Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-05-24
Cast into a Corn Bin.

"If it hadn't been for England and
Chicago, I don't think my left sleeve
would be empty. There's a riddle
you can't guess. Perhaps you'll not
think much of my riddle when the
story s told; but you mustn't forget
that it cost me my arm, and you'd
place big price or your arm-yes
upon little bit of your little finger
any parents, a buxom, hale and
hearty couple, with a heartiness of
life and living that sweetened their
food with wholesome flavor, were
small farmers in England. They
were poor and had six children
Children are the teeth of poverty, and
bite hard. -......
"Even now | cannot decide wheth-
er | was right or wrong in going to
another country. At that time we
had lots Of stories of how poor peo-
pie thrived in America; how they had
a little ease and comfort and indepen-
dence in that country before they
died. .... .....
1t was all arranged among our
selves; and father, out of his little
savings, gave me money which | was
to return to him if | got along finely
in my new home. But did not in
tend to set out on this long and lone
some journey without taking with me,
as my wife, a little fair-haired lass !;
as modest and industrious a girl as
could be found in the country. This
lass was Bessie Tillott. One day |
spoke out my love.
Bessie dear, will you go to Amer
lea with me? Do you love me
enough for that p
"She put her arms around my neck
and looked up into my face with her
great hazel eyes.
Robert she said, Il will go with
thee anywhere, and be glad all the
time Then she kissed me.
90 But, Bessie, girl, I'm poor, you
know. And there s the great ocean
to be crossed. When that s betwixt
US and the old folks, we IL be among
strangers, and have much to suffer-
There's hard work to be done, and
the worst of all, there's loneliness and
home-sickness. Ell! Bess, can you
bear hunger in many way?
"'Try me! I'll 90 with thee, Bob
and help thee all | can, and be good
wife | knew she was as true as
steel.
One night going home from a visit
to Bess | met Tom Brinton. He was
waiting for me at the big elm just at
. the turn of the road. An idle fellow
given to beer-drinking and low com
panions, he had more money than any
one in his station in life. Where he
got his money was uncertain. Learn
ed in horses and jockying, he had q
knack of tickling the hides of owners
of nice nags in the neighborhood.-
= He was not a handsome fellow by any
means; but his smart ways made hin
a favorite with both sexes. The way
l came to know him was because W.
!. lived within a mile of each other, an(
met on the highway and at country
/ fairs and frolics. | had seen him TOT
d halfa-dOzen times at Tillott's hous
: during the previous year. Ihad nev
d er liked, only endured him, KNOWN!
. him as very masculine fellow, a gooC
wrestler, and no mean player with hi
fists; in fact, bully, as you call tina
kind of man in this country. FL
d was sitting on log by the road side
~ Good evening, Bob,' he said as
came opposite him. Going ava
soon, | hear ... ..
d ga fortnight hence | replied, nc
$. stopping in my walk. Seeing this h
5, jumped up from the log, and came a
ter me.
"'Stop, Bob, he commanded
Z Stop I've something to say to you
and | want to say it tonight, nov
f because I'm going away in the morr
. q ing
: 20 Well, what is it?" l said, stol
ping, I'm in hurry
"' Yes, yes And are you truly g
in ing to America 2 he asked once NOR
in in a musing sort of way, and lookin
IS, at me from toe to head. And-an
is -confound you! is Bess going wit
- you?
ayes
"EDo you know, Bob Campbell
that | loved that girl, that | love ht
n now I? and she said
- "'There, there, don't tell me yol
secrets I cried, with a wish in n
o heart to get peaceably away from tt
in fellow, who, it was plain to me hs
lss been drinking.
- az But aciU tell thee. Why n
m listen quietly until I've done. | love
her and told her so. And she refr
If ed me; but did not tell me that s
loved you. That | found out yeste
day. She threw me off for your bal
face and the few pounds you've begg
Or @ aH
!. "'Stopr l commanded, pushi
- him away from me. 'Ill hear
,,l. ,ps more of such vile stuff, and | walk
Co. off. But | had not gone three ste
. when l felt his arm clasped arou
T. my waist, holding my arms close
my side. 5aeH
Sta " You shall hear me, curse 20
he shouted, close to my ear. l hs
waited for you to tell you that l III
in you-hate you because you are go
mp to take away from me the only won
and on earth | can love. You need
try to get away. Be still, or '
> kill you. So long as l live you 81
u