Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-02-27

IL was evident sne was giving something
that lay very near her heart, but she never
faltered.
La Mother, there's no need Of that said
Aunt Hitty. Use them on your bed, and
send the blankets off from that they are Just
as good for soldiers
No, shan't,' 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 'em the best 7 aud the old lady
gestured oratorically.
They were interrupted by rap at the door
and two men entered and announced themselves
as being commissioned by Congress to search
out supplies for the army. The plot thickens
Aunt Hitty flew in every direction-through
entry passage, mealroom, milk-room, down
cellar, up chamber-her cap border on with
patriotic zeal-and followed by John. Dick,
and Grace, who eagerly bore to the kitchen
the supplies she turned out, while Mrs Ward
busted herself in quietly sorting and arranging
in the best travelling order the various contri
buttons that were precipitately launched on
the kitchen floor.
Aunt Hitty soon appeared in the kitchen
with an armful ofstockngs, which kneeling on
the floor, she began counting and laying
out.
"There," said she, laying down large bun
die on some blankets, " that leaves Just two
pair piece all around"
La" said John, what's the use of saw
ing two pair for me ? | can do with one pair
as we'll as father"
Sure enough" said his mother Besides
can knit you pair in day"
" And | can do with one pair" said Dick.
" Yours will be too small, young master, I
guess" said one Of the commissioners.
No. said Dick, | have got pretty
good foot of my own, and Aunt Htty will al.
ways knit my stockings an inch too long, cause
she says grow so. See here-these win do,
and the boy shook his head triumphantIy.
And mine, too said Grace, nothing doubt,
ing, having been busy all the time in pulling
off her little stockings.
Here she said to the man who was pack
ing the things into q vide mouthed sack =
here's mine ? and her large blue eyes looked
earnestly through her tears.
Aunt Hitty few at her
Good gracious The chids crazy. Don't
think the men could wear your stockings
take 'em right away
Grace looked around with an air of utter
desolaton and began to cry
want to give something, said she. I'd
rather go bGrefoo.ed on the snow all day
than not send them anything
Give me thy stocking, my child said the
old soldier There I'll tax 'em and show em
to the soldiers and tell 'em what the little girl
said that sent them. And it will do them as
much good as if they could wear them. They
have got little girls ct home, too.
Grace fell on her mothers bosom complete
Iy happy, and Aunt Hitty only muttered
Everybody does spile that child, and
no wonder neither
Soon the old sleigh drove off from the brown
house, tightly packed and heavily loaded
Aud Grace and Dick were creeping up to
their little beds.
There's been something put upon the Al
tar of Liberty tonight, hasn't there, Dick g
Yes, indeed said Dick and, looking up
ohis mother, he said, But, mother, what did
you giEe?'
? said the mother, uusngly
Yes, you, mother what did you give to
the country?
All that have dears,' she said, laying her
hands gently on their heads my husband
aud children