Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-11-23

at isn't, 1 tell you," cried Jones.
There, man, listen"
"Oh-h-hr' came now, and strange |
rustling noise as of some one strug-
Cling.
"I'm blest if there ain'tr exclaim-
ed the constable.
"Here-this way; l know" I said
and leading the way, we soon stood |
in the back kitchen, where. by the
help of the policeman's bulls eye,
could just make out a pair of boot
soles up the chimney, and something
glistening, which | made out to be
spurs.
We shouted up the chimney; but
no answer came, and there was only
an occasional kicking of the boots
feeble kicking, as if their occupier
was in sore strait.
Lets get up stairs again" said the
policeman. "He's stuck tight, that's
what he is" and obedient to the
voice of law, we followed to the back
room, where, after tapping at the wall
two or three times, and eliciting a
faint groan that sounded like "Help! p
the constable started off-rather leis-
urely, | thought-but soon returned
with crowbar and hammer-armed
bricklayer, and another policeman.
There was no stopping to tear up
our Brussels carpet for, attacking the
wall, bricks, mortar, plaster and torn
paper soon formed dusty heap; and
after guiding himself by listening once
or twice, in an incredibly short space
Of time there was hole made through
the chimney communicating with the
back kitchen, and through that hole
came faint sigh.
"Come, hold up, old chap, whoever
you are" said one of the policemen;
and then to me, SCOT a drop of bran
dy, sir ?"
| soon fetched the spirit, and then
in the sight Of the Mortified women,
the hole was sufficiently enlarged to
lay bare a ghastly, soot,blackened
face, with protruding eyeballs and
grinning teeth; but as the air seem
ed to reach the mans lungs more
purely, there was a change took place,
aided by some brandy administered
in spoon by one OF the policemen.
1t was all plain enough now, aud l
was not much surprised, when, the
hole being sufficiently enlarged, a tall
stout life-guardsman was dragged out.
but only to fall upon the rubbish heap,
completely exhausted.
Found on the premises for feloni-
Gus purposes" said one policeman.
Course you'll press the charge, sir p
But | did not answer, being too
much taken up with the poor fellow
before me, whom it was evident few
more minutes would have stihed.
/ "Couldn't you get down again ?" |
asked him, as soon as he could speak.
/ "No; not an inch, sir; nor yet up;
! jammed in he gaspcd; land eat
from next chimney, too, seemed to
stop my breath"
How did you get there, eh?" que
ried one policeman.
There; don't bother him." [ said.
Il know; and he's half dead now.
Here, have some more brandy"
"Thanky, sir" he gasped feebIy,
and swallowed a little, but only with
great difficulty; and it was pititul to
see the complete prostration Of the
great fellow; his gay scarlet jacket
reduced to blackened, torn dilapid-
alton; and his trim whiskers and
moustache all limp and mortar-flled
"Why didn't you knock or call for
help sooner ?" l said, as knelt down
by him.
Il couldn't, MASTER he whispered.
a hadn't the heart, for the poor lass's
sake; and | wouldn't have groaned
when | did if l could have kept 'em
back"
| always was weak; but if the true
man did not stand out there, thought,
I'm no judge: suffice it, those few
earnest words had quite won me to
his side, and had mapped out my
course.
You'll press the charge ?" said
one Of the policemen again.
no" | said firmly. "The poor
fellow had no felonious intent, and
he has been punished enough without
what will follow for breaking barrack
law"
"Absurd?' exclaimed Mrs. Scribe's
mamma shrilly. "I desire, George,
that you haze him taken off to prison
directly, or we shall all be murdered
in our beds"
The sooner you are in yours, mad
am, l think, the better" l said polite
ly; for your costume"-
She staid to hear no more, for her
dressing-gown and night-cap, hitherto
forgotten in the excitement, disap-
peared like magic, followed by a
banging door. l satisfied, then, the
grinning policemen and the bricklay-
er; and, moved by egregeious folly,
as Mrs. Scribe's mamma afterwards
told me, allowed the wretched man
to pass the night in an easy-chair, see
ing him off myself almost as soon as
it was light.
Betsy left US at the end of a week
and | must own to always supporting
Mrs. Scribe in her determination to
have no followers from the neighbor
ing barracks. Whether our maid
married the man of her choice, know
not; but this | do know, that great
piece of my little library Brussels was
totally spoiled; and if we wanted a
reminder when loud talking or sound;
from the next house had ceased tt
startle US in the late hours, when sit
ting together-if, | say: we wanted ;
reminder, there it was in faded paper
over the new wall which marked thu
:, hole from which we were favored will
y the advent Of Betsy's Beau.
P. S.-Probably owing to th'
shock to her nerves, Mrs. Scribe
. mamma returned to Hastings the mex
, day, and did not visit us again for 81:
= months.
/. MARK TWAIN'S OID MAN.-Mar