National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-01-05

one, where they talked soft non
sense" till the wee small hours"
As he generally rode over to her
residence, Dan had taken the Cap
tain's hired man into his confidence,
and employed him on such occasions
to leave the barn doors unfastened
when he went there at nine o'clock
to make everything secure accord
ing to his masters orders, so he Dam
could obtain leave of his team there
at any hour Of the night
OF course he apparently submit
ted to the Captains stern mandate,
and always promptly baGc his be-
loved adieu and droveotf at precise
ly nine p. m, but only to return
again at a later hour to Dive his
horse, with the least noise possible
in the barn, where he generally left
him standing all harneSsed.
Being cogniZant of these facts,
and by stratagem learning the night
Dan intended to visit there next. he
arranged Il plot to Offset the punish
ment he had undergone in the pear
raid.
/ IS it happened the Captains ser.
Fant after duly reporting affairs at
/ the barn all right. upon that event
ttl night, sought the residence of an
! old acquaintance to enjoy n social,
/ prolonged chat. Dan at the same
time mad hidden the family good
night and after waiting till the old
! gentleman was abed and sound as
/ lcep had with customary caution
returned to recommence the atten-
tons. so unpieasantly broken up for
an hour or two on every such occa-
sion, by the Captains stringent
rule.
He had hardly entered the house
the second time ere Somcrby Che
victim Of the pear gathering scrape
stole into the farmers barn and
lighting a pocket lantern, hastily
began to detatch Dams horse from
the chaisc, which act being accom-
pliShed, he harnaSsed him in again
but with lead facing the ddsher :
Then by st.ndry changes in the
buckles and straps, he so disarrang-
ed the whole gear that an hour
spent dn dilligent toll by any one
would hardly rearrange it as be
fore,
lie then hid himself in a NOW of
hay to await the time Dan would
come for his team. \ little after
midnight he heard him etdmb.
ling through a side entrance, as the
night was quite dark-and could
hardly restrain a guiiaw, rs he
heard him fumhling viii, the horses
tail, no doubt entertaining the idea
that it was his name,
But Dan shortly expressed sen
tcnce of surprise, followed up as the
truth dawned upon him, by a long
string Of expressive oaths. in which
the listner perceived he had the
opinion that the hired man was the
author of the outrage.
At last, after opening all the barn
doors to get the outside light, and
, finding it useless to attempt getting
out of the dilemma without = lantern,
! he returned IA the house and made
known his troubles to the fair Ange
lima. who had been waiting III anXi.
Gus suspense for the sound of the
, carriage wheels bearing him safely
away, unaware Of the absence oI
the servaat; and suspecting hin
: guilty of the iOul deed, he mentally
-, resolved to punish him at some fu
+ turc day. and therefore concluded
, not to ask aid from him. but per
p mittcd his " intended" who kindly
: volunteered to visit the barn Will
him, and hold up one Of her father.
y lanterns, while he disentangled hi
beast from her lalrhablc predca
. mcnt.
As soon as Somcrby saw th'
f Captains daughter approaching
+ with her lover, he made good hi
escape, and running to the bacI
side of the housc-sought one of tn
bed room windows, where the ol'
!, man slept, below .stairs-and cncl
~ getically rapping thereon said
:. Ncighhor Merrill, awake, awake
W. There is some serious troubl
;. among your cattle, and you had bel
ir ter seek your barn as quickly a
~ possible"
- Having completed the details {
70 his plot, Somerby ran behind til
~ shelter of some huge rocks near q
20 hand, to witness the denouemen
,c He heard the Captain jump irol
~ his couch to the floor, and shortl
IN saw him emerge from the kitchc
ri only partially dressed, and rush e.
~ citcdly toward the barn.
,r OF course Dan and his " "a
20 80 were not n title, but wholly DUN
ro % founded, on beholding the hatlc'
~ &" figure head of the old salt--tl
Captain, with glaring cycballs pr
~ truding from their sockcts--direc
=, cd in silent rage at them.
mnr nj Helpless for excuse or apolog
Dan sank like a limp rag under h
no awful scrutiny. AS soon as Il
,g' thunders of his voice could fit
in vent, beautiful Angie was hustle
he from the gard and ordered to wa
mr.. for the house, and consider herself
,yt prisoner in her room for mont
never to be allowed to speak t0 6
,ot miserable wretch who had forfeit
ar % all hopes TO his regard or her han
In Dan was peremptorily packed
,r, as soon as the mixed up pieces
~ harness were in any way arrang