Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-10-18
The Robbers Lamp.

ly FIVE miles, and you'll have better
quarters there than here, in this vile
shanty. The money will be safer,
too-let alone that the men won't 90
to work again, unless they're paid in
the morning
is the road safe? I don't like the
idea Of Juggling so much money. l
coulda't defend myself or run; but
fifteen hundred dollars in small bills
is big package to run with
Send your valise over in advance.
Whom by?'
My man.
is he trustworthy?
Honest as the day; and he need
not know there's any thing in it but
dirty linen. He can start now, and
you can wait till after supper, if you
will
And, so saying, the agent of the
railroad company stepped to the
door of the 8hanty and shouted for
Patrick, and, shortly, that individual
came-as bright, lively, honest look
ing a son of the Green Isle as ever
helped build a western railroad.
Patrick
Yes, your honor
Take this gentIeman's valise over
to the village. and leave it with the
superintendent. Tell him the owner
will be after it this evening.
An is that all, yer honor?
That's an-only be quick about
It, and you'll earn an extra dollar
I'm jist the boy for that, any how.
Sure, it's a small bit Of a yalise.'
And so saying. Patrick picked up
the object Of his contempt, and trudg-
ed away with an utter absence of Gu
riosity a. to the nature of what he
was carrying.
The temporary station at which
the construction train had landed
the conractor-was at the end OF
the Air Line railroad; and as the
laborers thereon had not been paid
over promptly, they had now for
several days been Oh a strike, aban-
doniug the work, and cougregating
idly at a hamlet a few miles distant
thereby compelling their delinquent
employers to come to terms. Mr.
Perkins had bro't good share OF
the "terms" with him, for immediate
distribution; and after a plail but
hearty supper with the agent, he was
p about to start on his tramp, when il
was discovered that a good sized
western thunder storm was just about
to burst, and the walk was postpon
cd until the sky should clear. In a
few minutes more the rain was com
ing down in torrents, and it kept "
t for an hour or so, at the end OF whict
time the contractor padded away
over the muddy road, congratulatinl
y himself that the vaIise in Patrick.
} care was water proof.
Hes had a rougher time than
= will, anyhow; and now, if | amt rob
bed and murdered before I get there
p l shall do we'll enough, in spite of tn,
p, mud And so muttering to himself
J. the worthy gentleman spla8hed for
n ward.
. Our present business, however, j
i not with his employer, but with Pat
4 rick himself.
# The parting injunction to max
j., haste had not seemed to make a yer,
Y deep impression on the careless sol
= Of Erin; and be trudged easily along
n with an occasional shrewd glance a
the somewhat threatening sky, grow.
# ing to himself
n Faith, an I'll be there before b
= will, an 1T don't rain, an mebby
4 viii Il it does Och, but it's a wax
~ one to be givin' a dollar for the carry
# in the loike o this
- A little more than half way acros
% the open prairie, between the railwa
~ terminus and the village was tolel
% able dense grove, and it was atte
= sunset when Patrick plunged uudl
9 its shadows. Nor had be gone ia
,r before, as the gloom rapidly deepeneC
20 the prcmouitory flashes of lightnin
20 and the deep smotherod roar OF th
- thunder uave token "lat the st0rl
,e was upon lin.
#. Now, an cuI I owuIy git to IL
~ ovid log house, it I'D kape me dir
n Hoviy Moses, what big flash va
4 that.
a And so saying, Patrick broke int
yb a very respectable trot, which quic
d ly brought him out into little wee
growing clearing. In the centre
Mt this, there was small log house, IL
il deserted homestead of some disco
if tented squatter who had moved IA
90 ther westward. 1t consisted of b
of two rooms, front and back, and q
vestiges of doors or window shuttle
had long since disappeared; but
ga, promised some sort Of imperfect she
Sc ter from rain.
'th Patrick was but just in time har
les ly had he stumbled over the grea
es. threshold before the big drops beg;
mt to spatter, and these were quick
De- followed by such penetrating torren
is as compelled him to select his stan
.es ing place under as good "a corner
10 the leaky roof as he could find.
On Bless me sowl, but this is W
or rain. anyhow. Id not like to
ed found with another mans portman
vs.. about me clothes. Whisht, now, P;
rts rick, me jewel-what's that?'
ers And as he spoke, Patrick on
TIL more advanced toward the doorws
ps- 1t was now all but pitch dark, a
Ter he could hear the half muffled voic
ed of men, whose profane utteraDce see
the ed to try and direct one another
at wards the shelter.
ND Here it is, Bob. I wonder if ther
lde anybody In it.
NO. Not tonight, there won't be.
nd. right in, we're COMM
gh- Patrick was no fool and he
is heard something in the tones ratl
ion than in the words-though tht
uld were mingled with horrid profanity
'ro- which conveyed to his mind the
she preston that the new comers W,
lids men with whom he did not care
J to scrape an acquaintance; neither
tod ! he like to OO ont into thn Storm O