The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1895-11-08
the GREAT VERMONT STORY !
The RANGERS
OR,
THE TORY'S DAUGHTER.
BY JUDGE d. p. THOMPSON.
CHAPTER I-(Continued. J

CHAPTER I-(Continued.
Both young ladies now threw inten
and curious chances forward on thu
man thus pointed out to them, til
they caught, as they did the mex
moment, full and fair view of hit
personal appearance; when they turned
and looked at each other with express
sions of surprise, which plainly indi
Gated that the object of their thoughts
was quite different person from
what they had been led to expect.
Ellis dress, to be sure, is rather
coarse, Conserved Miss Haviland to hel
companion, in |; low tone; "but he il
no boor; nor can every one boast OF
---'' Here she threw furtive
glance at Peters, when she appeared to
read something in his countenance
which caused her to suspend the in
voluntary comparison which was evil
IDENTIFY passing in her mind, and to
keep her eye fixed on his motions.
The arrogant parsonage last named,
wholly unconscious of this scrutiny,
now began to incite his horses afresh,
frequently applying the lash with un-
wonted severity, and then suddenly
curbing them till the spirited animals
became so frantic that they scarcely
could be restrained from dashing off at
run. The young farmer, in the
mean while, finding himself closely
pressed by those behind him, without
any apparent disposition on their part
to turn out and pass by him, now
veered partly out Of the road, to give
the others, with the same change in
their course to the opposite side, an
opportunity, if they chose, of going
by, as might easily have been done
with safety to all concerned.
"Mr. Petersn' suddenly exclaimed
Miss Haviland, in tone of energetic
remonstrance, at the same time catch
ing at his arm, as if to restrain him
from some intended movement, which
her watchful eye had detected.
This appeal, however, which was
rather acted than spoken, was unheed-
ed, or came too late; for, at that in
slant, the chatting and maddened horses
dashed furiously forward, directly over
the exposed corner of the young mans
vehicle, which, under the iron bound
feet of the fiercely treading animals,
and the heavy sleigh runners that
followed, came down with crash to the
ground, leaving him barely time to
clear himself from the wreck, by leap
ing forward into the snow. Startled
by the noise behind him, the fright
ened pony made sudden but vain
effort to spring forward with the still
connected remains of the jumper,
which were, at the instant confined
down by the passing runners of the
large sleigh; when snorting and wild
with desperation, he reared himself
upright on his hinder legs, and fell
over backwards, striking, with nearly
the whole weight of his body, upon
his doubled neck, which all saw at
glance was broken by the fall
With eyes flashing with indignation,
young Woodburn bounded forward to
the head of the aggressing team, bold
ly seized the nearest horse by his nos.
his-desperate rearing and plunging,
under the rapidly applied whip Of the
enraged driver, soon succeeded. by
daring and powerful efforts, in bring
ing him and his mate to stand.
"Let go there, fellow, on your
peril! !" shouted Peters, choking with
rage at his defeat in attempting to
ride over and escape his bold antag-
onist.
mot till l know what all this
means, sir!' retorted Woodburn, with
unflinching spirit.
"Detain us if you dare, you young
ruffian - exclaimed the sheriff, pro-
truding his harsh visage from one side
of the sleigh. ''Begone! or / will
arrest you in the kings name, sir"
"You will show your warrant for 1T
first Mr.. Sheriff. replied the former,
turning to Patterson with cool disdain.
Il have nothing to do with you, sir;
but | hold this horse till the outrage l
have Just received is atoned for, or at
least explained. "
my good friend" interposed Jones,
| in a respectful manner, 'you must not
suppose we have designedly caused
your disaster. Our horses, which are
high melted, as you see, took a
sudden start, and the mischief was
done before they could be turned or
checked. :"
Now, let go that horse, will you,
seoundrel?" again exclaimed Peters,
still chatting with anger, but evident
ly disturbed and uneasy under the
cold, searching looks of the other.
Hear me first, John Peters!' re-
piled WOODBURY., with the same deter
mined manner as before 81 care not
for your abusive epithets, and have
only to say of them, that they are
worthy of the source from which they
proceed. But you have knowingly
and wickedly defrauded me OF my
farm; unless | obtain redress, as l
little expect, from court which seems
70 easily to see merits in rich mans
ialm. Yes, you have defrauded me,
ir, out of my hard earned farm; anc
here,' he continued, pointing to his
(asping horse, - there lies nearly half
all my remaining property-dead
and gone! ay, and by your act, which,
from signs l had previously noticed,
ana from the tones of that young
iady's exclamation at the instant, land
Iod bless her for heart which could
DC Kind in such company l shall al
ways believe was wilfully committed.
ana II can make good my suspicious
anu court OF law will not give me
Justice, l will have it elsewhere
mere, sir, CO." he added, relinquish-
.ng MS hold on the horse, and stepping
aside, go! but remember 1 claim a
'u nv reckoning at your hands!"
n me sleigh now passed On to the yard OF
a sle Inn, where the company alight-
n.y. a, and soon disappeared within its
st", leaving the young man standing
%; Hhe ID the road, gazing after them
Nun mat moody and disquieted kind
.ouhtenance which usually settles
~ .ne lace on the subsistence of a
u eeng gust of passion.
.,, roor pony!' he at length muttered,
aw. s, as rousing himself, he now turned