The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-05-01
THE REFoRMER: BRArrLEBoRo, w. FRIDAY. MAY t. 1896.
note of invitation was rightly read and

|
interpreted.
so, the blackbird pie" replied the
countess, with sprightly air and a
charming touch of the German brogue.
81 was waiting to be reminded OF
that: for there is condition which
wish to propose to your excellency,
before the promised extra can make
| its appearance.
"Ah What is that, my Incompatible
cateress?" asked the former.
"Why, only that you carve and serve
the pie to the company yourself, mon
general" archly replied the countess.
49,. challenge to your chivalry, gen
eral, which no true knight could refuse
to accept cried Frazier and others.
81 yield me, and accede to the con-
dition," said Burgoyne gracefully wav-
ing his jewelled hand, and joining in
the general laugh.
at is we'll, =" said the countess, with
a finely assumed air of mock gravity,
as she raised her exquisite little table
bell which now under her rapidly
piled fingers, sent it's sharp jingle
through the house. The next moment
liveried servant, whose countenance
seemed slyly cleaning with some sup
pressed merriment, was seen advanc-
ing with broad. deep dish, tastefully
crowned by the swelling crust of snow
white pastry, which tightly enclosed
the supposed contents beneath.
At a motion of the indicating finger
of the hostess, the tempting dish was
brought forward and carefully placed
on the table before the many titled
carver, amid shower of compliments
to the distinguished artificer Of so fine
an edible structure, from him and many
others of the company. The general
now rose, and, int 1T only on the dex-
ferrous performance of the duties of his
new vocation, gave preliminary
flourish Of knife and fork, and dashed
into the pie; when low through the
rent thus made in the imprisoning
crust, out flew half score of live
blackbirds, which hutterng up and
scattering over the heads of the aston
ished guests, made for the open win
dow and escaped, with loud cries,
to their native meadows. At first a
slight exclamation from the gentle
men, half shrek from the ladies'
universal burst of uproarious laughter.
the playful countess. She. it appear
a couple of dozen of blackbirds. which |
by a net he had taken and brought to
her alive: when, keeping part as they |
We're, she contrived up the scheme to |
amuse and surprise her guests here |
described, and, staying the rest, made
Of them a veritable pie, that was now
brought forward. and partaken. with
great gusto, by the delighted company.
At length the cloth was removed. |
and the table replenished with bottles
and glasses. Then followed the usual
rounds of toasts-" the health of the
king, -" the invincibility of British
arms, '-"success to the present ex
petition and with many a deriding
,pithet. confusion to the rebels and
heir ragged army
Fill, gentlemen, said Burgoyne,
after the subjects above named had
,een sufficiently exhausted fill up
our glasses once more: for in des-
.anting on the public responsibilities
md glory of the soldier, let us not be
lnmindfui Of those private felicities
which are to reward his proves
give you,.' he added, with a sig
ificant glace ut our heroine-"I give {
gu, ladies and gentlemen, tine health
nd happiness of our two loyal Ameri 5
an officers. Colonel Peters and Cap '
ain Jones. the prospective bride. ,
rooms of the double wedding tomor-
ow, extremely regretting that both Of ]
he fair participants Of the happy oc- I
aston, instead of one. are not here to /
i've the beautiful response of their |
bushes to the sentiment =" g
AS the lively applause with which
his toast was received and drank was b
the ladies. TO the great re a
eff Of the astonished and confused {
liss Haviland now rose and retired a
} another apartment Here pleading
,me excuse for an immediate depart fl
re Sabrey hurried out through back I
ay and escaped unperceived to her "
Ither's quarters. small adjoining Il
lttage where she had lodged since her
rival in camp aud where she now
cluded herself, TO endeavor to fathom
le plot which the unexpected ana =,
warranted announcement just ind y
city made, together with some other u
rcumstances of recent occurrence, RI
alnly told her was in progress to en- ~
are her. q
But it may here be necessary for u
ear understanding OF some things -
hich have preceded and Others ID
hich may follow TO revert briefly to the
perience of the luckless maiden since
aced in her present uncongenial and
nbarrassing position. T..
tTO BE CONTINUED |,