The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-09-26

been spared. An old farm house, sur
rounded by fields of waving grain and
corn, in the Autumn time, and over
hung by the branches of various trees,
golden with the fullness of time, is a
sight of picturesque beauty in a rich
valley, especially if a fine old noun
tain looks up in the back ground, or a
deep shade of forest trees stretched
away into the clear, mellow atmosphere
beyond.
In that one before US q am speak
ing now as if it stood in the old spot)
the widow Of a noble Captain Pierpont
lived some twenty years ago. The
lady was fine specimen of old time
women ; dignifed, even commanding
in manner, with fresh bloom upon
her cheek, finely moulded forehed,
and deep earnest expression in her
yet bright eyes. She was woman
of refined and cultivated intellectual
powers, woman who in youth had
known no suit of wealth, whose mind
was stored with classic love, who had
never, till she had emigrated to the
wilderness Of the New World, soiled
her fingers even in household work.
Father and husband were both dead.
The bones of the former reposed in an
other country, beneath a marble mon
ument the latter had now slept two
years in the little burying ground be-
side the wooden church in sight of the
red farm house, and small gray stone
marked the spot where his ashes min
gled with the dust.
One day during the hardest cam
paign of the soldiers, Madam Pierpont
was alone at the farm. Pomp, ne
gro servant, had gone on some errand
which would detain him until night
fall, and Alex, the hired man, had
wounded his hand in the morning
with an axe, so that he was quite dis
abled and obliged to return to his
home, about mile distant, which by
way, was the nearest homestead to the
old red farm house. The widows four
brave sons of ages varying from 18 to
26, had started but two days previous
for the field of their country's bat
tie.
While the widow realized that in all
probability, some, perhaps all, of her
treasures would be smitten by the
ruthless hand of war, her cheek was
still unblanched, and holy hope sat in
the repose of her beautiful features
Only now and then she turned to open
the Bible before her and read few
consoling passages, and straightway
resumed her work with a trusting
smile. All !! patriotism found home
in many.such an endearing breast.
Suddenly from the distance came a
sound like the trampling of horses feet,
and a great cloud of dust bespoke the
approach of travellers hurrying to their
destination. The widow moved to
the door, and shading her eyes from
the intense sunshine, watched their
progress. They drew nearer, and in
another moment three horsemen drove
up before the door They wore mill.
tary costume, and were all fine look
ing men. The foremost gentleman
far exceeded the others by his impos-
ing figure and the greatness of his
countenance. 1t needed no introduce
tion to assure the widow that this was
George Washington. With that cour-
tesy which always characterized him
he bowed gracefully to Madam Pier
pont, as he blandly asked if he could
find rest and refreshment.
"Our horses are wearied we have
ridden since this morning and would
fain recruit" he added.
Certainly, gentlemen, and well
come," she replied smilingly, throwing
wide open the door as they dismouted.
"Our poor beasts" said one of the
officers, patting his smoking horse.
would they could be attended immedi-
ately. Is there a groom or servent
about your house, Madam, who could
rub them down and feed them? l
will reward him literally"
eve would ask no re ward in this
household, Sir" replied the widow
eff you lead chem round they will be
cared for"
"Make yourselves perfectly COM
Portable, gentlemen" said the widow,
and excuse me while l prepare your
refreshments. You must be hungry
as well as fatigued."
In another minute the widow was
in the stable unsaddling the poor hors-
es-work to which she was not accus-
toned but which she nevertheless
conld do in time of need, being a