Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-17
DEPARTURES.


just at the close OF the Revolutionary war,
there was seen somewhere in one of the small
towns of central Massachusetts,, ragged,
forlorn-looking soldier coming up the dusty
street. He looked about on the cornfelds
tasseling for the harvest, on the rich, bright
patches Of wheat ready for the sickle, and on
-the green potato fields, with curious eyes,
so at least thought Mr.. Towne, who was
walking leisurely behind him, going home
from the reaping to his supper. The latter
was stout farmer, dressed in homemade
brown linen trowsers, without suspenders,
vest or coat. The ragged soldier stopped un-
der the shade of a great sugar maple, and
Mr.. Towne overtaking him, stopped also.
alone from the warsl" he asked.
"Just out of the British clutches" replied
the man; 1--WE been a prisoner for years"
He rejoined suddenly. 'Can you tell me
who lives in the next house? Is it yours?'
mo-" replied /. Mr.. Towne. "Tompkins
lives there. That house and farm used to
belong to a comrade of yours, as | suppose !;
his name was Jones, but he was shot at Bun
ker Hill, and his widow married again"
The soldier leaned against the tree. 'What
kind of man is he? mean what kind of
people are they there? Would they be likely
to let poor soldier have something to eat?"
"If Tompkins is out, you'd be treated first
rate there. Mrs Tompkins is nice woman,
but he is the snarliest cur that ever gnawed a
bone. He is terrible surly neighbor, and
he leads her dogs life. She missed it mar
rying 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 that he was dead-he saw him bleed to
death on the battlefield she broke right
down, and this Tompkins came along and
| got into work for her, and he laid himself out
| to do first-rate. He somehow got on the
| blind side of all of us, and when he offered
himself to her, l advised her to have him, and
| am sorry / did it. You had better come
with me. | always have 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 acquaintance. The fact is, used to
know her first husband, and l guess | will
call there
Mr.. Towne watched him as he went up TO
the door and knocked, and saw that he was
admitted by Mrs. Tompkins.
Some old sweetheart of hers, may be,
said Mr.. Towne, nodding to himself. "He
comes too late; poor woman, she has had a
hard row To hoe now" Then Mr.. Towne
went home to supper, and we will 90 in with
the soldier.
Gould you give poor soldier mouthful
to eat?" he asked of the pale, nervous woman
who opened the door.
NV husband does not allow me to give
anything to travellers" she said, ''but i alway:
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 providing refreshment for the poor
man, who had thrown himself in the neares
chair, and with his head leaning on his breast
seemed too tired to remove bis hat from hi
face.
IL am glad to have YOU eat, and wouldn'
hurry YOU for anything she said in fright
ened way. 'but YOU ,ciN eat quick, won't YOU
for expect every minute he Will be in
The man drew his chair to the table, keep
ng his hat on his head as though he belonged
10 the Society OF Friends, but that could no
be. for the Friends" do not 20 to the wars
He ate heartily of the bread and butter an,
) cold meat, and how long he was about it,
Mrs Tompkins fidgetted. Dear me,
she said TO herself, if he only knew, h
: wouldn't be 80 cruel as to let Tompkins CONT
IN and catch him here" She went an,
looked from the window uneasily; but th
soldier gave no token of his meal coming Il
an end. Now he Is pouring vinegar on hi
cold cabbage and potatoes. | can't ask hin
To take those away in his hand. Oh. dear
how slow he i. hasn't the man got any teeth.
AT last she said mildly, Il am very sorry t
hurry YOU, sir, but couldn't YOU let me sprea
l. some bread and butter, and cut YOU som
. slices of meat TO take away with YOU? NJ
I husband will use abusive language TO YOU
? he finds you here"
: Before the soldier could reply. footster
e were heard on the door-stone at the bae
door, and man entered. He stopped shor
and looked at the soldier as savage do
n might look. Then he broke out in a tone b,
tween a growl and a roar-