The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-01-31
y unsettled section, about ten

stable for the apprehension of the
offenders, who had been soon pretty
well identified, had put all the tories
in the town and vicinity on the watch
and the result was, that Bart had been
seen, traced to his retreat, seized and
brought back for trial
Although Bart's general demeanor
seemed to show perfect indifference
to the fate that now threatened him.
yet the quick, keen glances with which.
under that show of indifference, he
noted every movement of those into
whose power he had fallen and tho
restlessness he exhibited when their
eyes were not upon him, gave token of
no little perturbation. And it was not
without reason that his approximations
were excited; he knew the character
ana dlnsosition of the two tory justices
whom he saw taking their seats to try
him, and he rightly judged that he
need not expect either mercy or justice
at their hands. He had also detected
one of the constable's minions, who
had been despatched to the woods for
the purpose, stealing slyly round into
the horseshed, on his return, with
half dozen formidable looking green
beech rods; and he was at no loss to
decide for whose back they were in
tended, or by whose ruthless hand
they were to be applied.
"You can't go that, Bart" he
mentally exclaimed. "You must get
away; so now put your best contriv-
ances in motion, for tell you it won't
do for you to think of standing that
pickle. "
And as hopeless as to all appear
ances. was any attempt to escape his
captors, who stood round him with
loaded pistols in their hands, Bart yet
confidently counted on being able, in
some way or other to slip through
their fingers, and avoid the fearful
punishment which he knew was in
store for him, if he remained many
hours longer in their hands. To effect
this, he looked for no aid from others
for experience had taught him the
value of self-reliance. The whole life
of this singular being, indeed, had been
one which was peculiarly calculated to
throw him on his own resources,
sharpen his wits, and render him feri.
BILE in eXpedients. He had been a
founding, and knew on more of his
parentage than a young ostrich, that
springs from the deserted egg in the |
sand. He was left, when an infant, at !
the door of a poor mechanic, In |
Boston, by the name of Burt, and by |
him transferred to the almhouse, where
he was called after the name of his
finder. with the pet name of Barty,
given him by his nurse. Where he was
kept till he was four or five years Old
when he was given to the Shakers,
from whom he ran away at ten or
twelve. From that time, the poor
friendless boy became wanderer
the interior country, general
ly remaining but few months in a
place, being driven from each success
sive home by misusage, or for want of
profitable work for him to do, or. what
was still oftener the case, perhaps, for
fancied or real insults he had received,
the world like a foot ball, heated,
abused, cowed in feeling, and become.
in consequence, abiect, uncouth and
singular in manner and appearance.
ne at length reached the situation in
the family of the naughty loyalist
where We found him.
While Bart was thus uneasily revolv-
ing the matter of his present concern
Ia his mind, and beginning to cast
about him for some means OF escape,
the constable was called aside by those
Who had undertaken to manage the
prosecution, for the purpose of holding
With them consultation, the purport
IF which, though CARED on in low
.one, and at some distance, was soon
gathered by the quick and practised
,rt of the prisoner. 1t appeared that
he trial was being delayed in conse-
,uepce OF the absence Of Peters, who
vas an important witness, and who
lnaccountably failed to make his APP
,earance. And is being feared that
ne might have been waylaid, and de-
aimed on the road, by some band OF
he other party, to prevent him from
estifying, as all knew he was anxious
o do. it was settled that Fitch should ,
start Immediately in search OF him to
he house which he usually made his
temporary quarters in another part OF
he town. Accordingly the constable,
.fter putting the prisoner IN .harge
# two stout fellows who We're in his ,
interest, with orders to guard nm
loosely. and shoot him down the IN
tant he should attempt to escape, set
orth on his mission after Peters.
3art's countenance Frightened when
,e saw the savage officer depart, for
,e believed the absence of the latter
would greatly increase his chances OF ,
scape; and in spite of all the threats
,e had received of being shot, he re- ,
olyed to improve that absence IN max
no the attempt, though the manner OF ,
Ioing SO yet remained to be decided, /
" the circumstances which might
ccur. ..,- {
In the mean time trotting match !.
lad been got up in the road IN front J
c the tavern, by u small party, VINO {
adj been boasting of the speed ana j
tber qualities of their horses; and IT
zinc now understood that the trial
,as to be delayed till the constable S !
eturn. the whole company ieft lne I
,ouse. and went out to the road 10 VII i
ess the performance. Bart s Keepers G
ot being able, where they stood, 70
ee and hear what was going on very +
distinctly, and being equally desirous .
nth the rest to get at favorable stanu
or that purpose, after renewing the y
breat of shooting him if he attempted
o run away, took him along with them, '
nd entered the the line OF spectators +
ytended along the road. After Jew
r;a ls among those who began the con- 6
est several new competitors led on +
heir horses and entered the lists. ny I
his time most of the company pesan t