Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-09-15

fairy had ever seen, and am not alone
in SO believing. There were a few OF
the favored guests of "The Village Tav-
ern' who could occasionally see Lefty
Gordon but to the mass who came and
went like shadows, Lefty was herself a
shadow. They had heard of the land
lords beautiful daughter once in long
while some one more fortunate than the
rest would catch glimpse Of the little
maiden, but from whence she came, or
whittier she went, the glimpser could
never tell. They drank the health quiet
ly of the mysterious beauty of whom
they heard so much, of whom they knew
that she breathed the same atmosphere
as themselves, and yet to them was seal
ed book. This was the treasure that
John Gordon watched and guarded--she
who already heiress in her own right, was
to inherit all the acres that he had been
adding year by year from the overflow of
"The Village Tavern" Lefty was not
only the admiration of the gay groups
who came from the city, but she was the
ambition of every rustic beau, who look
ed with covetous eyes upon the fair face
and the broad acres of the landlords
daughter. They looked, but they looked
in vain for John Gordon had long re-
solved that whoever came wooing to bis
Lefty should be no common mau, bat
should outdouble her in wealth.
Lefty Gordon was not the only fair
attraction that brought the gallants to
The Village Tavern There was an
other bright face, another comely shape,
in the person of Martha Field. Martha
and Lefty were Of an age-both eighteen.
Martha was an orphan and had been TAX
en- when child by the late Mrs. Lefty
Gordon to "care for" Martha was the
right hand of "The Village Tavern y she
was here, there, and everywhere, as John
Gordon expressed it. If extra company
came and aid was wanted in the kitchen,
Martha was able and willing. Whether
Martha's 5 hand was wanted in the bed
rooms, in the parlors 10 wait on guests,
to attend in the bar, it was always the
same-she was there. Whatever she
did was we'll done. Many a smart
farmers son, who came as suitor TO the
mistress, made desperate effort to amend
the hopelessness of the case by falling in
love with the maid, only TO find out that
his fate with the same in either quarter.
Martha Field had always disposed of The
little beating heart that lay beneath her
trim well. fitting bodice. She had given
il subject to certain conditions, into the
keeping of David Bigelow, smart and
carpenter, who, by some spe~
cial art lurking under his tongue, had
managed to secure the little girl 10 him
self in the face of the most startling op'
position. Under I b e e circumstances
there can be no wonder that Martha
should be given TO reading romances, and
sympathizipg generally with lovers, par
Iiculary with those in distress. There
were some who said that when Martha
Field was married, John Gordon would
come down "warm" with a trife for the
couple to start with but those who knew
he landlord better declared that as long
as breath was in John Gordon's body he
would not part with pound Of all he had
so carefully boarded, and now SO strictly
watched. In proof of this they pointed
10 Lefty and Martha, upon whom be new
er lavished penny, putting off their
desires for snowy dress, SO inherent in
he sex, by telling them that their faces
would make their fortunes without rib
Dons and silk. .-..
This was John Gordon's household,
save only aunt Judy, who reigned su-
preme in the kitchen department. One
bright day in June, when the leaves fiut-
erred with more than ordinary gladness,
and the sun glanced over the waters OF
ihe river, lending its light to the clear
bottom till it showed the lazy
ish in their very homes, the Paterson
stage ratified through the village, and
dropped one passenger at The Village
Tavern" He was tall, dark complex
oned man, somewhere about thirty, with
. quite assured manner that told the
crowd of idlers who stood always ready
% stare at the stage passengers, if they
we're capable of receiving any impress
lions, that the newcomer was one not
EASILY stared down, and well accustomed
o all the attentions that could be thrust
lpon him.
He told John Gordon, who stood ready
. .s.e;vs I'm. that bis name was Philip
:, .-.--.,. -as TO spend a