Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-11-23
gSclttt Gale.
THE RAGGED SOLDIER
A TRuE STONY OF the REVOLUTION.

Jus at the close OF the Revolutionary war, there
was seen somewhere in one of the small towns OF
central Massachusetts, ragged and forlorn look
ing soldier coming up the dusty street. He
looked about on the corn-ields tasseling for the
harvest, on tAe rich bright patches of wheat for
the sickle, and on the green potato field, with
curious eles,-so at least thought Mr.. Towne,
who walking leisurely behind him, going
home from the roaping to his supper. The latter
was a stout farmer dressed in home made brown
linen trowsers, without suspeude's, vest or coat.
The ragged soldier stopped under the shade OF
great sugar maple, and Mr.. Mowne overaking
him, stopped also.
"Home from the wars?' he asked.
Just out of the British clutches 7" replied the
man; Pye been prisoner for years" He rejnin-
ed suddenly, "Can you tell me who lives in the
next house! Is it yours!"
NO." replied Towne, -'Tompkins lives there.
That house and farm used to belong to a comrade
of yours. as suppose his name was Jones. but
he was shot at Bunker Hill, and his widow
married again."
The soldier leaned against the tree. "Wha,
kind of a man is he! | mean what kind Ct
people are they there! Would they be likely to
let poor soldier have something to eat !"
"lf Tompkins is out, you'd be treated first rate
there. Mrs. Tompkins is nice woman, but hi
, is the snarliest cur that ever gnawed bone. liz
is terrible suTy neghbor, and he leads her
6og's life. She missed it marrying the fellow
but you she had hard time OF it with tn
farm. Jones went off soldering, and when m
son came bsck he said he was dead-he saw hin
bleeding to death on the battle held--she brok
right dswn, and this Tompkins came along an
got into work for her, and he laid himself out t
= do first rate. He somehow got on the blind sid
of all Of US, and when he offered himself TO her,
Q advised her to have him, aud | am sorry did
You had better come home with me. l AWAY
have bite for any poor fellow that has fought f'
his country"
"Thark you," kindly returned the soldier, b.
III Mrs. Tompkins is a dislant-a sort OF old a
auaintsnce. The fact is, | used TO know her fit
husband, and guess will call there"
Mr.. Towne watched him he went up to .
sn door and knocked, and saw that he was admit
by Mrs. Tompkins.
.Some old sweetheart of hers, may be-" So
Mr.. Towne, noddng to himself. "He comes
tste poor woman, she has hard road to b
" now." Then Mr.. Towne went down home
supper and we will go in with the soldier.
"Could you give poor soldier mou,hful
he eat 7" he asked of the pale, nervous woman
er. opened the door.
o. .My husband does not allow me to give a
r. thing TO Travellers" she said, "but always
for the soldiers coming back, and I'll give
. some supper if you won't be long eating it,
she wiped her eyes with her white and I
q a checked apron, and set with alacri'y about pr
Irts ding refreshments for the poor man, who
thrown himself in the nearest chair, and with
!. head leaning on his breast, seemed too tired Q
70 remove his hat from his face.
and II am glad to have ,ou eat, and would
hurry you up for any thing" she said in a Ira
7. sncd way, but you will eat quick. won't J
fol- Isxpsel sv,ry iuousnl he will be ini