The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1895-12-20

made to him. Has this been done?''
"No, y replied he, with a gathering
frown: having understood the fellow
was assert 'ng with the rebels in their
reasonable plots, ! did not feel myself
bound to seek him in such company
Is that all you wish of me?"
:" 1t is not sir, she answered
seriously, and with the air of one de
termined rot to be repulsed. 81 have
accidentally become apprised that Mr.
Woodburn, in the affray of to. night
has been Dangerously wounded, and in
this condition, thrust into prison
And. as we have now an opportunity
of testifing our sense of his services, il
is my earnest request that you procure
his release from prison, for which your
influence here, | know, is sufficient
that he may be brought out To. night
and properly attended"
"lnsane grill" muttered the father.
angrily, what can have put that alb
surd project into your head? Had you
been abed hours ago, as you ought,
instead of being up and prying into
the doings of our authorities, with
which a woman has no concern,
should have been spared this exhibit
ton of folly. Why, the wretched
fellow is but receiving the just deserts
of his crimes. He is in prison for
high treason; and had | the will,
which l | ave not, could not procure
his release.
81 cannot believe these opposcrs OF
the court will be held to answer for
such a crime. Indeed. it has occurred
to me that the authorities themselves
may be called to account for firing up
on these unarmed men: and therefore
| still hope you will use your exertions
for Woodburn's release urged the
fair pleader.
"You are to be the judge what is
treason. then. hev? And YOU are ready
to side with these daring and desperate
fellows, and condemn our authorities.
are you: What assurance. You will
hardly persuade me to favor your mad
projects, Think harshly retorted
the bigoted old gentleman.
"lou can, at least, go to the prison
and return him the acknowledgements
which our character and credit re-
quire of us, ~ still persisted the former.
"Well, ! shall do no such thing, -
replied the other, with angry impa
thence for ! consider the fellow S
conduct to night has wholly absolved
me from my obligations to him, if |
was ever under any, he added. rising
to depart.
Il do not view it SO. father re-
turned the unmoved girl, in mild.
expostulating tone, and | am sorry
for your decision: for. if those whose
place it more properly is 10 do this.
refuse to perform it, | know not why |
should not myself undertake the
duty.
You
Yes, father. -
What, tonight
Certainly; another day may be too
late.
Madness and folly! Why, who is
to attend you, silly girl:
If no gentleman is to be found
with courtesy enough to attend me, |
shall not hesitate to go alone, sir.
I'VE will see if you do! exclaimed
the old gentleman. looking back from
the entrance at the other, with an ex-
preston of scornful defiance 80 we
will see if you do, madam" he repeat
ed, closing the door after him, turn.
ing the key on his daughter, whom he
| thus left Il prisoner in her own room.
As Miss Havland listened to the
springirg bolt and her fathers depart
! ing steps, a slight flush overspread her
| face at the thought of the indignity
/ thus put upon her. and she rose. and.
after putting her hand to the door to
assure herself that she was not mis-
| taken, proceeded. with calm. deter
mined air, to a table on one side of
the room. on which stood the materials
for writing; and here, taking pen and
paper, she seated herself. and ad-
dressed brief note to WOODBURY..
delicately expressing her sense of OBJ
legation To him. and concluding with
the hope that she might soon have it
in her power to do something towards
alleviating his present situation.
having signed, sealed, and superscribed
the billet she rose and stood some time
hesitating and irresolute.
BY what means could this note. now
il was written, be made to reach its
destination? Should she again sum.
mon the chamber maid. she presumed
her father had so managed that the
call would not be answered; besides.
she felt repugnance 10 the thought
of Iesorting to such means. What
other method could then be devised?
While thus casting about her for
some expedient for etfecting her pur.
pose, she thought she heard some one
placing ladder against the side of
the house, beneath window, opening
from the rear end of the passage adj
joining her room and, after listening
a moment, she distinctly heard the
person cautiously ascending. Not be.
ing of timid cast, she quickly re-
moved the thick, heavy curtains of the
window in her room next and very near
the one under which the unknown in
truder was mounting the ladder, and,
throwing up the sash, peered out ;
when, to her surprise, she heheld, and
at once recognized, the queer looking
figure of Barty Burt. standing on the
top round of the ladder, scratching his
head, and giving other tokens of EN-
barrassment at being thus unexpected
" caught in this situation.
Master Bart" said Miss Haviland,
who had become somewhat acquainted
with the other, while supplying her
room with fuel, previous to his elec-
ton from the house, to which she was
knowing, your appearance, al this
time. to say the least of it, causes me
much surprise" Il returns the com
pliment, miss replied Bart; so
that makes us even, and no questions
on either side, don't it?'
perhaps not, SIR returned the
former, with seriousness; lat all
events, you should be able to give
good reason for your appearance here,
under such circumstances please ex
plain your object
And if | don't you'll sing out for
the squire, YOU said? Well. | can get