The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-05-08
THE REFoRMER: gRATTLEBoRo. VT. FRIDAY MAY g. 1896

exclaimed the lady in a tone of kindly
remonstrance. "He would dare do n.
such thing. But | would. in sucb ,
case; indeed would And, stay. le,
me see!' she continued, rising anG
opening the generals desk "Here ARE
several passes which he keeps for occa.
s'ons OF hurry all signed off and ready
except inserting the name of the bear
er. q what shall ] do? | am tempteo
TO write your name in one and trust 10
your honor and shrewdness to shield
me in case of your failure from expos.
ure and blame"
viii your hand writing be ac.
knowledged. MADAME"
%, yes, ! don't hesitate on that nc.
count; for | often fill up the generals
passes under his direction"
20. then, dear madam as | know
you would do by daughter do by
me-trust to my discretion, and hes
itate no longer. "
The good-hearted countess soon
yielded. and our heroine, with tears
OF gratitude, mutely imprinted a fare
well kiss on her cheek and departed
with the coveted pass in her pocket.
When Miss Haviland reached her
chamber, she seated herself by an omen
but partially curtained window where
unseen herself, she could easily note
what was passing in the street beloy.
to which her attention seemed some-
what anyiously directed. She had
been but few minutes at her post of
observation. before she was appraised,
by the hooting of boys. and the gibcs
and laughter of the idling soldiers.
with whom the street, at this hour was
commonly thronged, that some unusual
spectacle was approaching. And peer
ing forward through the folds of the
curtains, she beheld, amidst a slowly
advancing crowd, meanly- clad, sim
pie looking country youth wearing a
ragged broad brim. and mounted on
an unsightly, donkey like beast whose
long tail and name were stuck full of
briars. and whose hair living in every
direction, seemed besmeared with
mango and dirt: all combining to give
both horse and rider most ungainly
and poverty struck appearance. The
fellow was trying to peddle apples,
which he carried in an old pair of
panniers swung across his pony's
back. and which seemed to be bought
mostly by the boys, who with them
were pelting him and his Bringing 20.
ny, to the great mIrth of the bystand.
ers. While the crowd, and the object
of their attention, were thus engaged. |
at little distance an officer. who was
passing, paused near the house, and
calling couple of soldiers to his side, |
said to them, =
Keep your eyes on that fellow with |
notice anything suspicious in his |
movements, arrest HIM. 1t appears to |
me that | have seen him in almost too |
many places today"
An expression Of concern passed over
Sahrey's countenance, as she heard
these words, and she gave an invoun-
tary glance to the object thus pointed
out, who. az she thought from his ap-
pearanee had also heard the order
himself, or at least guessed its import
But instead of making off, as she ex-
pected. spurred up his pony. and. com
ing directly up to the officer asked
him, with an air of confding simple
ity, to buy some of his apples, which
he said were "eny most ripe, and
grand for pies
"Who are you. fellow" said the
l
quest.
who | be? l am 10 Wilkins. But
amt you going to buy some of the APP
ples?' persisted the former.
Blast yonr apples - impaticntly
replied the officer: "that is what |
want of you. Where do you liver"
"Up IN the edge of Arlington, when
I'm to hum-next house to uncle
|
know. answered the other; 'but
these ap-"
"Whom are you for? King or Con
gress? interrupted the officer.
''Who be Congus? | don't know
him, /" said the former, with doubtful {
stare.
''Well, then. whom do you fight
for"' resumed the somewhat Modified
officer.
Don't fight for nobody tn our house
cause dads Quaker-but then if ;
you'd buy"
"fes, yes ;but you must tell me hon
sst what you came here for today, and
who sent you, my lad?'
"Why, dad sent me to sell the apples
because he wants the money to buy I
some rye with. But I've been all
'ound and amt sell'd half, they kept
1othering me so. And now it is /
line to go hum and nobody won't |
1uy 'em," said the speaker, with a /
loleful tone, and evident signs of L
I
well, we'll, my honest lad" re- t
ponded the commiserating and now q
officer; don't mind it-no I
,ody wants to harm you. There is v
laf crown to pay you for my part OF II
he bothering."
why are you going to buy 'em e
III" eagerly asked the other as with t
grin of delight be clutched the t
precious metal. +
mo, no, =" said the former kindly. s
Il do not wish for any of your ap II
les--they are too green, though they a
nay do for cooking. You would be 8
lost likely to sell them in some of the t
ouses. q
"Well, now, | vow | never thought h
{ that jest's likely AS not mought" e
reclaimed the fellow Frightening a