Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-10-12
An Ex-Pirate.

ing glade, lies a small, cosy town, eel
ebrated for its lovely, land-locked, and
tranquil harbor, its pure, invigorating
air, and almost perfect seclusion from
the outside world. Two miles east
from this rustic burg is a neat, well
kept hotel, located On the western
declivity of bold promontory against
which the angry Atlantic dashes its
brine and spends its mighty fury. This
hotel is the favorite summer resort of
some who are esteemed our wisest and
best men. Although unknown to the
butterflies of fashion, its hospitable
doors open regularly every season to
receive the leading ornaments of our
pulpits; the nations sages; men of
literary culture and refinement; art
lists of fame, and women who honor
their sex by the exercise of manifold
virtues. Riding through the stately
wood, hunting amid its leafy coverts,
fishing from the granite wharf or
graceful cutter; or engaged in some
of the many pleasant entertainments
always to be found, time passed de-
lightfully and all too swiftly at that
little nook, sheltered by the iron
bound front Of Massachusetts.
had just returned from the Mexi-
can war, debilitated, worn down, and
almost shattered by that harassing
campaign to which SO many fell victims
long after hostilites mad ceased. Being
almost stranger in Boston, and feel
ing the necessity Of recuperating my
weakened forces, | determined to
pass the summer of lS4S at some re-
tired and quiet watering place, where
| might be free from the conventional
restraints and requirements of what
Is called " society" Ballston, Sara.
toga, the White Sulphur Springs, New
port, Nahant, and a score of other
| places, suggested themselves, but were
rejected in turn. While pondering on
the subject, | accidentally met two ex-
officers, ,whOsenames are historical, and
was delighted to learn that they enter
tanned the same desire to rusticate
for two or three months. In less than
an hour our determination was made
upon the recommendation of one who
had before passed a season at the ho-
tel already described. The next day,
a: 10 a. NJ, we occupied seats in an
old-fa8hioned, jolting equipage, not
much easier than an army wagon, but
decidedly faster, and by 4 p. m., we
were Hospitality received by old Nor
wood, the landlord. Being rather
early comers, the best rooms were Sc
cured, and we found ourselves en-
sconced in the loveliest spot of Cape
Ann. As it was a strictly temperance
establishment, we obtained vinous re.
freshments from the neighboring town,
and then cast about to see how we
might improve our comforts, especially
as the regular annual visitors began
to arrive in considerable squads.
Foremost among our devices was the
erection of large and commodious
brush house, or bower, to shield US
from the sultry sun, while it afforded
free passage on all sides for the
balmy air, at that time filled with per-
fume from myriads of wild flowers.
Close by-about three hundred yards
was the residence of a remarkable
man named Knowlton. He was about
five feet nine inches high, straight as an
arrow, with the vigorous, elastic gait
of youth. His eyes were clear, gilt
tering gray; his nose thin, prominent
and curved; his mouth was large,
with thin lips, and garnished with
strong but well ground teeth his chin
was square, firm and rather massive,
in comparison with other features
bis forehead was of ordinary height
and breadth, but his brows were thick,
shaggy, and oyerhanging, making bis
eyes appear, especially when under
any excitement, like live Goals in a
dark chamber. A thick, wiry, but sill.
ver-hued growth of hair covered his
well-set head, and there was an air oil
such absolute indifference of other
peoples opinions in his manner, that
it would have seemed to border on
recklessness had he been young man
A stranger would have placed his age
at fifty.fivc or sixty years, but there
was nothing in his dcmeanor or ap
pearance TO warrant snch a verdict
except the innumerable wrinkles or
his face and forehead, and the blanch
ed whiteness Of his hair. KnowltoI
was well-to-do farmer. unmarried
and would no more suffer woman tt
reside in his house than to contract
mortal disease. When questioned OF
the subject, he replied that he had NJ
more objection to women than the,
had toward each other; but his expe
rieEce went to show that perfect dis
cipline could not be maintained wher
woman had control of the house.
at amt in natur," said the oil
man, for one woman to live in
house with FIVE men, unless she XII
, get another woman to keep her CON
pany, and when that ere comes, good
bye to all discipline. No, gentlemen
| don't want none of them round m
cabin"
t IL order to build our bower it wa
| necessary to hire Knowlton, with hi
men and teams, which was done, nel
: con-, for the trivial sum of ten dollar
e the work to be finished in one da,
a according to specifications read
drawn, ,and upon a superb grassy spo
about forty yards from the hotel. Th
n bower was to be ready for occupatio
d in forty-eight hours, and to be ftte
n with ten rustic seats and center-tabl
we'll covered with leafy branches, ove
d which was to be thrown a large bl
J well-worn sail, to prevent the su
l. from drying up the verdure too 500
a and assist in warding off the heat G
:. his rays. On the morning of the Sc
l. ond day we were surprised to see OF
o long-coyeted bower in full glory, a
e mirably appointed, and filling all sti
ulations, on the plat designated. E
e, cry one rushed thither impetuous
t and was delighted to find two exqui
!, itely wrought glass hammocks, hur
k in true nautical style, and temptiI
one to enjoy the repose of an afte