Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-07-06


not place a man in that immediate
danger which he incurs by violating
the revenue laws of the government.
Now, I am going to be honest with
you: | am a revenue officer"
We we're eating supper at the time.
He put down cup of coffee. looked
at me for a moment and then said:
cit amt possible that you have
come spyin' round here to take me to
Jail, is it?"
81 shall not take you to Jail, Mr..
Plummer, but when / return to Little
Rock / shall be compelled to make
truthful report"
"Ef you want in my house I'd
hang you.''
He glared at me.
ssYou are a fine man. You come
up here, maxim me believe that you
air gentleman. Now you show
that you air wolf.''
ST am compelled to discharge my
duty"
''But man ken discharge his duty
without bein' a scoundrel 70
s:Look here Don't be so abusive
in your remarks"
The little old fellow laughed. 81
am in my own house," he said.
"And 1 am in house built of gov
ernment logs" said I.
"Lemme tell you something. l fit
for this here Union. l toated a flag
whar good many men was afeered
to go, and | don't want no man to
come around and say that my house
belongs to the government. So, when
you 60 back to town you air goin' to
tell them fellers that old Pete oughter
be put in jail, air you?''
81 shall offer no suggestions. /
shall only make report. The Off
cials, who are generally pretty we'll
informed, may take such action as
they choose
"Some people mout call you
brave," said he, but 1 call you fool. !"
"Why so?"
"Cause nobody but fool would
come up here like you have done.
"My dear sir, l could have been
dishonest with you and could have
gone home without telling you my
business.
The old fellow laughed again. ''Let
me tell you something. Us fellers
amt such fools as you think we air.
We've got man in Little Rock that
knows all about the revenue business.
Jest about the time you got ready to
start up here made my 'rangements
to meet you. 1t was our plan that
you should come to my house. Haw,
haw. Come in boysp' he called.
Several men, as rough as l have
ever seen, entered the room. Each
man carried a gun. I sprang to my
feet and drew my pistol. A power
full fellow grabbed my arm.
"Put up your pop, bub," said he,
taking my weapon. "Set down thar J!
forcing me on to bench.
s'He's very nice lookin' chap,
Jack said old Pete, addressing the
man who had taken my pistol.
"Yas, young rooster, sort O
spring chicken. Lige, did you bring
the rope?"
''Got her right here.
"Young feller,' said old Pete,
"what have you got to say fur your.
self?''
No use denying it, / was scared
| am not brave man. l had, with
reasonable courage, fought Indians
on the plains, but to be hung! l,
was awful.
"What have you got to say?" re.
peated old Pete.
"This is an outrage!" exclaimed
"Fellers," said Jack, she's gettin
little too active. Reckon we'd bet.
ter tie him.
They tied him. 1t was useless te
struggle.
"Set him up agin' the wall, Jack,
said old Pete. sNow, I'll get the jug
an we'll commence to enjoy our.
selves. We amt hung feller sence
we strung up that old chap what cum
pokin' roun' sometime ago. Coco
old feller, too.''
One of the men threw a rope ovel
beam. The awful cord dangled be.
fore me. With admiration we read
of men who have risked their lives tc
save the lives of others, but can any
of us admire the poor wretch who
slyly entrapped, is strangled to death
in the wilderness? gave to eacf
face an eager look, but on no counte
nance could | see light of pity.
"Gentlemen," said I, ''are yor
going to murder me?'
The house shook with an uproarous
laugh. The jug was passed from one
to another.
Probably you do not realize that
am representing the government Of
the United States. If you hang me
certain death awaits you all. Yot
cannot go so far, you cannot fine
place SO remote
s'That's all right" said Jack. ''W'
know all about jestice an the United
States. We've been in both sections
of the country, haw, haw !!
tGentlemen, l have done You M
HARM"