
onel. Am / correct?
Ny adversary fell upon'this into such
a passion Of rage that | really feared at
first he would drop dS.4 upon the spot.