The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1862-05-08
THE ALTAR OF LIBERTY.
BY MRS. HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.

Dick sprany, and lie had the table out
IN trlce, with abundant clatter, aud put
UP the leaves with quite an air His
mother, with the silent aud gliding mo
tlon characteristic Of her, quietly took
out the cloth and spread it, and began to
set the cups and saucrrs in order, and to
put on the plates aud knives, while Aun,
llitty hustled about the tea.
"Tll be glad when the war is over, for
one reason" said she "In, pretty much
tired OF drinking sage tea, for one, |
know
Well, Aunt lIitty, how you scolded
that pedlar las. week, that brought along
the real tea -
ITO be snrc | did. Suppose I'd be
taking any Of his old tea, bought Of the
British? I'd fling every tea cup in his
fac first
"Well. MOTHER" said Dick, ~ never
exactly understood what it was about the
tea, and why the Bostoa FOLKS threw it
overheard.
" Because there was an unlawful laid
tax upon it that the government had no
right to lay. 1t wasn't much in itself !;
but it was a part Of a whole system Of
oppressive meanness, des' signed to take
away our rights, and make us slaves of q
foreign power.
"Slavcs" said Dick. Strengthening
himself up proudly; "fa:hcr slave :"
But they would no. be slaves. They
saw clearly where it would all end, and
they would not begin to submit to it in
ever so it,le," said the mother.
81 wouldn't if was they said Dick.
Besides, SAID his mother, drawing
him towards her, sit wasn't for them
selves alone they did it. This is great
country, and it will be greater and great.
er; and its very important 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 the light Of the
world-a city set on hill that cannot
be hid; and all the oppressed and dis
tressed from other countries shall come
here to enjoy equal rights and freedom.
This, dear boy, is why your fatncr and
uncle have gone to fight, though God
knows what they suffer, and and the
large blue eyes Of tho mother were full
Of tears yet a strong, bright beam of
pride and exultatiou shone through those
tears.
"Well, well, Roxy, you can always
talk every body knows" said Aunt Hitty,
who had not been tho least attentive lis
tener of this little patriotic harrangue;
"but you see the tea is getting cold, and
wonder see the sleigh is at the door, and
Johns come; so let's set up our chairs
for supper
The chairs were soon set up, when
John, the oldest son, a lad of about ff-
teen, entered with letter. There was
one general exclamation, and stretching
out Of hands toward it. John threw it
into his mothers lap; tho tea-table was
forgotten, and the tca.kcttle sang unno-
ticed by the FIRE as all hands crowded
about mothers chair to hear the news.
1t was from Captain Ward, then in the
American army at Valley Forge. Mrs:
Ward ran it over hastily, and then read
it aloud. A few words We may extract ::
"There is STILL" it said, "much suffer.
ing. Ihave given away every pair Of
stockings you sent me, reserving to my
self only one for l will not BE- one whit
better of than the poorest soldier that
fights for his country. Poor fellows! it
makes my heart ache sometimes to 80
round among them, and see them with
worn clothes and torn shoes, and often
bleeding feet, yet cheerful and hopeful,
and every one iling to do his very best.
Often the spirit Of discouragement comes
over them, particularly at night, when
weary, cold, and hungry, they turn into
their comfortless huts on tho snowy
ground. Then, sometimes, there is a
thought Of homo, and warm fires, and
some speak of giving up, but the next
morning out come Washington's general
orders-littls short note, but it's wonder.
full the good it does and then they oil
resolve to hold on, como what may.
There arc commissioners going all
through the country to pick up supplies.
- . ), vou I need not toll you