M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1862-01-23
1T
THE ALTAR OF LIBERTY.
BY Mzs. STOWE.

HHU put up lle lCaNeS Win QUllC hu
air. His mother, with the silent and
gliding mo; On characteristic Of her;
quietly took ont the table cloth aid
spread it, and began to set the cups
and saucers in order, and 10 put ou
the plates and kuives, while Aunt
HittY busted about the tea.
Ill be glad wien the wars over,
for one reason, said she, "l'm pretty
much tired OF drinking sage Tea, tor
one, know"
swell, Aunt Hitty, how You scold'
ed that pcdler last week, that brought
along that real teal"
ITO be sure did, Suppose I'd be
taking any OF his old tea, bought oi
the Brihsbl-fing every tea cup in
hiI face first"
We'll mother, said Dick, 81 never
exactly understood what it was about
the tea, ard why the Boston lolks
threw it all overheard"
Because there was An unlawful tax
laid upon it that the Government had
no right to lay. 1t wasn't much in
itselt; but it was a part Of u whole
system Of oppressive meannesS, de.
signed to take away our rights, and
make us slaves OF a foreign power"
"Slavesl" said Dick, strengthening
himself proudly. "Fathcr slave
"Bnt they would not be slaVes!-
They saw clearly where it would all
end, aud they would not begin to sub.
NIT to it in ever SO little, said the
mother.
81 wouldn't If l was they" said
Dick.
Besides" said his mother draw.
ing him towards her" it wasn't for
themsel YES alone they did it. This
isA great country, and it will be
greater aud greater; and it's very i'm
portant that it should have free and
equal law, because it will by and by
be 80 great. This country, ifitis q
free one, will 'oe light Of the world
a city set on a hill, that cannot be
hid; and al! the oppressed aud distIes,
sed from other countries 0hall come
here to enjoy equal rights and free
dom, This dear boy is why your
father and uncles have gone to fight,
and why they do stay and fight
though God knows what they suffer,
and --"and the large blue eyes Of
tue mother were full of tears; yet a
strong. bright beam OF pride and ex.
ultation shone through those tears.
"Well, well, Roxy, you can always
talk, everybody knows" said Aunt
Hitty, who had been not the least at.
tsntivs listener Of this little patriotic
barangue: but you see the tea is git
ting cold, and yondsr | see the sleigh
is at the door, and Johns come; SO
let's set up our chairs for snpper."
The chairs were socu set up, when
John, the eldest son, lad Of about
fifteen, entered with Il letter. There
was one general exclamation, and
stretching out OF hands towards it
John threw it into bis mother s lap
the tea tablewas forgotten, and the
tea kettle sang unnoticed by the fire,
az all hands crowded about mothers
chair to hear the news. 1t was from
Capt. Ward, then in the American
army, at Valley Forge. Mrs. Ward
rah it over hastily, and then read it
aloud A few words we extract:
"Thsre is STILL" it said, "much suf-
fering. | have given away every
pair OF stockings you Ient me, reserv
ing to myself only one, for | will not
be one whit better off than the poor
est soldier that fights for his country
Poor iellows! it makes my hear
ache sometimes to 90 round among
them, aud ase them with worn cloth
ca and torn shoes, and often bleeding
feet, yet cheerful and hopeful, ant
every one willing to do his very best
Often the split Of discouragpmen'
comes over them particularly at nigh
when weary, cold and hungry, the
turn into their cUmfortless huts. o.
toe snowy ground. Then sometime
there is thought Of home, and wsrr
fires. and some q eak Of giving up
but next morning out come Washing
toms general olders--li;tle short not
but it's wonderful tho good 1t does
and they all resolve to hold on, com
what may. There are commissioner
going all through the country to pic
up supplies. If they come to you.
need Lot tell you what to DO kno'
all that will be in your hearts"
There, children, see what yor
father suffers" said the mother" sn
what it coOts these poor soldiers
gain our liberty"
"Ephraim Scranton tod methat ii
5 com missiDners had come as far as III
Three Mile Tavern, and that he ratl
er 'spected they'd be along here I
nj ght," said John, ss he was helpin
round the baked beans to the silel
company at the tea table.
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