Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-01-31
From the Nayiiower.I
7726-FHE ALTAR OF LIBER-
Tv
BY MRS STOWE.

Dick SpFang, and had the table out IN a
trice with an abundant clatter, and put up the
leaves with quite au air. His mother, with
the silent and gliding motion characteristic 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 Aunt Hitty hustled about the tea.
III be glad when the war is over, for one
reason, said she, Tin pretty much tired Of
drinking sage tea, for one, know"
well. Aunt Hitty, how you scolded
that -pedd.er last week that brought that real
tea"
To be sure did. Suppose I'd be taking
any of his old tea, bought Of the British
Fling every teacup in his face first"
"Well, mother" said Dick, Il never exactly
understood what il was about the tea, and why
the Boston folks threw il overheard"
Because there was an unlawful tax laid up
on it that the government h ID no right to lay.
1t wasn't much in itself, but it was a part OF
a whole system of oppressive measures design
cd to take away rights and make US slaves
Of Il foreign power"
Slaves, said Dick, s'raightenine himself
proudly. Father slave"
But they wonld not be slaves. They saw
clearly where it would all end, and they would
not begin TO submit to it in ever 30 little, said
the mcIhcr.
~And l wouldn't either if 1 was they" said
Dick
Besides, said his mother, drawing him TO-
wards her, lit wasn't for themselves alone
they did it, This is great country, and it
will be greater and greater, and it is very i'm
portant 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 word-a city set on hill that
cannot be hid, and all the oppressed and dis
tresscd from other countries shall come here
aud enjoy their rights aud freedom. This, !
dear boy, is why your father aud uncles have
gone 20 fight, and while they DO stay and fight
through, God knows what they will suffer, =
and the large blue eyes Of the mother were fu!l
Of tears, yet strong beam of pride and eX
ultaIion shone through those tears
"Well well, Roxy, yoa can always talk cv-
crybody knows said Aunt IIitly, who had
not been the least attentive listener Of this lit /
tie patriotic harransue, but you see the tea IS !
getting cold. and youdcr / see the sleigh is al
the door. and John has come, 50 let US set up
the chairs for supper"
The chairs were soon set up, Whrn j ohm, the |
eldest son, lad of about fifteen, entcrd with Il
letter. There was one general eXclamatioi,
and stretching ont of hands towards it. John
threw it into his mothers lap; the tea table
was forgotten, and the tea kettle sang unno-
tirrd by the fire, as all hands crowded about
mothers chair to bear the news. 1t was from
Captain Ward, then in the American Army at
Valley Forge.
Mrs. Ward ran over it hastily, and then
read it aloud. few words we may cX
tract:
There is siill,' It said, "much suffering. l
have given away every pair Of stockings you |
sent me, rescrviug. to myself only one; for |
will not be one whit better than the poorest |
suldier who fights for his country. Poor fel- |
lows. 1t makes my he 1T ache sometimes to
go round among them, and see them with worn |
clothes and thin shoes, and often bleeding feet, |
yet cheerful and hopeful. and every one willing /
TO do his very best OG:en the spirit of dis
courasement comes over them. particularly AT .
night, when weary, cold, and hungry, they turn
into their comfortcss hutS Oh the snowy ground.
Then sometimes there is thought Of home,
and warm fires, and some speak of giving up. /
But next morning ont comes Washing
general orders little short note. but lis Won
dcrrul the good it docs and they all resolve
to hold on, come what may. If they come 10 .
you, need not tell you what 10 do. | know |
all that will be in your hearts"
There, children, see what yoar father Sul- /
fers. said the mother, "and what il costs these
poor soldiers to gain our liberty"
"Ephriam Scranton told me that the com |
missioners had come as far as the Three Miles
Tavern, and that he rather 'Spectcd they'd be
along here Tonight" said John, as he was
helping round the baked beans to the silent
company al the tea table.
Tonight? DO tell now !. - said Aunt Hit /
ty. "Tben its time We were awake and stir
ring. Let's see what eau he got
I'll send my new overcoat for one said
John. THAT old one isn't cut up yet, is it
Aunt IIitty?"
NO, said Aunt IIitty, Il was laying it oqi
to cut over next Wednesday, when Desire
Smith could be here TO do the tailoring"
There's the South room," said Aunt Hit
ty, musing; that bed has the two old Aunt !!
Wards blankets on it, and the great blue quilt !
and two cemlortcrs. Then mothers and my
room, two pair-four comiorters-two quilts |
the best chamber has got"
oh, Aunt Ilitty, send all that's in the best
chamber If any company comes, we can
make it up from off our beds. said john. Il /
can send blanket Or two from off my bed l
know; can't but just turn oyer in it, there is
so many clothes on now"
Aunt Ililty, take Blanket eff from our
bed" said Grace and Dick at once.
Well well, we'll see, said Aunt Hitty,
bustling MP.
Up rose grandma, with great carnesincss, |
now, and going to the next room, aud opening
large ccdar-wood chest returned bearing in
her arms two large, snow-whilc blankets, which
she deposited fat on the table, just as Aunt
Hitty was whisking Off the tablc-cloth.
Mortal! Mother, what are you going to
do?' said Aunt Hitty.
There" said she, Il spun those-cvcry
thread Of EN- when my name was Mary lfv-
ans. ! hose were my wedding b!ankets-made
OF rea! nice wool, and worked with roses in
all the corners. I've got them TO give" and
the old lady stroked and smoothed the blan
kets, and patted them down with great pride
and Tenderness. 1t was evident size was giy-
ing something that lay very near her heart
but she never ialteTcd.
la! Mother, there's no need of that said
Aunt Hitty. Use them on your bed, and
send the blankets off from that they gre just
rs good for soldiers"
No shan't," said the old lady, waxing
warm; 'tisn't bit too good for cm. I'll send
the very best I've got before they shall suffer.
Send EN- the best and the old lady gestured
oratorically,
They were interrupted by rap at the door,
and two men entered, and announced them
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