The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-03-07

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Moses and Abel, two sturdy boys of
eleven and thirteen years, were pairing
pumpkins, large supply Of which, cut up
in circular slices, was already hung on
poles overhead to dry.
Mary, pretty little dark eyed girl,
was sitting by her mother, with knitting
work in hand, though her wandering eye
turned from her work to the corn, the
pumpkins and the pudding, where they
often rested, did not admit Of much pro-
gress, as she was not skllful enough to
knit without their aid.
She was, in truth, tired and hungry as
her kind mother well knew, and pattinp
her gently on the head, she told Mary to
put away her work and get the table ready.
How her eyes sparkled as she jumped up
ito obey this welcome order!
Moses turned from his work to throw
piece of pairing after sis, as she bounded
by, while Abel, more watchful than his
illustrious namesake, slyly reached into
his brothers pocket and took from thence
a large and fair apple, which the former
had vainly thought of keeping for his Sun
day dinner.
"Sitt the meal finely through your fin
gers Ruth, and stir it well; there, now,
let 1t boil few minutes before you put in
anything more. The beauty Of pudding
is in having it well done, and free from
lunches.
As Mrs johnson said this she " ent 10
the fire, and looked at the boiling mass :;
then seeming satisfied with its appearance
returned to her seat.
The pudding was soon ready, and with
= large supply Of new milk, was placed
on the table. The family stood around,
and after blessing had been asked,
the Oldest sat down and all commenced
eating.
Mr.. Johhson was good man. There
was no touch of hypocracy in his religion,
but he was always to be found in the sarue
track, and his neighbors knew where to
look for him.-llis children had been
brought up in the old fashioned way, and
the will Of their parents was with ,hem
the law.
1he oldest Bon, u young man Of TWEEN.
ty, had left home a year previous to join
the army under Washington. His term
OF service had now expired, and he was
expected back.
James was smart, active fellow, with
with good share Of patriotism, a hardy
frame, and well fitted for soldier.
Living on the Jersy line, on the edge
Of Pennsylvania, his home was not far
from the seat Of war, and the danger TO
which his friends were exposed, as the re-
gion came into temporary possession Of
the enemy, nerved him for greater effort
than would have otherwise been made.
Thus, at the age Of nineteen, with his
knapsack on his back, containing only a
few days provisions, he Joined the army
as volunteer, just before the battle Of
Trenton, and shared the glory Of that
splendid victory.
The campaign for the season was now
nearly closed and James proposed to spend
the winter at home, and return in the
Spring to the ranks.
Mr. Johnson had made money in
farmers slow way, before the war. II
was not so hard to do it then, for fashion
was not so powerful as she is now, and a
mans station was not so often regulated
by his dress and furniture.
He gave his children such means for
acquiring know ledge as the poor schools
Of the region would afford; and what
they wanted in information was made up
in good will.
Such was the family Of the honest for
mer.--Let us now look at circle around
another fireside, not far distant, and see
Whist signs Of character may be there re-
vealed.