Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-01-15
VOL. 74.-377O. NO. IA.

there are plenty disengaged. Lord A
b would doubtless arrive that day with
MS suite. IL would be the salvation of the
Town Tor the season TO be able TO announce
such an arrival in the county papers. The
| presence OF my lord was a prognostic of n
WISH from the duke and the mighty duchess.
during the discussion, in which by this
elhe the whole town was engaged there
were some whose curiosity TO know the con-
| tents OF this important epistle was 80 great
| as TO betray them into the endeavor of fore.
stalling Lord A B. in reading all
that was come-at-able in his letter; but
the envelope was folded SO as TO battle the
most expert in the worthy art of round.
readings.
The stranger (who had remained an un-
noticed listener in the crowd, and had
quietly seen the letter pass from hand 10
hand through large circe,) now stepped
lnto their midst, and making a low bow,
remarked: '
Gentlemen, when you have amused
yourselves sufficiently with that letter |
Will thank you to hand it over to me, its
rightful owner"
10 you !" exclaimed the whole town and
corporation in single breath "this letter.
which is franked and sealed by the Duke
OF A, and addressed to Admiral Lord
A B-2"
=" am the gentleman" said the stranger,
making sarcastic obesance all around.
see that you do not think that the son of
duke can wear such coat, and carry his
own bundle on occasion. However. [ see
one within hail who can witness TO INV
identity. Here, you Jack Braceyard, have
you forgotten your old commander ?"
" Forgotten your honor No, no, my lord"
exclaimed Jack, springing into the midst of
the circle " knew your noble lordship the
moment seen you; but | remember your
honors humor too well TO spoil your sport
oey saluting, when you thought fit TO hoist
foreign coors.''
"Jack, you are an honest fellow. and
neres sovereign to drink my health for
we have weathered many hard gale to-
gether, and here's another for keeping nv
secret, old heart Of oak. Aud now, gentle
men," continued Lord A. b.. "if
you are not yet satisfied that the letter be-
longs to me, here are trust, sufficient
proofs As he spoke he produced from his
pocket-book a bundle Of letters, bearing the
same superscription.
The postmaster Immediately handed him
the letter, and began a string of elaborate
apologies, which his lordship did not stay TO
listen to, but walked back to the Golden
Lion, leaving the assembled population of
I mute with CONSERVATION.
That afternoon the whole corporation,
sensible too late of their error, waited in a
body on Lord A B to apologize for
their mistake, and to entreat him to honor
The town with his presence during the re-
mainder of the season.
lie was busily employed in tying up his
bundle when the deputation entered, and he
continued to adjust it all the time they were
speaking When they concluded, having
tightened the last knot, he replied as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen, | entered your town with
every intention of thinking well of its in.
habtants. But | came in a shabby coat.
carrying my own bundle, and took up nv
quarters at paltry alehouse, the only place
where you would give me admittance. Your
reception of me would have been yerv diff
terent had | arrived in my carriage. But.
gentlemen, | am an odd fellow, as you see,
and sometimes try whether | can obtain it
without these adventitious distinctions; and
the manner in which you have treated me
While appeared among you in the light of
a poor and iuoffensive stranger, has con-
vinced me of my error in looking for liberal
ity here. And ! must inform you that /
estimate your polite attention at the same
value that did Your contempt, and that l
would not spend another night in your town
if you would give it to me; and so good
morning"
As his lordship concluded, he attached
his red bundle to the end of his bludgeon,
aud shoudering it, with drol look at the
iiscomfited corporation, he trudged out of
the town with the same air of sturdy indie
pendence with which he trudged in
Beigrauia.