Litchfield enquirer., 1862-02-27
BY MRS. HARRIET BnEcHER STOWE.


 wasn't much in itself but it was part of whole system of oppressive meanness, designed to take away our rights, and make us slaves of | foreign power.'
 Slaves! said Dick, strengthening himself ur proudly, Father slave ?
 But they would not be slaves! They saw clearly where it would all end and they would not begin to submit to it in ever so little, said the mother.
 T wouldn't if was they said Dick. ] Besides said his mother, drawing him to- wards 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 is free one, will be the light of the world-a city set on hill, that cannot be hid and all the oppressed and distressed from other countries shall come here tc enjoy equal rights and free dom. This dear boy, is why your father and uncles haze gone to fight and why they do stay 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 exutation shone through those tears. Well, we'll, Roxy you can always talk, every body knows,' said Aunt Hitty who had not been the least attentive listener of this little patriotic harangue; but you see the tea is getting cold, and yonder l see the sleigh is at the door, and Johns come; so let's set up our chairs for sup. per-
 The chairs were soon set up, when John the eldest son, lad of about fifteen, entered with a letter. There was one general exclamation, and stretching out of hands towards it. John threw it into his mothers lap the tea table was for gotten, and tea kettle sang unnoticed by the fire, as all hands crowded about mothers chair to hear the news. It was from Capt. Ward, then in the American army at Valley Forge. Mrs. Ward ran it over hastily, and then read 1t aloud. A few words we may extract:
 There is still,' it is said, much suffering. l have given away every pair of stockings you sent me, reserving to myself only one; for l will not be one whit better off than the poorest soldier that 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 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 comfortless huts, 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 Washingtons general orders-ttle short note, but it'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, need not tell you what to do. know all that will be in your hearts,
 There, children, see what your father suffers, said the mother, and what it cost these poor soldiers to gain our liberty
 'Ephraim Scranton told me that the commits sioners had come as far as the Three Mile Tav- ern, 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 ? 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 Hitty?' Mo- said Aunt Hitty; I 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 mu- sing; that bed has two of old Aunt Wards blan- kets on it, and the great blue quilt and two con- forters on it. Then mothers and my room, two pair-four oomforters-two quilts-the best chamber has got-'
 %, Aunt Hitty, send all that's in the best chamber If any company comes, we can make it up off from our 6eds' said J ohn. I can send blanket or two off from my bed, know ;- can't but just turn over ill it, so many clothes on now
 Aunt Hitty, take blanket off from our bed said Grace and Dick at once.
 | Well, well, we'll see,' said Aunt Hitty, bust ling up.
 Up rose grandmamma with great earnestness now, and on going to the next room, and open. ing large cedar wood chest, returned, bearing in her arms two large snow white blankets, which she deposited flat on the table just as Aunt Hit ty was whisking off the table cloth. l Mortal Mother, what are you going to do :? said Aunt Hitty.
 'There,' she said, spun those, every thread of 'em. when my name was Mary Evens. Those were my wedding blankets, made of real rice wool, and worked with roses in all the corners I've got them to give ? and grandmamma strok ed and smoothed 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 Hitty. Use them on your own bed, and send the blankets off from that they are just as good for soldiers
 little warm 'tisn't bit too good for lem, IT send the very best have got, before they shal suffer. Send lem the best? ? and the cid lady gestured oratorically.
 They were interrupted by knock at the door and two men entered, and announced themselye as commissioned by Congress to search out sup plies for the army. Now the plot thickens.-- Aunt Hitty flew in every direction, through tn |entry passagesmeal room, milk room, down eel Ter, up chamber-her cap border on end with pa triotic zeal and followed by John, Dick, ant Grace. who eagerly bore to the kitchen the sup plies that she turned out while Mrs. Ward bus red herself in quietly sorting and arranging, il the best possible travelling order, the variou contributions that were precipitately launched } on the kitchen floor.
 Aunt Hitty soon appeared in the kitchen wit ana an armtul h of stockings which kneeling on tn
 AoU1; sTh, sne pesan coanIlng and laying out. :.
 on some blankts, that leaves just two pal
 La said John. what's.the use of saving tw lpair for mel l can do with one pair, as well 3 fathar.' st~g ;. .''''' '''''