Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-08-10
A Game Dinner.

Shortly after the war with Great
Britain, an aristocratic Englishman
built residence in the vicinity of
Fort George, on the Niagara frontier,
and in accordance with the old coun-
try ideas of exclusiveness, enclosed
his ground with a high, tight fence.
Here he lived like an old English
gentleman-one of the olden time
with the exception that none but the
elite Of the province and the officers
of the nelghboring garrison were per-
mitted to pass his gate. There was
a very good understanding between
the American officers at Fort Niagara
and British at Fort George, and the
men were permitted occasionally 10
visit back and forth. Among the
American soldiers was queer chap,
who suffered terribly, was very fond
Of hunting, and was always getting
into some sort of mischief.
One day this chap took the small
boat that lay moored at the foot of
the walls of the fort, and crossed over
to the Canadian shore for a hunt.
He wandered over several miles in
the rear of Fort George, without
meeting any game, and on his return
seeing crow on tree within the en-
closure of the aristocratic English
man, he scaled the high fence, fired
and brought down his game. The
Colonel, or whatever his title may
have beehive will call him Colonel,
anyhow-witnessed the transaction,
and advanced while our soldier was
reloading.
He was very angry, but seeing the
Yankee standing coolly with loaded
gun in his hand, he gulped down his
passion for a moment, and merely
asked him if he had killed the crow.
The soldier replied he had.
a am sorry" said the Colonel, "for
he was a pet. By the by, that is a
very pretty gun-will you be so kind
as to let me look at it ?"
The soldier complied with the re-
quest. The Englishman took the
gun, stepped back a few PAGES, took
deliberate aim and then broke forth
in trade of abuse concluding with
an order to stoop down and take a
bite of the crow, or he would blow
his brains out. The soldier ex-
planned, apologized and entreated.
1t was of no use. The Colonel kept
his finger on the trigger, and sternly
repeated his command.
There was shoot in the English
mans eye-there was no help for it
aud the suffering soldier stopped
and took a bite Of the crow, but
swallow it he could not. Up came
his breakfast-his dinner the day be-
fore-and really it seemed as if he
would throw up his toe-nails. The
Englishman gloated over the misery
of his victim, and smiled complacently
at every additional heave. When he
had got through vomiting and wiping
his eyes, the Colonel handed him his
gun, with the remark
"Now, you rascal, that will teach
you how to poach on a gentleman's
enclosure"
The Yankee soldier took his gun,
and the Colonel might have seen the
devil in his eye if he had looked close.
Stepping back, he took deliberate
, aim at the heart of his host, and Or
dered him instantly to finish the
crow. Angry expostulations, prayers
and entreaties were useless things.
There was shoot in the American eye
. then, as there had been in the English
eye before. There was no help at
hand, and he took bite of the crow.
, One bite was enough to send all the
good dinners he had lately eaten on
the same journey with the garrison
fare of the soldier, and while the
: Englishman was in an agony of sick
ness, Jonathan escaped to the Ameri-
can shore.
The next morning early the COM
, mandant of Fort Niagara was sitting
in his quarters, when Colonel =
: was announced. "Sir," said Colonel
-, "I come to demand the punish
ment of one of your men, who yester-
| day entered my premises and COM
mitted great outrage"
} awe have three hundred men here,
, and it would be difficult for me to
know who it is you mean," said the
American officer.
, The Englishman described him as
a long, dangling, suffering, stoop-
shouldered devil.
"Ah, l know whom you mean,"
said the officer; she's always getting
into mischief. Orderly, call Tom"
In a few moments Tom entered,
and stood all attention, as straight
E as his natural build would allow,
!, while not trace of emotion was visi-
BILE in his countenance.
''Tom," said the officer, "do you
know this gentleman ?"
"Ye-ye-ye-yes, sir"
Where did you ever see him be-
fore 2"
GILL" said Tom suffering terri
bly,, but retaining the grave express
sion natural to his face, II di-di-di-
dined with him yesterday"
We believe Tom was not punished.
i A new and singular phenomenon