Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-09-29
5flisceIlanp.
An Incident of Life in the South.
BY WALLACE PUTNAM REED.

Cottonville is notable place.
There are not many houses in the vii
lage, and people are even scarcer than
the houses but then the society you
understand.
/ got off the train at Cottonville, one
afternoon, feeling assured that in this
quiet place my weeks vacation could
not be other than period of perfect
rest l knew nobody. | had no busi-
ness to look after. There was nothing
to do but lounge about, read and smoke.
A dream of delightful idleness filled my
mind as 1 followed the gigantic black
porter to the solitary hotel, within a
stones throw of the depot.
A pleasant room was assigned me, and,
after tolerable supper, sauntered out
upon the broad piazza. A group of
gentlemen were there before me, and
their interested manner and whispered
conversation led me to suppose that they
were discussing some matter of the
gravest importance. / had no desire to
disturb the deliberations of these village
statesmen, and was turning away, when
my landlord approached. and in a
strangely nervous manner introduced
me to the respective members of the
party. As this move made me acquaint-
ed with some of the titled nabobs of the
town, complacently settled down for a
few moments of what l hoped would
prove agreeable and perhaps profitable
conversation. Certainly, something
worth hearing might be expected from
the lips of such men as Judge Miggs
Squire Smith, General Boombs, Colonel
Jones and Major Bangs. For mo-
ment my new friends regarded me in
solemn silence. To put them at their
ease, l threw out brilliant remark
about the weather.
"Ahem " commenced Judge Miggs
Is this your first visit to Cottonville?
replied in the affirmative, and ex
pressed myself as being well pleased with
the glimpse l had had of the place
Relations here7" asked Judge
Miggs.
None at all" was my answer.
"Ah You have friends living here
them"
"No, SIR" | replied. 81 know no
body here, and only came to spend q
few idle days"
A dead silence fell upon the crowd
and instinctively felt that something
unpleasant was about to occur
Do you live in this state2" queried
the Judge.
81 don't think l look much like q
dead man" was my jocular but evasive
reply. A spirit of mischief had now
taken possession of me, and | was de
termined to battle the curiosity of these
impertinent village gossips. | rose from
nv chair and walked to the other end
of the piazza. A whispered confab en-.
sued between my inquisitors and enough
of it came to my ears to excite some
amusement and not little Indignation
The Judge and the General appeared
to be the most important personages in
the crowd, and could hear their loud
hoarse whispers very distinctly.
You didn't get much out of him
Judge"
"No. He's sly fellow, General. and
will bear watching. An honest citizen
would not have been so reticent."
"The dickensl / muttered to my.
SELF "Do these men take me for horse
theft"
"The best way to deal with such
chaps" said General Booms, is to hang
'em first and try 'em afterward."
This atrOcious sentiment seemed to
meet with general approval but it
made my blood curdle. To my relief
Judge Miggs dissented.
"The case looks bad" he said but
always give man a fair trial, gentle
men,"
That may do as a general rule, u
said old Booms but when these car
pet baggers sneak into our bosoms, and,
viper-like, incite the Niggers to rise up
and murder us in our beds, it is time to
act quickly"