Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1862-01-08
THE RAGGED SOLDIER,
4 TRUE STORY OF THE EEYO-
EETEOE.

=
there was seen somwheTe in one Of the small
towns central Massachusetts,, 4 ragged aG3
forlorn looking soldier coming Up the dusty
street. He looked around on the corn-iill5
tasseling for the harvest, on the rich bright
patches Of wheat FOR the sicie, and on tbe
green potato field, with curious eyes-so AZ
least thought Mr. Towne, who was walking
leisurely behind him, going hone from the
reaping TO his supper. The latter was q
stout farmer. dressed in home made brown
Ener trousers, without saspenders, vest or
coat. The ragged soldier stopped under the
shade of 4 great sugar maple, and Mr. Towne
overtaking him stopped also.
Hon from the wars 2 he asked.
just out Of the British cultches,' replied
the man. I'vo been a prisoner for years
he rejoined suddenly. Can you tell me who
lives in the next house ? are yo2 the owner
ofitP
Mo- replied Towne. Tompkins lives
:hcre. IT, house and farm used to belong
to = cnn.raGe Of yours, as I suppose; his
anne wa jones, but he was shot at Bun
ker Hill, and his widow married again.
TIE s1-I . or leaned against a tree, 1yha t
kind # man is lie? mean what kind Of
people are they there Would they be like
Iy 10 Ict a poor man have something to
eas2
If Tompzins IS out you'd he tre1 .eI G-zt
rate there. Ms Tomplsins Is q nice woman
bu: he Is the surlcst eur that ever gnawed
/ bone. lie is a terribly surly neighoot. and
he leads her % dogs life. She missed :. mar
yying the isl. .ov, but You see she had hard
.ime oft with The Iaru. Jones went OF
] soliicr;1g aud when my son cams h7ek lie
/ said lie yas Geat-ae saw him Uicellug t.
death on the battl, feid-shc broke rigl:
/ down. and this TomVl,ins came along au5
I got into work for Ler, and lie laid himself
/ out to do first rate. lie some how got on
/ the blind side cf us. and when lie offered
( himself to her, ! advised her to take L:m.
/ and am sorry did l.. You had better
come home with me. l always have bite
/ for a poor fellow that has fought for his
I country
Thank you.' kindly returned the soldier,
/ but Mrs. Tompkins Is q distant sort Of
old acquaintance. The fact is. I used to
+ know her ti-s: husband, aud I guess I viii
call there
| 1Ir. Towne watched hIr. rs he went mp
[ TO the door and knocked and saw tLat IL
! was admitted 10y 3hs Tomphins-
| Some old sweetheart Of hers. may be-
J said 1Ir Tovue. roddiug 70 him-a,i-' He
comes too late; poor woman. she has a hard
/ road to hoe n5v.' Then Mr. Towue went
down home to supper and we will 50 in with
. the soldier.
Could you give & poor soldier mouths
fuf to cat 2 ne asked of the pale, ueE, 7rs
woman who opened the door
Ny husband does not allow me to give
/ anything to Travellers she said in fright
! eued way. but I always feel lor soldiers
coming back, anl III give y9u some supper
+ :, you don't be long eating it, AMI sic w PED
( her eyes with her white ard blue checked
/ apron. and set with alaerity about p-ovii-
. ing Refreshments lur the ro-- m~u, VINO had
. thrown himself in the nearest chair, and
/ with his head leaning on his breast, seemed
too tired even to remove his hat from Lis
face.
! am glad to have you eat, and would
not hurry you up SO for anything sic said
but von will eat quick, wont you? for
/ expect every moment he VIII be here
The man drew his chair to the table, keep
( ing his hat on his head rs thoulL he belong
ell to the society Of Friends but that could
+ not be, for the Friends 90 not 90 to tie
wars. T. ate heartily Of the bread and but
ter and cold mat and Low long be was
about 1t
Mrs Tompkins figetel. Dear me- Size
said to herself, If he only knew, he w0uid't
be so cruel as to let Tompkins come and
catch him here She .seai an locked from
the window uneasiIy Int The s5,5'ar sav,
10 token Of his meal comirgto an end. Now
he is pouring vinegao in the cold cabhaE-
and potatoes. | lcan't ask him to take tlos
away IN bis hand. Oh. dear. how slow h'
Is hasn't he any teeth ? At last she saiC
mildly / am very sorry t. hurry you. SIT
out couldn't yo1 let ne spread some brea'
an butter. and cut You some slices OF lno0