The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-03-13

| ~ hihS she assluuOusly engaged, TO
an appearance. with her needle on
some lght sewing work, and he no
less diligently with his penknife on n
pine CHIP which he was essayipp to
shape into human profile. that of his
mistress as might be surmised from
tle sly Chances with which he seemed
occasionally to scan her features,
| Enough now dressed in his smartest
| iustan, he yet appeared awkward and
Ill at ease while the timid and hest
tating air, with which he seemed to
regard his fair companion, indicated
lnuch conscious uncertainty respecting
the place he might hold in her affec-
tlons, She, on the contrary, seemed
quite self-possesscd, and wore the air
OF one not particularly solcitous about
pleasing, which gave her as much ad-
vantage over him in her manner as she
obviously possessed in her person for,
besides good form and wholesome
roseate bloom, she had one of those
polygoit countenances which seem al
most to sup rsede the necessity of
speaking trait she very prettilv ey-
hlblted while listening to the forced
hints and innuendoes of her lovers
conversation. as she occasionally lifted
her head now with blush, now with
smile, and now with a frown. that
caused his eyes to drop to the floor as
quick as those of rebuked schoolboy.
Thus far, she had not opened her lips:
but now, as her suitor, turning in his
chair, brought hitherto shaded arm
into view, and displayed upon his
sleeve common brass pin. usually de
N tod II, th1cn Al ]
pin. as this article. then almost ey-
Guided from the toilet by the war
That, sir she responded sig
nliicantly pointing to the pin. "Such
articles don't get here but in one way,
in these hard times, which compel us
to put up with thorns for pins. and
half tories for beauX," she added
with a meaning and rougish look
: Won you accept it, Vine?" he
said, obviously disconnected. but pre-
tending not To understand her allu-
sions.
Not unless you tell me honestly
how you got it, sir, :" she replied, de
cisively.
20, picked it up somewhere don't
remember now, she evasively answered
That, now, is a thumper. know
she rejoined, with pretty toss of the
head. But you don't put me off So
The fact is, Josh, | suspect you have
been among the tories today. Now
be honest and tell me, sir. -
And for the next ten minutes the
determined girl piled her reluctant and |
perpleXed companion, by all the means
which her ingenuity could invent, to !
accomplish her object: teasing, coax
ing, and threatening by turns. till, /
being unable to resist any longer, he |
replied, -
well, | will tell you; and it can't
DO any hurt either, for they will all
be out of reach before morning
who will be out of reach?" eagerly |
demanded the other.
1.-The men that my brother Samuel
You knew he had got a cap
tain's commission in General Bur
goyne's army, | 'spose. y
1--WE heard so; but has Captain
Samuel Rose been in town today"
Yes for ! may as we'll tell the
whole, now I've begun. The captain
has been all day at the house Of
brother Asa Rose, who lives out of the
way, there, in the woods, over beyond
the great road. you know. Well, he
has agreed to meet all he has enlisted
in this section there at sunset, and
lead them off to the British camp,
after people were abed. was there
Just before dark. and saw them: six
teen in all. besides the captain. all
armed and equipped, and he in full
Uniform: and he looks complete in it,
too, | tell you. >
but what was you among them
there for?'
30, | wanted to see Sam, and bid
aim goodby, you know, as he was
roing off never to come back. for
iught ! knew that was all upon hon
II, now"
perhaps it was; but one thing |
wish you to understand, Josh Rose,
md that is, if you take up for that
'ide of the question, openly Dr. secret
V. YOUR visits here
so, shan't; no notion ont, not
he least in the world so don't worry;
hough, candidly. Vine, | don't believe
Is much use for your folks to think
# standing out any longer. Why,
hundreds are joining the British every
Law. and what will be left, in a short ,,
ime, can do nothing towards stop
ling such an army as Burgoyne s. y
'What are left will be apt to try it.
think. sir" The subject was now
iropped: and the girl, after thought
nj pause, commenced on a theme more ..
greeable to her sutton, and for short
ime. was unusually sociable and =.
,racious: when she rose, and, careless :
v remarking she must be excused :
moment. left the room. and passed out :
through the front door, with noise :
nough in opening and closing 1t TO :
cave the other in no doubt as to the y
Erection of her exit. 49,, III
.'Well, Bart, what do you think oil :
bat?'' whispered our listener to him
elf. as now, on the departure OF the
.irl from the room, he Withdrew from
lie meaning hole. "Now. | pretend E
q saw. / wouldn't take gold guinea :
or what we have got through that ,
rack, nor two either, if our legs VIII !
AIRY Us to the village and really help Z
uick enough to have that batch OF
ories pabbed before they are OIL. but E
ats Jest edge along against the mother 7
oom ard see if there is any discovery !,
n he made there, before we start. a
Being equally fortunate in hnding 3
n onenipg into the room to when \
is attention was now directed, Bart =
autiously peered in: when his eye I
non fell on the solitary occupant, a !;
me. resolute- looking matror, quletiy i
>~>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><< D