The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-02-20


room. and opening large cedar wood
chest, returned, bearing in her arms
two. snow white blankets, which she
deposited fat on the table. just as Aunt
Hittv was whisking off the table cloth.
Mortal mother, what are you go
ing to do p said Aunt Kitty.
There" said she, | spun those
every thread Of 'em, when my name
was Mary Evans. Those were my
wedding blankets-made of real nice
wool, and worked with roses in all the
corners. I've got them to give ~ and
the old lady stroked and smoothed the
blankets, aud patted them down with
great pride and tenderness. 1t was
evident she was giving something that
lay very near her heart; but she never
taltered.
LA! mother, there's no need of
that" said Aunt Kitty. " Use them
on your bed, and send them off from
that; they are just as good for soldiers.
"No, sha'nt - said the old lady
waxing warm /" 'tisn't bit too good
for 'em, III send the very best I've
got before they shall suffer. Send EN-
the very best y and the old lady ges-
tured oratorically.
They were interrupted by rap at
the door, and two men entered, and
announced themselves as commission
ed by Congress to search out sup
plies for the army. Now the plot
thickens. Aunt Hitty flew in all di-
rections-tErough entry passage, meal
room, milk room, down cellar,up cham
ber-her cap border on end with pats
riotic zealand followed by John,
Dick and Grace, who bore eagerly to
the kitchen the supplies she turned
out, while Mary Ward busted herself
i'm quietly sorting and arranging III
the best possible travelling order, the
various contributions that were launch<
ed on the kitchen floor
Aunt Hitty soon appeared in the
kitchen with an armful Of stockings
which, kneeling on the floor she began
counting and laying out.
{: There" she SAID, laying down a
large bundle on some blankets, "That
leaves just two pair apiece all around. '
LA" said John, what's the use of
saving two pair for me? J can do
with one pair as well as father"
{" Sure enough" said his mother !;
besides can knit you pair in day"
"And l can do with one pair" said
Dick.
Yours will be too small, young
master, l guess said one Of the cons
missioners.
"No," said Dick, L" I've pretty
good foot Of my own, and Aunt Hitty
will always knit my stockings an inch
TOO long, cause she says | grow so.
See here-these will do;" and the boy
shook his head triumphantly.
Aud mine too" said Grace, moths
ing doubling, having been busy all the
time in pulling off her little stockings.
Here" she said to the man who
was packing the wide~mouthed sack !;
"here'8 mine" and her large blue eyes
looked earnestly through her tears.
Aunt Hitty flew at her. Goodness,
the CHI ild's crazy. Don't think the men
could wear your stockings-take EN-
away ~
Grace looked aroud with an air OF
utter desoatioa and began to cry. ''Id
rather 90 bare footed on the snow all
day than not,send 'em anything"
" Give me thy stockings my child"
said the old soldier "There, I'll take
'em and show 'em to the soldiers, and
tell them what the little girl said that
sent them And it will do them as
much good as it they could wear them.
They've got little girls at home too"
Grace fell on her mothers bosom com
pletely happy, and Aunt Hitty only
mutterad:
Everybody does spite that child
and no wonder neither"
Soon the old sleigh drove off from
the brown house, quickly packed and
heavily loaded. And Grace and Dick
were creeping up to their little beds.
"There's been something put on to
the altar of Liberty to night, hasn't
there, Dick -
eyes, indeed" said Dick and look
ing up to his mother, he said," But,
mother, what did you give?'
l." said the mother musingly.
Yes, you, mother, what did you
give for the country"
"All that / have, dears," she said,
laying her hands gently on their heads
=" My husband and my Children,