Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-11-23

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, foi the
"Friends" do not go 10 the wars II e ate heartily
of the bread and butter and cold meat and how
long be was aboutitl
Mrs Tompkips fdgeted. "Dear me" she said
to herself, if he only knew, he wouldn't he so
cruel as to let Tompkins come and catch him
here" She went and looked from the window
uneasily; but the soldier gave no token OF his
meal coming to an end. "Now he is pouring
vinegar on the cold cabbage and potatoes. can't
ask him to take those away i'm his hand. oh
dear, how slow he is (! hasn't the anv teeth. ="
At last she said mildly, II am very sorry to hurry
you, sir, but couldn't you let me spread some
bread and butter, and cut you some slices OF meat
to take away with you. My 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 a
man entered. He stopped short, aud looked at
the soldier as q savage dog might look. Then he
broke out in a tone between growl and a roar.
"Hey day, Molly, a pretty piece of business /!
What have told you time and again. madam
You'll find you had better mind your master.
And you, you lazy, thieving vagabond, let, me see
you clear out of my house and off Of my land a
good deal quicker than you came on the primises!'
soldier, starting suddenly up. erect and tall, and
dashing off his ha, with quick, fiery gesture.
His eyes flashed like lightning, and his lips
| quivered with Indignation as he confronted the
I astonished Tompkins, The latter was afraid OF
| him, and his wife had given a sudden, nervous
shrek when the soldier first started TO his feet
and flung off his hat, and had sunk trembling and
| half faintng in a chair, for she recognized him.
"You hain't any business to interfere between
me and my wife," said Tompkins, sulkily, cowed
by the attitude of the soldier
Your wife ~ exclaimed the soldier, with the
| very concentration of contempt expressed in his
voice. and pointing to him with an indignant
finger.
"Who are you1" asked Tompkins, with an
air of eirontery.
Il am Harry Jones, since you ask" replied
the soldier, "the of this house, and this lard
which you will leave this very hour! As for
Molly" softening his tone as be turned to the
women, now sobbirg hys,ericalIy, "she shall
choose between us"
20 Harry |" sobbcd she, while Tompkins stood
dumb with astonishmeut, "take me, save me y
With one step he was at her side, holding her
! in his arms. "What did you mean, treating this
poor child so Did you think because she hadno
earthly protector that there was not God In
heaven against you y
No man Who is cruel to women is ever truly
brave aud Tompkins slung away like beaten
spaniel.
| The next day had not passed away before
every body in the town knew that Harry Jones
had come home alive and well to rescue his much
enduring, patient wife from worse constrain
than that of British prison but what they al
said and what Harry said and what Molly felt
! mus, leave you TO imagine, for here the legend
ends