The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-02-19
WHOLE NO. 279.
l77o-EgzE ALTAR OF LuBERTY.
By NJ RS. STO w Z.

Dick sprang, and had the table out in
t1icc with an abundant clatter, and put up
fhe leaves with quite an air. His mother
with the silence and gliding motion charac-
teristic Of her, quietly 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 Aunty Hitty
BUSTED about the tea.
'I'll be glad when the wars over, for one
reason,' said she. I'm pretty mucl, tired
of drinking sage tea, for one, know .tr
We'll, Aunty Hitty, how you scolded
that peddler only last week, that brought
that real tea
TO be sure did. Suppose I'd be TAX.
ing any of his old tea, bought Of the Brit
ish. Fling every tcacup in his face first
well, mother said Dick, Il never exact
ly understood what it was about the tea.
and why the Boston folks threw it over
board .. ..-. s.. ..
Because there was an unlawful tax laid
upon 1t that the government had no right
to pay. 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 said Dick Strengthening himself
proudly. Father slavep
But they would not be slaves. They saw
clearly where it woull all end and they
would not begin to submit to it ever so lit
tie said the mother.
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 important that it should have free and
equal laws, because it will by and by be so
great. This country, if it is free one, will
be light of the world-a city set on a
hill that cannot be hid, and all the opprcs-
scd and distressed from other countries
shall come here to enjoy the equal rights
and freedom. This, dear boy, is why your
father and unclts have gone to fi.ht. and
why they do stay and fight though God
knows what they suffer- and the large
blue eyes of the mother were full of tears,
yet strong, bright beam Of pride and ex.
ultatinn shonc through,those tears.
wei, well, Roxy, You can always talk,
everybody knows said Aunty Hitty, who
had not been the least attentive listener of
this little patriotic harangue, but you see
the tea is getting cold, and yonder see the
sleigh is ut the door and John has come. so
let US set up our chairs for supper
| The chairs were soon set up, when John.
the eldest son, lad Of about fifteen, enter.
Ell with letter. There was one general
exclamation and stretching out of hands
towards it. John threw it into his mothers
lap; the tea table was forgotten aud the
tea Kettle sang unnoticcd by the fire. as all
hands crowded about the mother chair to
hear the news. II was from Captain Ward
then in the American army. at Valley
Forge. Mrs Ward ran it over hastily. and
then read aloud. A few words VIC NAV ex.
tract: ..-
There is STILL it is said, much suffer.
ing. have given away every pair of stock
'ngs you sent me, reserving to myself only
one; lor Will not be one whit better than
the poorest soldier who fights for his caun-
try. Poor fellows! it makes my heart
ache sometimes to go round among them
and see them with worn Clothes and torn
shoes, and often bleeding feet, yet cheerful
and hopeful, and every one willing to do his
very best. Often the spirit of discourage
ment comes over them, particularly at
night, when. weary, cold and hungry, they
turn INTO their comfortlcss hu:s, on the
snowy ground. Then sometimes there is a
thoug ht Of home, and warm fires, and some
speaking OF giving up. But next morning
out comes Washington's general orders
little short note, but its wonderful the
good it does and they all resolve to hold
on, come what may There are commission
ers going all through the country to pick
up supplies. If they come to YOU, | need
not tell You what to do. | know all that
Will be in yonr hearts, .-s. ['.@
iherc, children, see what your father
( suffers, said the mothc-, 'and what it costs
these poor soldiers to gain OR liberty e..
'Ephram Scranton told me that the COM
!nissloners had cone as far as the Three
Miles Tavern, and that he rather 'spected
they be along here Tonight said John as
nc was helping round the baked beans to
the silent company at the tea table.
10 night!7Do tell nowv said Aunt
iiltty. Then it's time We were awake and
stirring. Let's sec what can be got.' e..
III send my new over coat for one said
John. THAT old one isn't clt up vet, is it
Aunt llitty p .-e "f@ '1..
No Said Aunt IIitty, Il was LAYING it
out to cut over next Wednesday. when
Desire Smith could be here to do the tailor.
ing
There's the south room,' said Aunt
liitty, niuSing; that bed has the two old
Aunt Ward blnketS on it, and the great
olIe quit and two comfnrters. Then,
mothers and my room two pair four com.
iorters-two quilts-the best chamber has
Co., ....-a... ..... -. 4. .,' ''.'
Oh, Aunt IIitty, send all that's in the
best chamber! lfany company comes, we
can make it up from our beds said John.
u can send blanket or two off from my
bed | know: can't but just turn over in it,
there is so many clothes, on, now.'
Aunt ilitty, take Il blanket Off from our
bed, said Grace and Dick at once.
. We'll, well, We'll see said Aunt Hitty
bustling up. ga rsss ~ -s- b.. ...
Up rose grandmama, with great earnest
ness, now, and going to the next room, and |
opening large cedar wood chest, returned. |
bearing in her arms two large, snow white
blankets, which she deposited fat on the
table, just as Aunt Hitty was whisking off |
the table cloth.
Mortal! mother, what arc you going to
do?' said Aunt Ilitty.
There She said, 4 spun those-every
thread of 'em, when my name was Mary
Evans. Those were my wedding blankets
made of real nice wool, and worked with
roses in all the corners. I've got them to
give! /! and the old lady stroked and smooth
ed the blankets, and patted them down with
great pride and tenderness. It was evident
she was giving something that lay very
near her, heart; but she never faltered ...
= La ! mother, there's no need of that
said Aunt Iitty. Use them on your bed,
and send the blankets off from that; they
IRE Just as good for soldiers '~
NO, stant p said the old lady waxing
warm; 'tisnt bit to good for 'em, III IL
send the very best | We got before they shall
suffer- Send 'em the VERY hest y and tha |