Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-07-21


main till morning, and all the male ne
groes on the place we're required TO sleep
under their masters roof.
: For several days Mr.. Belcher and his
family remained unmolested, and nothing
more was heard from the Masons, in the
meantime-whether because they knew
or suspected, that their intended victim
was prepared for them, or because they
wished to bury their father before making
an attack, or because they hoped for the
opportunity of secret assassination, could
not be told--certainly they were wicked
and cowardly enough for anything.
One dark, rainy night, little before
twelve o'clock, Mr.. Belcher heard two
horses stop before his door, and immedi-
ately there followed some quick, loud
raps.
"Now for t~ he muttered, as he
sprung from his bed, took down his rife,
ard proceeded to rouse the two young
men sleeping in the adjoining room while
his wife and daughter, clinging to each
other, were ready to faint with terror.
"Who is there and what is wanting p
at length demanded Mr.. Belcher, when
all was ready-the knocking having con-
tinued at intervals and each successive
time growing louder.
"We are your sons, father-George
and Frederick !" replied a voice, which
all recognized.
Mary, the daughter, with scream of
delight, bounded to the door, for the pur-
pose of unfastening it and throwing her
self into the arms of her brothers; but
her father suddenly laid his hand upon
her, and said, in low, chilling tone:
"Beware, girl! beware! we must not
be deceived here y
He then Immediately added, addressing
the parties outside
allow am to know you are my sons 7"
"Why, father, don't you know my
voice ?" said the one who had spoken be-
fore, in tone of surprise.
"Perhaps do-perhaps I dou't ~ re-
turned Belcher "Let me hear Freder-
ick speak"
"Well, father, how do you do ? and
why do You use these precautions p I'm
mediately said another voice, that Ger
tainly sounded very much like the young
er sons.
"Oh, father, dear, please do open the
door, and let me have my dear broth
er's IL know they are George and
Frederick, and it is really cruel to keep
them out there in the rain, after their
long, fatiguing ride r'
Mr.. Belcher thought so too, and inn
mediately began to remove the heavy
oaken bar which lay across the door.
"You shall come in, boys, in moment" P"
he said. And then, as if a new thought
had struck him, be suddenly added "On-
ly one proof more, for which l will i'm
mediately give you a good reason. Just
tell me how old you both are, and both
Of you just name your birth days"
For few moments there was no reply,
and then the voice of the elder said:
"Faher, this is trifing with us after
our long absence, and long ride tonight !
We are hungry, wet aud weary, and
pray do open the door at once, or refuse
US altogether"
"Oh, do let them in, father !" pleaded
Mary.
There is no doubt about them being
our children, David said his wife.
"Then let them answer my question,
which is simple enough, and would not
have required half as many words as
have been used to get rid Of it," returned
Belcher, in a tone that indicated a stub
born determination to have his request
complied with. Boys be continued,
"a dreadful thing has happened since you
left, and all our lives are threatened,
which makes US very cautious whom we
admit after dark. All we want is, to be
certain you are George and Frederick,
which we can be, if you will just name
your ages. If you refuse after this, |
shall be quite as certain you are impos-
ters, and you will not get into this house
with my consent"
"Then we'll get into it without your
consent" responded different voice from
any before heard and Immediately there
was tremendous rush against the door,
as ifby three or four men.
The fastenings had not all been re-
moved, and the door was not forced in
another moment the bar was in its place,
holding it firmly.
We may state here, what was not
positively known to the parties inside till
afterwards, that the three brothers Mason,
with three other wicked spirits, had come
that night TO murder Belcher, degrade
his wife and daughter, run off his negroes,
and burn bis buildings in short, to effect
complete and irretrievable ruin. Two
of the six rode up to the door on horses,
in order to make it appear to the family
that they were their absent sons and
brothers, as such had been their manner
OF coming home the last time and the
youngest Mason, being great mimic,
was employed to initiate their voices,
which it was expected by the villains
would gain them immediate entrance, and
which would have done so only for the
singular precautions of the suspicious
father.
Finding themselves foiled in forcing
the door, the assailants resolved to set
the dwelling on fire, and for this purpose
soon collected large pile of shavings
and other combustibles from an out build
ing, piled them up beside the house, and
applied a match to them. Meantime
NJ. DoIoba- oon,0ra dip0 tbair 1aai1n