Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-11-21
THE RAGGED SOLDIER.
From the Student and Schoolmate

From the Student and Schoolmate.
Just at the close of the revolutionary war,
there was seen somewhere in one of the small
towns of central Massachusetts, a ragged and
forlorn looking soldier coming up the dusty
street. He looked about on the corn fields tas-
selling for the harvest, on the rich, bright patch
es of wheat for the sickle, and on the green po-
tato field, with curious eyes-so at least thought
Mr.. Towne, who was walking leisurely behind
him, going home from the reaping to his sup
per- The latter was stout farmer, dressed in
home made linen trousers, without suspenders,
vest or coat. The ragged soldier stopped I'M
der the shade of great sugar maple, and Mr..
Towne overlook him, and stopped also.
"Home from the wars ?" he asked.
"Just out of the British clutches" replied the
man, I've been prisoner for years He re-
joined suddenly, Can you tell me who lives in
the next house, is it yoursP
No. replied Towne, 'Tompkins lives there.
That house and farm too belong to comrade of
yours, as l suppose. his name was Jones, but
he was shot at Bunker Hill, and his widow
married again.
The soldier leaned against the tree. What
kind of a man is he, | mean what kind of
people live thereP Would they be likely to let
apoor soldier have something to eatP
IF Tompkins is out. you'd be treated first
rate there Mrs. Tompkins is q nice woman,
but he is the snarliest cur that ever gnawed
bone. He is a terrible surly neghbor, and he
leads her dogs life. She missed it marrying
the fellow, but you see she had hard time of
it with the farm after Jones went off soldering,
and when my son came back and said he was
dead-he saw him bleeding to death on the bat
tie feld-she broke right down. and this Temp
kins came along and got into work for her, and
he laid himself out 10 do first rate.-He some
how got on the blind side of all of u.s. and when
he offered himself to her, advised her to have
him, and am sorry did it. You had better
come home with me. l always have a bite for
any poor fellow that's fought for his country
Thank you,' kindly returned the soldier, but
Mrs Tompkins is a distant-a sort of old ac-
quaintance The fact is | used to know her
first husband, and guess l will call there
Mr.. Towne watched him as he went up to the
door and knocked, and saw that he was admit
ted by Mrs. Tompkins.
Some old sweetheart of hers, may be- said
Mr.. Towne, nodding to himself. He comes too
late; poor woman, she has hard row to hoe
now Then Mr.. Towne went home to supper,
and we will go with tine soldier.
Gould you give a poor soldier mouthfu to
eat| he asked of the pale, nervous woman who
opened the door.
My husband does not allow me to give any
thing to Travellers she said, but always feel
for the soldiers coming back and I'll give you
some supper if you won't be long eating it, and
she wiped her eyes with her white and blue
checked apron, and set with alacrity about pro-
viding refreshments for the poor man, who had
thrown himself in the nearest chair, and with
his head leaning on his breast, seemed too tired
even to remove his hat from his face.
Il am glad to have YOU eat, and | would not
hurry you for anything, she said in frighten-
ed way, but you ,ciU eat quick, won't youP for
| expect every moment he will be in
The man drew his chair to the table keeping
his hat on his head as though he belonged to
the society of Friends, but that could not be,
for the 'irierds' do not go to the wars. He ate
heartily of the bread and butter and cold meat,
and how long he was about itP
Mrs. Tompkins fdgeted. Dear Me- she
said to herself, III; he only knew, he would not
be so cruel as to let Tompkins come in and catch
him here She went and looked from the win
dow, uneasilyi but the soldier gave no token
of his meal coming to an end. Nov he is
pouring vinegar on the cold cabbage and pota-
toes ! can't ask him to take those away ia
his hand. Oh, DEAR how slow he is has not
the man any teethP At last she said, mildly
Il am very sorry to hurry you, sir, but couldn't
you let me spread some bread and butter, and
cut some slices of meat, to take away with you.
Ny husband will use abusive language to you,
if he finds you here
Before the soldier could reply, footsteps were
heard on the door-stone at the back door, and
man entered. He stopped short, and looked
at the soldier as savage dog might look
Then he broke out in a roar between grow
and roar =
IHey-day, Molly, pretty piece of business
What have told you, time and again, m adam
You'll find you had better mind your master.
And you, you lazy, thieving vagahond, let me
see you clear out of my house and cut off of
my land good deal quicker than YOU came on
the premises
your house and your land exclaimed the
soldier, starting suddenly up erect and tall. and
dashing off his hat with quick, fiery gesture
His eyes flashed like lightning, and his lin,
auivered with indignation, as he confronted the
astonished Tompkins. The latter was afraid Of
him. and his wife had given sudden nervou,
shrek when the soldier first started to his fee
and threw off his hat, and had sunk trembling
and half fainting in chair for she recognized
him.
you haint any business to interfere between
me and my wife, said 1ompkins sulkily, COW
ed by the attitude of the soldier.
.'Your wife exclaimed the soldier, with thu
very concentration of contempt expressed in hi
voice. and pointing to him with an indignan
finger
WHO are you?' asked Tompkins, with an ali
of ,effrontery.
Il am Harry Jones, since you ask. replied tn,
soldier, the owner of this house and this land
which you will leave this very hour! AS fol
Molly softenng his tone as he turned to thu
woman now sobbing Historically, she shall
choose between u.s.
20 Harryp sobbed she, while Thompson
stood dumb with astonshment, take me, save
me
With one step he was at her side, holding hel