The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-03-06


constituted the only engagement exist
ing between them?"
'ics, a far stronger case, which
have learned by way of my wife, since
last conversed with you on the sub
ject. "
"Ah! What is it.' eagerly demand
ed the lover.
why as ! gathered it, the case wai
this, - answered the other. 1.-THE OLD
man. IN we'll as Peters, you know,
must always do things, if possible. at
ter the English custom: and both
thinking more of property than
women, they got up a regularly writ.
ten marriage contract, or settlement,
by which one bound himself to give
the other his daughter, with such and
such a dowry, and the other to marry
the daughter, and settle such and such
sums on her and her heirs. all to be
void in case the marriage fell through
by fault of the girl. But to provide
against this, they made another part
to the instrument for her to sign, in
which they made her solemnly promise
and covenant to marry Peters, and
none else : otherwise she was to for
felt her birthright in her fathers es-
tate. This they somehow or other at
last induced her to sign and seal, thus
binding herself hand and foot forever,
with but one single advantage, which,
1t seems. she had the wit to get
added to the contract before she
would sign it: and that was. that the
time Of fulfilling the contract, or day
of the marriage, was to be left to her. !"
What detestable conspiracy for a
father TO enter into against the right
full Liberty and happiness of daugh
ter :" exclaimed WOODBURY., after a
pause, during which surprise and in
dignation kept him silent. That.
then. explains the hints she has sew
eral tines thrown out to me respect
ing some peculiar trials and difficult
les TO which she was subjected But
was she of age when she signed that
paper"
No: but she probably. in her great
would long hesitate
to break the engagement on account of
that, or the fraudulent means they
doubtless used TO draw her into the
shameful affair. Nevertheless, /
won Id persevere. Her right to stave
off the fellow, with her known wish to
get rid of him, may yet procure her
an honorable release: or she may be
brought to take different view about
the binding nature of a promise oh
tanned under such circumstances or,
as last resort, that paper may he got
out of his possession by some scheme
or other. So ! think you will worst
him In the long run, in spite of his
present advantages of the fathers help
his own wealth, and
And his recent promotion inter
rupted Woodburn, (which is to be
the stepping stone to the dukedom of
Vermont, the reward for betraying his
and the glittering bait,
which, in anticipation, is already held
out to this besieged, but pravely resist
ing girl -
What do you mean, Woodburn!'
oiuntly said the other, in surprise.
II mean" replied the former, that
Peters has lately received IA colonel's
in the British service, and
Is even now secretly but actively en-
gagged, ! suspect, in trying to seduce
he people with British gold, and raise
roops among us to cooperate with |
3urgoyne.
You astonsh me- Why, the hypo
,ritical rascal has been giving out |
word about here that, as he had friends
md interests Oh both sides. he had |
concluded to remain neutral. Are you |
ure You have been correctly inform
d."
Quite sure. But while you may
onjecture the source of my informa
ion, remember that ii is to work no
injury to the family Of my informer. "
"Ay, | understand. now-'tis true,
hen; and you are correct to- in your
uspicions about his present move
lents. That will account for the eX-
stence of the hard dollars that have
o strangely made their appearance
bout here within few days. But
viii he be suffered to prosecute his
lans here among us? What better is
e than spy
Nothing.
He must he nabbed, then; and we
,ill let him and his dukes coronet in
crows nest, on the limb of some old
emlock. to which we will soon have
i'm dangling in the air, unless our
uthorities wish to give him more
espertable gallows. What say you to
hat Harry"
That you are not the first TO think
{ it that is, so far as to have him
aptured. He rode away from Havi-
lnd's in this direction, and at mod
rate pace, just as |. unperceIved by
i'm, reached there, about an hour ago,
n his way, doubtless, to one of the
Dry haunts in Manchester. My mare
as a feet foot, Risdon: so you now
nderstand why was in hurry to be
#, don't your"
81 do; but Heavens WOODBURY.,
on are not going to give chase alone"
''fes no horse but mine probably
Duld oyertake him before he reaches
is associates; besides, since it was
inted to me that he would seek my
fe | am willing to give him chance
, take it, where neither he nor l
nall have help or witness.
Are you armed?"
with dirk and pistols, as he only
l."
"A rather hazardous push, Harry.
But go, and God prosper you TO take
i'm, and with him that mischievous
And one thing more: if
Du live to reach Manchester, tell that
ouncil of Safety, that if they don't
D something soon, We, the people, will
4 up for ourselves in war making. |,
n one. don't believe l can keep my
ands off my rife three days longer.
"Ay, ay, said Woodburn, springing
Ito his saddle. And now, Lightfoot,
ere is loose rein for you. Go" he ,
lded, striking with his heels the
Ddy, and with his hands the name of
lie impatient animal, that, al these
ell-understood signs, gave an irregu