The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-05-01

! ItduN DSeI IIldue III IlllS history. Inere
was some excitement in the neighbor-
/ hood, the residents of which. especially
/ those of the Weather classes, were al
/ most all of the tory stamp; for it was
/ understood-as the reader may have
/ gathered from some part of the preced-
! ing narrative-that a patriot force was
/ in the vicinity. This force. though it
was small, was formidable TO these err
ing people, for several reasons: they
knew that the rebels were daring in the
I highest degree, that they were much
! eXasperated against the rOyalists, and
that the party which was now in their
midst, was commanded by the bold and
willy officer, General Marion, a man
whose name was as terrific To the souls
of these tories as the name Of Coeur de
Lion was to the usurping Moslems.
The persons convened at the house of
Mr.. Richardson were engaged in ear
nest and anxious conversation the eff
fleets of the patriot rage had already
been experienced by some Oftheir neigh
bors; barns and dwellings had been
burned-not by the party under Gener-
al Marion, howevef-and some of the
tories obnoxious TO the champions of
liberty had been put TO death-a fate,
which, in numerous cases, they had
richly deserved
In that region, the tories who We're in
arms for the king, often committed such
atrocities on their own countrymen Is
east the. barbarities Ofthe English them
selves completely in the shade. OF
1 course these recreant Americans expect
/ ed TO be harshly treated in their turn,
should the patriots possess themselves
of the means of retaliation. Mr.. Rich
ardsOn, therefore, and his friend, Mr..
/.
were in a pitiable state of excitement,
not knowing what moment they might
be visited by the eXaSperated soldiers of
freedom.
Old Richardson himself had by luxu-
rious diet and easy and indolent habits
Of life, accumulated such mass of flesh
that he felt himself equally unprepared
for combat orescape Besides, his cor
pulent figure-to say nothing of his un-
Wieldiness-was 80 remarkable, that he
was known as the fat tory for fifty miles
round, except the figure of an elephant
or hippopotamus, would have answered
his purpOse-should he strive 10 evade
pursuit in that way.
For several months he had not ven
tured out Of his house, being apprehcn-
sive that some patriot bullet might find
its way into his body, which, indeed,
i
most inexperienced marksman could
have scarcely failed to hit. His neigh
Dor, Mr.. Carville-t though spare enough
in person for efficiency in battleor celri-
" in retreat; remembered, with com
junction of fear, if not with that Of re-
morse, that he had supplied the Brit
ish with provisions and rendered them
other essential services, which were
doubtless remembered To his di-advant-
age by his Wing cOuntrymen.
IT was arranged between Messrs.
Richardson an Carville that, until the
danger was over, Carvillea his daugh-
ter Letitia-the only surviving member
Of his family-together with their ser
want should take up their residence in
Richardson's house, the object being 10
concentrate their means OF defence
These two gentlemen had mutually
pledged themselves To stand by each
other in a case of extremity; and, as
Richardson could not easily transport
his massive carcass to the dwelling Of
Carville, Richardson's home was made
a ratification and the adherents Of both
these WORTHLESS were collected at that
place The windows were boarded up
on the outside and the doors were secur-
ed with every imaginable fastening
arms an ammunition We're provided,
and the garrison was victualled for
long siege. While these defensive prepa-
ratiOns were in progress, Richardson
dispatched his son rs We have already
seem to the headquarters of Colonel
Tarleton, 10 procure aid, and 10 notify
the British commander that a rebel
force was gathered in that neighbor-
/ hood.
1t was now time that young Richard
! d
anXiously expected at the fortified man
sion of his father His approach, at
last, was observed through the loop
holes which had been left for the pur-
pose of observation, and also to fire from
with muskcts when occasion required
and, soon after he entered the room
where the two families were then con-
vened.
"Wen, my SON." said Richardson,
''have you seen the colonel? VIII he
be here soon or what does he advise Us
to do?
II have not seen him, sir said Al
fred, in answer to these three ques-
tiOns.
Not seen him.' The old fellows
cOuntenance looked a. blank as it was
possible for such round, moonish face
to look. But, perceiving that Alfred
]
failure, he threw himself back III his
seat with grunt of dissatisfaction, and
waited for the disclosure.
Il have been taken prisoner by the
/ patriots under command Of General Ma
rion, and liberated on the ass france that
| would not attempt to convey intel
ligence TO the royal troops
patriots - General Marion 80
whewln exclaimed the ola tory, indig-
nantly. 'Why do you persist in calling
the rebels patriots? and why is the Ii
/ tie of general profaned on that skulking
ruf1ian, Marion? But, Alfred, | have
received a letter which will delight you,
| am sure; it encloses a lieutenant's
commission for you in his majesty's ser
vice. You can enter on your command
/ as soon rs you please, and now there is
a fine chance to display your courage in
/ defence of your friends
To the amazement of every one pres
ent, Alfred showed no signs of JOY at
this announcement. He stood silent a
/ few minutes. and then made his ans
wer.
II cannot accept this commission, sir,
/ because | have no wish TO be a sOldierin
! the royal army
Old Richardson made a convulsive at
/ tempt to start to his feet, but the pondO-
rosity of his fleshy tabernacle kept him
confined to a sitting posture, almost as
effectually as if he had been screwed to
| his chair.
"How, sir!v cried he. do l under
stand you to say that you have no wish
to enter the service of his gracious maj
esty, King George? ,"
"That is my meaning, sir" answered
Alfred.
"Can it be possible that you are
coward ?" roared old Richardson. "I'll
be sworn that you are no son ofmine.-
Get you gone from my presence imme-
diately."
az am not coward ~ he said, with
glowing cheek and flashing eye, "but |
have conscientious scruples which will
prevent me from fighting under the roy
al standard"
'Scruples, you paltroon! But, no
matter. | will 90 myself. / will serve
my royal master in my own person.
[ thought had son-but no matter
Give me my boots, Pompey. Off with
YOU, you craven-hearted varlet, and let
me see your face nomore. Pompey, my
boots ~
"What upon earth ?" cried Alfred's
mother whom the noise other husbands
explanations had attracted to the room.
| tsNhere do Won think of going MIR.