The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-04-12
April nth, 1862

his country. Poor feIlows it makes any
heari ache sometimes TO go round anon
them, and see them with worn clothes and
torn shoes, ond often bleeding feet, yet
cheerful and hopeful. and every one willing
to do his very best. Often the spiri, of dis
couragement comes over them. particularly
at night, when weary. cold, and hungry,
they ,nru into their comfortless huts. on the
snowy ground. Then sometimes there is q
thought OF home. aod warm fires, and some
speak of giving up; but next morning ou,
come Washington's general orders-little
short note, but it's wonderful the good il
does and then they all resolve to hold on
come what may. There are commission
ers going all through the country to pick
up supplies. II they come to you, need
not tell you wha, 10 do. l know all tha,
will be in your hearts,
There, children. see what your father
suffers" said Sthe mother, =. and what ii
costs these poor soldiers to gain our liberty"
"Epnramin Scranton told me that this
commissioners had come SO 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.
. To- night? do tell. now! said Aunt
Htiy. Then it's time We were stirring
Let's see what can be got
!" III send my new overcoat. for one."
said John. " That old one isn't ut up
yet, is it, Aunt Hitty %
No." said Aunt Hitty; was laying
out 10 cut it over next Wednesday, when
Desire Smith could be here to do the tailor
ing"
- There's the south room," said Aunt
Hitty, musing; that bed has two of old
Aunt Wards blankets upon it, and the great
blue quilt and two comforters on it. Then
mothers and my room, two pair-four
comforters-two quilts-the best chamber
has GOT
Oh. Aun. Hitty, send all that's in the
best chamher! If any company comes we
can maze it up off from our beds said
John. Il can send a blanket or two off
from my bed. know; can't but just turn
over In 1t, SO many clothes on, now
Aunt Hitty. take blanket off from our
bed.' said Grace aud Dick at once
well. we'll, we'll see,' said Aunt Hitty,
bustling up
Up rose grandmama; with great earnest
ness, nov, on 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 are you going to
do 2 said Aunt Hitty.
There she said, Il spun those. every
thread Of 'em when my name was Mary
Evens. Those were my wedding blankets.
made of real nice wool. and worked with
roses in all the corners. I've got them to
give y and grandmamma stroked and
smoothed the blankets. and patted them
down with great pride and tenderness. 1t
was evident she was given something that
lay very near her heart; but she never fall
tered.
La. mother. there's no need of that
said Aunt Hitty. Use them on your own
bed. and send the blankets off from that;
they are just as good Tor soldiers
No l shan't J. said the old lady. waxing
a little warm; ',isn't bit too good for 'em
the best ! aud the old lady ge .tured orator
cally.
They were interrupted by knock at the
door. and two men entered and announced
themselves as commissioned by Congress to
search out supplies for the army. Now the
plot thickens. Aunt Hitty flew in every
direction. through the entry passage, meal
-oom, milk room. down cellar, up chamber
her cap border on end with patriotic zeal:
md followed by John Dick. and Grace who
eagerly bore TO the kitchen the supplies that
she turned out while Mrs. Ward busted her.
'elt in quietly sortiny and arranging in the /
best possible travelling order, the various
contributions that we're precipitately launch
ID on the kitchen floor.
Aunt Hitsy soon appeared in the kitohsp /
With an arriful of stockings. which, kneel-
ng the floor, she began counting and
aging ont.
There. she said, laying down a large
bundle on some blankets, that leaves just
wo pair apiece. all round
La, said John, what's the use of saving
wo pair for me ? can do with one pair
Is well as father
Sure enough said his mother. besides
can knit you another pair in day
And l can do with one pair said
Dick.
Yours will be two small, young master,
guess said one Of the commissioners.
No. said Dick. Il have got a pretty
ood foot of my own, and Aunt Hitty will
/ ways knit my stockings an inch too long.
ause she says | grow SO. See here
hese will do and the boy shook bis head
And mine. too said Grace. nothing
oubting, having been busy all the time in
uling off her little stockings.
Here she said to the man who was (,
acking the things into a wide rnouthed t,
ach; here's mine and her large blue eyes {
,oked earnestly thro' her tears ,
Aunt Hitty dew at her. Good land I
be child's crazy. Don't think the rnen
ould wear your stockings--take 'em away.'
Grace looked around with an air Of utter
isolation, and began to cry. 1. wanted to
i've them something. said she; I'd rather I
o barefooted on the snow all day, than no, ,
enI them any thing {
Give me the stockings. my child said ,
he old soldier. There I'll take 'em, and {
how 'em to the soldiers. and tell them /,
nat the little girl said that sent them ~ (.
! nd it will do them as much good as if they
ould wear them. They've go, little girls {
t home, too Grace fell on her mothers I
osom completely happy, and Aunt Hit,y j,
uly uuttsred-