The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-11

people are they 'u0ie ;, 49, \,
" to let poor soldier have something TO eau
d" If Tomkpins is out you'd be treated hfs'
rate there. Mrs. Tompkins is nice woman
h,t he is the snarliest cur that ever gna"ea
;. hone. He is a terrible sur y neighbour ana
he leads her dogs life She missed 1t mar,
rving that fellow, but you see she had a nara
time of it with the farm after Jones went OH
soldering, and when my sou came back anu
said he was dead, he saw him bleeding toueat
on the battle feld-she broke right down.
and this Tompkins came along and got In to
work for her, and he laid himself out to 90
irst.rate. He somehow got on the blind side
Of all of us, and when he offered himself to
her I advised her to have him, and am sor-
w I did it. You had better come home With
me- always have bite for any poor fel"
low that's foug ht for his country"
"Thank you kindly" returned the sold'ss,
but Mis- Tompkins is distant-a sort OF
old acquaintance. The fact is | used to know
her first husband, and guess l will call there"
Mr.. Towne watched him, as he went TO the
door and knocked, and saw that he was ad'
mitted by Mrs. Tonpkns. -,
Mr.. Towne, nodding to himself. lie comes
too late poor woman, she has hard row to
hoe now. Then Mr.. Towne went home to
supper, and we will 60 In with the soldier.
"Could you give poor soldier mouth
full to eat?' he asked Of the pale and nervous
woman who opened the door.
INV husband does not allow me to give
CHI IS h,1k oil
WAYS feel for the soldiers coming back, and
III give you some supper, if you won't be
long eating it, and she wiped Der eyes with
her white and blue checked apron, and set
with alacrty about providing refreshments for
the poor man, who had thrown himself in the
nearest chair, and, with his head leaning on
hiss breast. seemed too tired even to remove
his hat from his face.
lin glad to have YOU cat, and wouldn't
hurry you for anything she said, in fright
ened way but you eat quick, won you? for
| expect every moment he will be in
The man drew his chair to the table, keep
ing his hat ON his head, as thong he belong.
ed to the society Of Friends, bu. that could
not be, for the Friends" do not 20 to war.
He ate heartily Of the bread and butter and
cold meat, and how long he was about it
Mrs. Tompkins 6dgeted. Dear me, she
said to herself, " If he only knew, he wouldn't
be so cruel as to let Tompkins come in and
catch him here She went and looked
from the window uneasily; but the soldier
gave no token Of his meal coming to an end
" Now he is pouring vinegar on the cold cab.
bage and potatoes. [ cant ask him to take
those away in his hand. o dear, how slow
he is hasn't the man any teeth AT last she
said, mildly" am very sorry to hurry you
sill, but couldn't you let me spread some bread
and butter. and cut some slices of meat tt
take away with you. My husband will us'
.. abusive language to you If he finds you here
Before the soldier could reply, footsteps
, were heard on the door stone at the bacl
door, and man entered. He stopped short
r and looked at the. soldier as savage do,
might look. Then he broke out 10 ton
between savage growl and a roar.
Hey.day, Molly, pretty piece OF bust
o ness What have | told YOU time and again
o madam? You'll find you had better mine
Q your master. And you, you lazy, thicvin
y vagabond, let me sec you clear out Of IN
. house and off my land good deal quicke
n than you came on the premises ~
Your house and your land! !" exclaim
r ed the soldier starting suddenly up, lcct an
tall, and dashing off his hat with quick, ft
n ry gesture. His eyes flashed like lightning
aud his lips quivered with Indignation as b
q confronted the astonishcd Tompkins. I'll
- latter was afraid Of him, aud his wife ha
'' given sudden shrek when the soldier fir
: started to his feet and flung off his hat, an
y had sunk trembling and half fanting. in
J. chair, for she recognized hin.
l. You haint' any business to interfere b
4 tween me and my wife," said Tompkin
sulkily, cowcd by the attitude of the soldier
J; Your wife :" exclaimed the soldier, wi,
the very concentration OF contempt exprcsss
IN his voice, and pointing to him with an il
dignant finger.
WHO are you g asked Tompkins wi
an air of etfrontery.
lf =" I'm Harry Jones, since you asked, rep
IL ed the soldier, {" the owner Of this house a,
IL this land, which you will leave this very hot
y AS for Molly" soficniug his tone as he FUR
Us ed to tho woman now sobbing hystcricall
ot she shall choose between u.s.
nc 20 Harry" sobbcd she, while Tompki
~ stood dumb with establishment, take II
K save me !"
10 With one step he was ut her side, hodi