, 1862-05-08
The Ragged Soldier.

lorn.lOoking soldier coming up the dusty street.
He looked about on the corn-helds tasseling for
the harvest on the rich, bright patches Of wheat
ready for the sickle, and on the green potato
fields with curious eves--so at least thought Mr..
TOwne, who was walking leisurely behind him,
going home from the reaping to his supper.
The latter was stout farmer, dressed in home
vest or coat The ragged soldier stopped under
the shade Of q great sugar maple, and Mr.. TOwne
o, ,ertaking him, stopped also.
"IIome from the warf he asked.
"Just out Of the British clutches, replied the
man. "Tve been Q prisoner for years." He
rejoined suddenly, "Can you tell me who lives
in the next houseP Is Il yoursi"
"No," replied Mr.. Towne. "Tompkins lives
there. That house and farm used to belong 10
Jones, but he was shot at Bunker Hill and bis
widow married again"
The soldier leaned against the tree. "What
kind Of q man Is her Would they be likely 10
let poor soldier have something to eati"
"If Tompkins Is out you'd be treated first rate
there. Mrs. Tompkins Is nice woman, but he
is the meanest cur that ever gnawed . bone.
dogs life. She missed Il marrying the fellow I
but she had hard time Of Il with the farm after
Jones went of soldering, and when my son
came back and said he was dead-hc saw him
bleeding to death on the battle feld-she broke
right down, and this Tompkins came along and
got into work for her, and be laid himself out to
do first 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 I'm sorry did It.
You had better come home with me; always
have q bite for any poor fellow who has fought
for bis country"
"Thank you kindly" returned the soldier,
"but Mrs TompkinS Is disiant-a sort Of old
acquaintance. The Eact Is, used to know her
first husband, and guess IN call there"
Mr.. TOwne watched him as he went up to the
door and knocked, and saw that be was admitted
BY Mrs. TomPkins.
"Some old sweetheart Of hers, maybe" said
Mr.. Towne, nodding to himself "He comes too
late; poor woman, she has hard row to hoe
now" Then Mr.. Towne went home to his sup
per, and we will 90 in with the soldier.
"Could you give poor soldier . nlouthful to
eati" he asked Of the pale, nervous woman who
opened the door.
any husband does not allow me 10 give any.
thing to Travellers" she said, but always feel
for the soldiers coming back, and III give you
some supper II you won't be long eating Il, }" and
she wiped her eyes with her white and blue
checked apron, and set with alacrity about pro.
vidng refreshments for the poor man, who had
thrown himself In the nearest chair, and with
his head leaning on bis breast, seemed too tired
even to remove his hat from his face.
"Iam glad to have you cot, and wouldn't hurry
you for anything" said she, in frightened way |;
"but you will eat quick, won't you, for expect
every minute be viii be in."
The man drew his chair TO the table, keeping
his hat on his head as though he belonged to the
Society Of Friends but that could not be, for
the Friends" do not 90 to the wars. He ate
heartily Of the bread and cold meat, and how
long he was about III
Mrs. TOmpkins fdgeted. "Dear me-" she said
to herself, iif be only knew, he wouldn't be 90
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 . close.
bage and potatoes. Ican't ask him to take those
potatoes away in his hand. Oh, dear, how slow
he isl Hasn't the man any teethi" At last
she said mildly, 81 am sorry for you, sir but
couldn't you let me spread some bread and but.
ter and cut piece Of meat to take away with
your Ny husband will use abusive language to
you il he finds you here.
Before the soldier could reply, footsteps were
heard on the door stone at the back door, and
Tompkins entered. He stopped short, and looked
ct the soldier as strange dog might look. Then
ho broke out in tone between . growl and Q
roar,
"Hsy.day, Molly, pretty piece Of busiuessl
What have told you time and again, madamH
And you, you lazy, thieving vagAbOnd, let me
see you clear out Of my house and of my land
a good deal quicker than you come on the pre-
mises"
~ Your hOusei and your hndI" exclaimed
the soldier, starting suddenly up, erect and tall,
and dashing of bis hat with quick, 6eFy ges-
ture His eyes flashed like lightning, and bis
lips quivered with indignation as he confronted
the AstOnished Tompkins. The latter was evil
IDENTIFY afraid Of him, and his wife had given .
sudden nervous shrek when the soldier first
started 10 his feet and flung of his hat, and had
sunk trembling and half hinting into . chair,
for she recognized him.
"You haint any business to interfere between
me and my wife" !" said Tompkins sullenly, cowed
by the attitude Of the soldier
I" Your wife |" exclaimed the soldier, with the
concentration Of contempt expressed In his voice,
and pointing to him with an indignant finger.
"Who are your" asked ThOmpkins, with an
air Of effroutery.
"I am HAIRY Jones, since you ask" replied
TIT soldier, " the owner Of this house and this
land, which you will leave this very hour. As
for Molly" sOlening his tone as be turned to the
woman, now sObbiRg hysterically' "shs shall
"Oh Harry!" sobbed she, WflS Tompkins
stood dumb with astonishinent, q take meAsaVe
mel"
With one step be was at her ddei holding her
In his arms
"What did you mean, treating this poor child
soI Did you think because she had no earthly
protector, that there was NOT . God in heaven to
take her part against youf"
No ttRfi who Is 20 cruel 10 woman b evef
truly brave, and TOmpkiHs aunk away like
beaten spaniel
The nett day had not passed aWay before
everybody In the town knew that Harry Jones
had come home alive and vel 70 FSseoo bis