Georgetown weekly news., 1855-05-17
a story of the Revolution.

The following story. related by mother
to her children, a few years since, will show
the spirit that existed among the people of
New England at the trying period to which
it relates =
Late in the afternoon of one of the last
days in May, 1776, when | was a few
months short of fifteen years old, notice
came to Townsend, Massachusetts,. where
my father used to live, that fifteen soldiers
were wanted.
The train band was instantly called out
and my brother, next older than myself.
was one that was selected. He did not re-
turn till late at night, when all were in bed.
When | arose in the morning | found nv
mother in tears, who informed me that nv
brother John was to march the dav after
tomorrow, at sunrise. My father was at
Boston, in the Massachusetts Assembly
Mother said that though John was supplied
with summer clothes, he must be away sey-
en- or eight months, and would suffer for
want OF winter garments. There was, at
this time, no store, and no articles to be had.
except such as each family would make its
elf. The sight Of mothers tears always
brought ali the hidden strength OF the mind
to action. l Immediately asked her what
garments were needful. She replied, Pan
falcons"
"Oh, if that is ALL" said I ''we will spin
and weave him pair before he goes"
"Tut," said my mother, 1.-The wool is on
the sleeps back, and the sheep are in the
pasture"
Immediately turned to younger broth
er, and bade him take a salt-dish and call
them to the yard
Mother replied, "Poor child, there are
no sheep-shears within three miles and a
half"
Il have some small shears at the loom"
said |.
But we can't spin and weave in so short
a time"
Il am certain we can, mother"
How can you weave it? There is long
web Of linen in the loom."
n o matter, | can find an empty loom"
BY this time the sound of the Sheep made
me quicken my steps towards the yard. |
requested my sister to bring me wheel and
cards, while l went for the wool | went
to the yard with my brother, and secured a
white sheep, from which sheared, with my
loom shears, half enough for the web; we
then let her go with the rest to the fock.-
| sent the wool in with my sister. Luther
ran off for black sheep, and held her, while
/ cut off wool for my filling and half the
warp, and then we allowed her to 90, with
the remaining part of her fleece.
The wool thus obtained was duly carded
and spun, washed, sized and dried; loom
was found a few doors off, the web got in,
woven and prepared, cut and made, two or
three hours before my brothers departure
that is to say, in forty hours from the COM
mencement, without help from any modern
improvement
The good old lady closed by saying, Il
felt no WEAKNESS, | wept not-I was serving
my country; was assisting poor mother;
was preparing garment for my darling
brother. The garment being finished, re-
tired and wept, till my overcharged and
bursting heart was relieved"
This brother was, perhaps one of Gen.
Stark'S best soldiers, and, with such a spirit
to cope with, need we wonder that Bur
goyne did not execute his threat of march
ing through the heart OF America.
A WIDE-AwAKE EMPERoR.-The Empe-
ror of Japan seems to have a sharp eye to
his rights and privileges. He evidently is
not believer-in popular sovereignity
He directed that al the American gold
pieces which Mr.. Burrows, who lately vis-
tied Jeddo Bay, gave to his subjects should
be returned.@ The interpreter. discovered
Liberty on them, which alarmed the En-
peror.