The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-06-29

emily Father cast myself and mine, Cor.
poral,' he said, as he bent over the straw nal
let on which lay the poor fellow, L have de.
cided. so far as am concerned. TO give YOU
resting place in my own home. but there
are others TO be consulted, must first gain
the consent o! my wife, who has long born a
heavy burden without my aid. You will
soon go 10 Greenwich hospital, and there
trust will be healed entirely. When this
Is accomplished, you shall again see PhiIo
Blanchard ready 10 assist you in every way
in bis power.
Thus the generous hearted old man, for
getting his own ease and comfort, crowned
lstoilsome campaign With one oil the. noblest
acts recorded,
CHAPTER III.
On the first of October, 1914, after an alb
sence Of nearly two years, Philo Blanchard
received his discharge from service, and
mounting his horse, which he had purchased
for the purpose commenced his long Journey
OF nearly 500 miles.
His heart swelled with conflicting emo
tons as the floor manned and helpless SOL
ders crowded around him and besought a
parting blessing.
Fellow comrades, children OF my care;' he
cried, May God be your leader, comforter
and captain, and after the tolls and conflicts
OF life are over, may we meet in heaven
Amen echoed the poor sufferers as they
followed his retreating form down the decliv-
ity with fearful eyes.
The last eminence was gained which over
looked the scene the great conflicts, There
lay the peaceful lake, its quiet waters dan
cling in the morning sunlight, all unconscious
that they rolled over so many gallant soldiers
sleeping beneath lis blue waters.
There, too, stood on lis margin. the little
sturdy Fort which had defed so long the
proud forces of His Majesty, and by lis ter
ific explosion sent anguish and mourning
into hearts bounding so lately with victory
There on the opposite side, stood the long
brown dismal looking hospital, the scene OF
his labors and emotions of tender interest
clustered around his recolectiUns. as he
stood alone. His three gallant companions
laid low, their graves far away from their
childhood homes, destined 10 lie there me-
elected in 4 soldiers grave. His heart swell
led with grief, and he turned from the affec
ting scene.
At the close of the second days travel, he
found himself far away from any public house
and his horse wearied with the journey, when
he suddenly came upon iule cottage which
stood on the edge OF dark forest. Riding
TO l., he enqured if he might obtain nights
lodging. A matronly lady came 10 The door,
ana in a mild, genie voice acquiesced. She
seemed TO have known better days, and Philo
was Instantly struck with her manner, which
reminded him of early times. She also
stood gazing into his face, with emotions OF
wonder and establishment, depicted on her
countenance, who are you? where did you
come from? 1t is-it must be-Philo Blan-
chardr she exclaimed.
That is my name, said our honest friend.
but do not recoIlect YOU
For whom did you name your eldest daugh-
ler?'
PhiIo waited not 10 hear more. Can ]
trust my Senses he cried. He sprang from
his horse, and in an instant, Mary Hastings OF
Turner days his young maid of The skill was
folded 10 his bosom 1t was the first friend
he had seen for many long. weary doy, and
no wonder his courageous heart foundrelielin
tears. To meet in the lonely wilderness.
this companion of his early years, was a
thrilling event, and 10 The lovers oil fiction
such an incident will be interesting, but as
nv whole narrative has been a simple detail
offacts, it will give additional weight 10 this
romantic story,
Soon they were seated in the snug little log
cabin. by cheerful fire, surrounded by Ma
ry's children.
Here was the once blooming and happy
Mary,the pride of her native village, dwelling
in lone cot in the wilderness, with her little
family. After partaking of their simple, scan
~ meal, Philo drew from her the history oil
her adventures since they parted so many
wears before. on the mountain pass in front OF
his own cottage.
The sckening details are like too many
other relations ofblIghted hopes and ruined
prospects. Mary's father, in seeking for his
daughter wealth and fame, overlooked the
nober qualities Of the soul, and procured a
partner for her, who was far from apprecia-
ting her gentle trusting nature Himself a
selfish being. he soon gave himself up 10 the
qualification ofhs selfish propensities. Ne
gIeciing his business q INDUCING in dissipa-
lion, he soon failed. and involved his father
in-law in the general ruin. TO escape from
he notifications incident on this sad reverse
Mary's husband determined 10 leave friends
and home, and go into The western wilds, and
there il possible. 10 forget his misfortunes in
new scenes. He therefore purchased small
piece ofland on the Gennessee river. and ia
king the weeping Mary from her early frinds
and home sub jecting her TO all the privations
of a new uncuItiva,ed country He there
sickened and died, victim Of intemperance,
and his unfortunate wife saw herself sur
rounded by her children disheartened wild
ow. To add to her sorrows, ifher cup was
not already full, she learned that her parents
had both gone down with sorrow 10 the
grave, She did not however. allow herself
10 sink under this accumulated weight OF
misery. but trusting IN the widows God,
she rose up to the task Of supporting herself
and three children, and bore hardship and
privation, which early training and indnl-
gence had little prepared her 10 endure. I'm
der these circumstances. Blanchard so acct
dentalIy found her. After passing the night
with this interesting family the morning found
him ready 10 continue his onward journey,
but lot until he had divided with Mary his
well filled purse, and large roll of camp
blankets.
H.w many New England homes were
gIaddened by the returning husbands and