Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-05-25

that tne prisoner had not escaped, and
that 1t was device of the authorities
to conceal some foul play. When Pat
Moran had elbowed his way with
great difficulty almost to the prison
gates, he looked eagerly for the OBJ
jects of his search, some of Tins own
people, whom he discovered sitting
and standing together in an excited
group.
"Pat Moran, dye bleeve this ?" said
one of the men hoarsely, clutching
the farmers coat "D'ye believe that
Tim has got out of their cursed thrap ?"
"John Welsh, Tim did get out!"
whist Lord save usr
'Tisn't safe to say more. I'm
thrimblin' that some O. them fellows
wild the brass buttons will hear me-"
glancing towards the turnkey, dimly
visible behind the iron grating; "but
you, John Welsh, an you Mick Power,
come wud car tonight to the cross
roads beyant the ferry, at twelve O.
clock, an there'll be friend TO see
ye. Whist for your sowls s!'
The prison warders were not long
in discovering by what means the cap
tive had effected his escape, and from
the opening the search was carried
above, ground to the mouth of the sew
er where it emptied itself into the
river. A venturesome spirit even
crept up a few dozeu yards Of the
black passage but speedily returned,
vowing that nothing could live half an
hour in it. Nevertheless, they sought
for footmarks on the river bank; but
the friendly tide had been before them.
Still, on the supposition that he might
have lived to reach the river, and
swim across, party of prison offic-
ials and soldiers was ferried over
and marched in body to farmer Mo
rams house.
Kate was busy feeding chickens,
and her mother peeling potatoes, when
they both caught sight of the CLEAN of
scarlet and white cross belts, and
heard loud tones and footsteps.
Lord be good and mercifuI to us
eyermore, amin. Protect and save
US p muttered Peggy Moran, dropping
the potato she was peeling, and turn.
ing with a face of terror to her daugh
ter, who whispered without turning
her head.
Mother, darIin' don't purtend any,
thing, for all SakeS. Chucky, chucky
Chuck, chuck, chuck !! she went on
raising her voice gaily, as she scatter
ed the food.
Servant, sir, she said, wiping heI
hands and curtseying to a tall, stou
officer. who strobe up to the door
scattering the chickens by the clank
ing Of his spurs and sword.
Is this farmer Moran's, my good
girl? p
Yes, sir
are you his daughter !!
Yes, sir, and this is my mother
Where's your husband, Mrs. Mo
ran? ? said the officer. turning to The
poor woman, who was endeavoring tC
look calm.
AT the fair, sir-oh, sure, 'tisn'
got into any harm Pat has, sir?'
What harm should he get into
about this runaway prisoner yol
mean? !? said the officer, trying to star
tie her into some admission.
What man, sir 2 cried Kate. Law
mother, honey! That's what tina
boy was telling usr
What boy?' said the officer nov
off his guard.
"A boy, Sir-oh :! a ra al little chal
"a gosoon-run In here a while agC
an said the man that's to be hung
got out an run away-an' sure W
didn't bleeve himp said Kate, wit
such an air of self-posSession and in
nocent inquisltlveness that the office
was completely deceived. A boy hat
come in as SHE had said and told th,
wonderful story, so she spoke tn
truth in that part of her assertion.
well, Mrs. Moran said the off
Ger, you've 40 objection to have you
premises searched, [ suppose? 1t i
suspected that the prisoner is hi
somewhere about here
'Musha, what put that into yer
,, heads !? said Peggy Moran, angrily
, Faith it's somethin' else we'd b.
thinkin' of, an not meddlin' wud tn
law; but you're welcome to searcl
: away, sir, as long as ye like, on'y it
quare thing to have an honest man
house searched like a rogue'sp
i must do my duty said the off
Ger.
Sure the gintleman won't do u
any hurt mother, said Kate. pleas
don't let them thrample the potatoes
sirp she called out as the men turne
into the little garden.
Pat Moran's words were almos
fulfilled, that the pursuers would roo
up the ground in search of the fug
tive. Not a bush or a hollow abou
the ground, not loft or Granny i
the house or out. building but wa
thoroughly investigated. At las
: with sickening feeling of appreher
sion Kate saw the band dispers
: themselves over the fields, and thre
9 soldiers run across the plowed fel
9 to question the man who was plougl
ing.
Welsh's blood ran cold as he sa1
t them coming; but recollecting tha
they did not know his face, he glan'
i ed over his shoulder, and shouted i
! a feigned voice to the horses.
e The soldiers were young and care
: less. They merely asked two o
e three questions in an irrelevant way
s staring up at the sky, and down
$ the clay, as if they expected to dil
e cover the prisoner transformed into
spirit of earth or air. Then they ra