Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-05-18

that if the British should come
''Well, if you are so big and grand just lift
me out that table sir said Aunt Hit;y; for
it's past supper time"
Dick sprang and had the table out in a trice
with an abundant clatter, and put up the leaves
with quite an air. His mother, with the silent
and gliding motion characteristic of her, qui-
etIy took out the table cloth and spread it, and
began to set the cups and sancers in order,
and to put on the plates and knives, while
Aunt Hitty hustled about the tea.
I'm be glad when the wars over, for one
reason said she. I'm pretty tired of drink
ing sage tea, for one. 1 know
We'll, Aunt Hitty, how you scolded that
pedlar last week, that brought along that real
tea -
nro be sure I did. s'pose I'd be taking
any of his old tea, bought of the British ?
fling every tea cnp in his face first"
'Well, mother" said Dick, Il never under
stood what it was about the tea, and why the
Boston folks threw it all overheard"
Because there was au unlawful tax laid up
on it, that the government had no right to lay.
1t wasn't much in itself, but it is part of a
whole system Of oppressive meanness, design
ed to take away our rights, and make US slaves
of foreign power"
"Saves :" said Dick Strengthening himself
proudly. Father a slave ~
But they would not be slaves They saw
clearly where it would all end, and they would
not begin to submit to it in ever so little"
said the mother.
Il wouldn't; IF I were they" said Dick.
Besides said his mother, drawing him TO-
wards her. lit wasn't for themselves alone they
did it. This is great country, and it will be
greater and greater and it's very important
that it should have free and equal laws be
cause it will by and by be so great. This
country, ifit is free one, will be light OF the
whole worid-a city set on hill, that can
not be hid and all the oppressed and dstres-
sed of other countries shall come here TO en-
joy equal rights and freedom. This, dear boy
is why your fathers and unces have gone to
fight, and why they do stay and fight, though
God knows what they suffer, and--7 and
the large eyes Of the mother were full oftears :;
yet strong, bright beams of pride and exul-
tation shone through those tears.
''Well, well, Rozy, you can always talk eve
rybody knows" said Aunt Hitty, who had
been not the least attentive listener Of this
little patriotic haraugue; but you see the tea
is getting cold, and yonder | see the sleigh is
at the door, aud Johns come; so let's set up
our chairs for supper"
The chairs were soon set up, when John,
the edtst son, aged fifteen, entered with let
ter. There was one general exclamation. and
stretching cut of hands towards it. John
threw it into his mothers lap; the tea table
was forgotten, and the tea kettle sung unno-
ticed by the fire, and all hands crowded around
mothers chair to hear the news. 1t was from
Captain Ward. then at Valley Forge. Mrs,
Ward ran ii over hastily, and then read il
aloud, A few words we may extract
"There is still much suffering. have Civ
en- away every pair of stockings you sent me,
reserving to myself only one for which | viii
not be one whit better off than the poorest
soldier that fights for his country. Poor fell
lows . it makes my heart ache sometimes to
go around among them, and see them with
their worn clothes and torn shoes, and often
bleeding feet, yet cheerful and hopeful. every
one willing to do his very best. Often the
spirit of discouragement comes over them, par
ticularly at night, when, weary, cold and hun
CRY, they turn into their comfortless huts Oh
snowy ground. Then sometimes there is a
thought of home, aud warm fires, and some
speak of giving up; but next morning out
comes Washington's general orders-littIe
short note, but its wonderful the good it does
and then they all resolve to hold on. come
what may There are commissioners going al
through the Country to pick up supplies Il
~ 7 oil hat f..
do. know all that will be in your hearts
"There, children, see what your father suf
fers," said the mother, "and what it costs these
poor soldiers to gain our liberty"
"Ephraim Scranton told me that the com
missioners had come as far as the Three Mile
Tavern, and that he rather spected they'd be
along here tonight" said John, as he wa,
helping around the baked beans to the silen
company at the tea table.
"To-night do tell, now y said Aunt Hit
ty. "Then its time we were awake and stir
Let's see what can be got"
I'll send my new overcoat, for one sale
John "1hat old one isn't cut up yet is ii
Aunt Hitty ?"
No" said Aunt Hitty. 81 was laying ou
to cut it over next Wednesday, when Desir
Smith could be here to do the tailoring"
"There's the south room," said Aunt Hitty
musng ''that bed has the two old Aun
Ward blankets on it, and the great blue quilt
and two comforters. Then mothers and M
room two pair--four comforters-two quilt
, the best the chamber has got-
80, Aunt Hittv, send all that's in the bes
f cha .nber! If any company comes, we ca
D make it up from our beds said John. Il ca
send blanket or two off from my bed,
/ know-can't but just turn over in it, so man
t clothes on now."
: "Aunt Hitty, take blanket of from ou
:. bed" said Dick and Grace at once.
. well, well, we'll see," said Aunt Hit
busting up.
: Up rose grandmamma, with great earnes
ness, now, and going into the next room, an
: opening large cedar wood chest, returne
i bearing in her arms two large snow viii
| blankets, which she deposited fat on the tabl
just as Aunt Hitty was whisking off the tab
J. cloth.
"Mortal mother what are you going
,r do ?" said Aunt Htty.
le "There," she said, Il spun those, eve
le of em, when my name was Mary Evans.
Those were my wedding blankets, made of re
n nice wool, and worked with roses in all t
If corners. I've got them to give!' and gran
e. mamma stroked and smoothed the blanke
ne and patted them down with great pride al
tenderness. 1t was evident she was givi
>" something that lay very near her heart; b
m she never faltered.
La mother, there's no need of that Sc
let Aunt Hitty. Use them on your own b.
he and send the blankets off from that they &
he just as good for the soldiers"
he mo, shau't p said the old lady, waxi
=" warm; "tisn't bit too good for 'em.
IT'S send the very best I've got, before they sh
. suffer- Send 'em the best :" and the old Ia