Worcester daily spy., 1861-12-06
GNurtester 9a1Ip Spp.
From the Mag flower, by Mrs Stowe.
ALTAR OF LIBERTY,

anu Bllulhg mOtlon characteristic OF her, quiet
ly took out the table cloth and spread it, and
began to set the cups and saucers in order, and
to put on the plates and knives, while Aunt
Htty hustled about the tea.
"Ill be glad when the wars over, for one
reason, said she. "Im pretty much tired OF
drinking sage tea for one, l know"
"Well, Aunt Hitiy, how you scolded that
peddler last week, that brought along that real
tea"
"To be sure did. Suppose I'd be taking
any of his old tea, bought OF the British!
Fling every teacup in his face frst!'
"Well, mother" said Dick, II never exact
ly understood what it was about the tea and
why the Boston folks threw it all overheard"
because there was an unlawful tax laid
upon it that the government had no right to
lay. 1t wasn't much in itself, but it was part
OF whole system of oppressive measures,
designed TO take away our rights and make US
slaves Of a foreign power"
'Slaves T. said Dick, Strengthening himself
proudly. "Father slave !"
but they would not be sav5s They saw
clearly where it would all end, aud they would
not begin to submit to it in ever so little" said
the mother
81 wouldn't if was they" said Dick.
Besides" said his mother drawing him
towards her, "it wasn't for themselves alone
they did it. This is great country and it
will be greater and greater and it's very i'm
portant that it should have free and equal
laws, because it will by and by be so great.
This country, if it is a free one will be light
of the world-a city set on hill thar can not
be hid and all the oppressed and distressed
from other countries shall come here to enjoy
equal rights and freedom This, dear boy, is
why your father and uncles have gone to fight
and why they do stav and fight, though God
knows what they suffer, and" and the large
blue eyes of the mother were full OF tears yet
strong, bright beam of pride and exultation
shone through those tears.
"Well, we'll Roxy, you can always talk,
everybody knows" said Aunt Hilty, who had
been not the least attentive listener of this lit,
tie patriotic harangue; ''but you see the tea is
getting cold. and yonder | see the sleigh is at
the door, and Johns come; so let's set UP our
chairs for supper"
The chairs were soon set up, when John,
the eldest son, a lad Of about fifteen, entered
with Il letter. There was one general eXcla-
nation, and stretching out OF hands toward it.
John threw it into his mothers lap; the tea
table was forgotten and the tea kettle sang
unnoticed by the fire, as all hands crowded
about mothers chair to hear the news. 1t was
from Capt Ward, then in the American army,
at Valley Forge. Mrs. Ward ran it over has.
tily, and then read it aloud. A few words we
may extract -
"There is still" it is said, ''nuch suffering.
L have given away every pair OF stockings you
sent me, reserying TO myself only one for |
will not be one whit better off than the poor
est soldier who fights for his country Poor
fellows it makes my heart ache sometimes
TO go round among them, and see them with
worn clothes and torn shoes, and often bleed-
ing feet yet cheerful and hopeful, and every
one willing TO do his very best Often the
spirit of encouragement comes over them,
particularly at night, when, weary, cold, and
hungry, they turn into their cointortless huS,
on the snowy ground. Then sometimes there
is a thought of home, and warm fires, and
some speak Of giving up; but next morning
out come Washingt0n's general 0rders--lttle
short note, but i's wonderful the good it does!
and then they all resolve to hold on, come
what may. There are commissioners going
all through the country to pick up supplies.
If they come to you, l need not tell you hat
to do. L know all that will be in your
hearts"
3There, children, see what you father suf
fers." sald the mother, "and what it cost these
poor soldiers to gain our liberty.
"Ephraim Scranton told me that ihe 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 was
helping round the baked beans to the silent
company at the tea table.
Tonight ?-Do tell, now y said Aunt Hitty.
"Then, it's time we were awake and stirring.
Let's see what can be got"
"I'll send my new overcoat for one" said
John. "That old one isn't cut up yet, is it,
Aunt Htty 2"
"No," said Aunt Hity, 81 was laying out to
cut it over next Wednesday, when Desire
Smith could be here to do the tailoring"
"There's the south room, said Aunt Hitty,
musing; that bed has the two old Aunt Ward
blankets on il, and the great blue quilt, and two
*comforters Then, mother's and my room,
two pair-four comorters-two quilts-the
best chamber has GOT
"Oh, Aunt IItty, send all that's in the best
chamber! If any company comes, we can
make it up off from our beds" said John. 81
know cant but just turn over in it, so many
clothes on, now"
"Aunt Hitty, take blanket off from our
"Well, well, we'll see, said Aunt Hitty,
busting up.
Up rose grandmamma, with great earnest
ness, now, and going to the next room, and
opening a large cedar-wood chest, returned,
bearing in her arms two large snow white
blankets, which she deposited flat OH the table,
just as Aunt Htty was whisking Oft the table
cloth.
"Mortal! Mother, what are you going to
to do? 2" said Aunt Hitty.
'tThere," she said, Il spun those-"every
thread of 'em, when my name was Mary Evans.
Those were my wedding bankets-made of
real nice wool and work ked with roses in all
the corners i've got them to give !" and the
old lady stroked and smoothed the blankets
and paited them down with great bride and