Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-05-07
THE RAGGED SOLDIER.
A TRUE STORY OF THE REVOLUTION

Ike hhCGEO oOLD1Eh
TRUE STORY OF THE REVOLUTION
Just at the close of the Revolutionary war
there was seen somewhere in one of the small
towns OF central Massachusetts, a ragged and
forlorn looking soldier coming up the dusty
street. He looked about on the corn. fields
tasseling for the harvest, on the rich. bright
patches OF wheat for the sickle, and on the
green potatoe field, with curious eyes,-so at
least thought Mr. Towue, who was walking
leisurely behind him, going home from the
reaping to his supper. The latter was stout
farmer, dressed in homemade brown linnen
trowscrs, without Suspenders. vest or coat.
The ragged soldier stopped under the shade of
great sugar maple, and Mr.. Towne overtak-
him, stopped also
'EHome from the wars % he ask ed
''Just out OF the British clutches 20 replied
the man. 81 have been prisoner for years
He rejoned suddenly, s.Can you tell me who
lives in the next house Is it yours ~
"No," replied Towne, 'Tompkins lives
there. That house and farm used to belong
to comradc Of yours, | suppose his name
was Jones, but he was shot at Bunker ii ill 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 -
ali IOmpkins is ont, yOu' d be treated first
rate there. Mrs. TOmpkins is nice woman,
but he is the snarlest cur that ever gnawed
bone. He is a terrible surley neighbor, and
he leads her dogs life. She missed it mar
rying the fellow, but you see she had a hard
time of 1t with the farm. Jones went off sol
deTing, and when my son came back and said
he was dead-he saw him pleading to death on
the battle -held-she broke right down, and
this Iompkins came along and got into work
for her, and he laid himself out to do first-rate
lie somehow got on the blind side of all of us,
and when he offered himself to her, advised
her to have him, and am sorry did it, You
had better come home with me. | always have
a bite for any poor fellow that's fought for
his country
"Thank you,'' kindly returned the soldier,
''but Mrs. Tompkins is dstant-a sort OF old
acquaintance. The fact is, used to know
her first husband, and guess | VIII call there''
Mr.. Townn watched him as he went up to the |
door and knocked, aud saw that he admit |
cd by Mrs. Tompkins
"SOme old sweetheart of hers, may be-" |
said Mr. TOwne, nodding to himself. 'sHe |
comes too late poor woman she has hard |
row 10 hoe now" Then Mr.. Towne went
home TO supper and we will go in with the |
soldier.
"Could you give a poor soldier moutbful |
10 eat 20 he asked OF the pale, nervous woman
who opened the door.
''My husband does not How me to give any
hing to Travellers she said, ssbut [ always |
eel for the soldiers coming back, and I'll give
'ou some supper II you won't be long eating |
t, ,"and she wiped her eyes with her white and |
blue checked apron and set with alacrty
bout providing refreshments for the poor
nan, who had thrown himself in the nearest
,hair, and with his head leaning on his breast,
eemed too tired even to remove his hat from
lis face.
81 ann glad to have you eat, and | would not
lnrry you up for anything," she said in
frightened way, "but you Wu eat quick,
Won't you for | expect every moment he will
e in ~
The man drew hrs chair to the table, keep
ng his hat on his head as though he belonged
o the society Of Friends, but that could not
e, for tho "Friends" do not go to the wars.
lie ate heartily of the bread aud butter and
,old meat, a1d how long he was about it
Mrs Tompkins fdgeted "Dear me" she
aid TO herself, .if he only knew, he wouldn't
e SO cruel as to let Tompkins come in and
atch him here" She went and looked from
he window uneasly but the soldier gave no
oxen of his meal coming to an end "Now
10 is pouring vinegar on the cold cabbage and
otatoes. | can't ask him to take those away
n his hand. oh dear, how slow he is hasn't
he man any teeth" At last she said mildly,
4 am very sorry to hurry you, sir, but could
ou not let me spread some bread and butter,
nd cut you some slices Of meat to take away
nth you. MY husband will use abusive Ian
uage to you II he finds you bere.'
Before the soldier could reply, footsteps
'crc heard on the door stone at the back door
nd a man entered. He stopped short, and
Doked nt the soldier as savage dog might
)ok Then he broke out in a tone between IL
rowl and roar.
"Hey y-day, Molly, pretty piece Of business
hat havo litold you time and again, madam 7
'ou'l find you bad better mind your master.
nd you, you lazy, thieying vagabond, let mo
20 you clear out of my house and off of my
md good deal quicker than you came on
10, premises ~
.iYoar house and your land 10 excamed
10 soldier, starting suddenly up, erect and
III, and dashng of his hat with quick, fiery
estnre. His eyes flashed like lightening,a and
is lips quivered with indignation as he con
onted the astonished Tompkins. The latter
as afraid OF him, aud bis wife had given ,
ldden, nervous shrek when the soldier hrst |
arted TO his feet and flung off his hat, and
I'd sunk trembling and hali-faiDting in chair {
r she recognized him.
"You hain't any business to interfere be-
'een me and my wife," said Tompk ins, sulk- !
y cowed by the attitude of the soldier.
3" Your wife 80 exclaimed the soldier. with