The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-03-09

portion of it behind you, SO Jest fork
over, Mister if you please, and save
trouble" Adding that in the absence
OF the squire, who was away at
shooting match, he felt called upon TO
see that the municipal interests sui
fered no detrimcnt.
Banvard saw he had an ugly custom
er to deal with, and knew the charac-
ter of the population sufficiently well
to be aware that the easiest course
was the best. IL was evident that %
word from this self-constituted collec-
tor Of the public dues would be enough
to raise the town, and what would be
raised next was scarcely matter OF
speculation. TO "doraick the boat,
and smash to "faders' the "neaQd-
gerg,7 would have been among the
most conservative Of the measures
suggested
"What is the cost of your license ?"
inquired the exhiB1lor
81 don't know, adzactly, but its
somewhsr in the neighborhood of ten
dollars S'posin' we call it ten?
Ten dollars my dear sir, l have
not taken in over eight"
Cant help 0lat SO dough over the
ten, or il call out the pooota1 come-at-
its agin this boat and distress the con-
sarn, accordin' to law
"But some other laN abiding citizen
may demand another ten dollars on
a similar plea.
I'll take the responsibility on be-
half Of my feller citizens, and as I'm
about the only responsible man in the
place, among gentlemen ing word
ought to be sufficient.
"Weil, sir, since you assume The re-
spoMsibility, be good enough to sit
down and look ut the paintings, and
when the exhibition is over L VIII set
tie your claim; my business calls me
at present
M. Consequence yielded magis-
terially gracious assent, and walked
with stately step into tho room
where the 'picter show" was going ON.
Mr.. Barnard, in the meantime, saw
one OF his hands, and gave orders to
have I'll the lines Oh board except the
"bow line, and to have everything
ready tor starting at moments warn
ing.
AS soon as the exhibition was over
the people began TO leave; but the
wary collector remained to demand
his money.
Certainly" said the proprietor;
'iust step into the cabin with me, and
you shall have it.
And back they walked, while one Of
the attendants was putting out the
hghts IN the exhibition room. Just
as they reached the cabin, Mr. Ban
ward, by accident, Of course, eAtin-
guishod the only Remaining lamp, and
both were in utter darkness. Mean
whiio, all the spectators had lett the
boat, and she swung round, held by
the single line at the bow, while the
current was rushing swiftly past. 1t
was the intention OF Banvard-and to
that end he had given instructions
that the line should be cast loose as
soon as the last spectator had reached
the shore. But the last spectator
saved this trouble; Tor, seeing the sit
uation Of the boat, and Ignorant that
the Squares deputy was still on board,
he thought it too good joke To be
lost to cut the line and send the show
man adrift--a feat which he speedily
and dexterously accomplished with
his bowie knife and then ran OIL The
hands Immediately drew III what re-
manned of the rope, and poled out
noiselessly into the stream; and IN
less than a minute the vessel was
borne away on the broad bosom of the
Mississippi at the rate of six miles an
hour
"Come make haste said Conse-
quence, after Mr.. B. had succeeded in
striking light; I'm in an ALFRED
hurry"
Certainly, sir, as soon rs find
the key of my trunk. As l have told
you, my receipts tonight were only
eight dollars, and l must get the bal
ance from my trunk. Can you
change a twenty dollar bill?"
"Well I iist can, boss. I've got to
90 to court tomorrow, and I've jest
ten dollers i'll my pocket to pay my
+ expenses; so fotch along your bill
Yes, sir, as soon rs | can find the
key OF my trunk.
Hang it all !" exclaimed Conse-
, quence, who began to grow impatient,
, ii not suspicious, at the delay; "are
YOU going to keep me here all night ?
Didn't l tell you l was in hurry
"Aly dear sir, am doing my ut
most to expedite your departure.
Where can l have put that keyY'
Blast the key! Give me the eight
, dollars and let the balance go; we
won't quarrel about trihes. Do you
hear p
"Yes, | hear" said Banyard, reach
ing over the head Of his berth and TAX
ing down a loaded revolver,
At the sight OF the pistol the fellow
retreated to the door, shouted at the
top OF his voice:
{ Hello boys? come ahead Come
ahead, / say
3 ''You'li have to call little louder
than that to be head in town,
rosounded one Of the boatmen; "for by
,,,.- r.a4trgr-,... "a milo onl a