Litchfield enquirer., 1862-01-30
A TRUE STORY or THE REvoLUr1o,

4 TRUE STORY or THE REVOLUTION
 Just ct the close of the Revolutionary war there was seen in one of the small towns of cen tral Nassachusetts. . ragged, ,forlorn.looking sol dier coming up the dusty street. He looked about on the eornfelds tasseling for the harvest on the rich, bright patches of wheat. ready fo the sickls, and on the green potato fields. witf curious eyes-so ai least thought Ar. TowRe who was walking leisurely behind him. going from the reaping to his supper. The latter was . stout farmer, dressed in homemade brown linen trowers, without suspenders, vest or coat The ragged soldier stopped under the shade of 6 great sugar maple, and Mir. Towne overtaklne him. stopped also.
 Home from the war ? he asked.
 Just out of the British clutches replied the man /; I've been prisoner for years He :e joined suddenly, can you tell me who lives ID the next house? Is it yours?
 | 'No, replied Mir. Towne, 'Tompkins lives there. That house and farm used to belong to a comrade of yours, as suppose his nams was Jones, but he was shot at Bunker Hill, and his widow married again.
 The soldier leaned against the tree. 'Wha' kind of man is he? I meant what kind of peo pie are they there? Would they be likely te let poor soldier have something to eat?
 If Tompkins is out, you'd be treated irst-rate there. Mrs. Tompkins is nice woman. but he is the snarlest cur that ever knawed bone He is terrible surly neighbor, and he leads her dogs life. She missed it marrying the fellow but you see she had hard time of it wth the farm after Jones went off soldering, and when my son came back and said he was dead--he saw him bleeding to death on the battle field she broke right down, and this Tompkins came along and got into work for her. and he laid him. self out to do frst-rate. He somehow got on the blind side of all of us. and when he offered him. self to her, I advised her to have him, and I'm sorry did it. You had better come with me. l always have bite for any poor fellow that's fought for his country"
 Thank you kindly, returned the soldier, but quaintance. The fact is used to know her first husband, and I guess will call there. 1 Mir. Towne watched him as he went up to the door and knocked, and saw that he was admitted by Mrs. Tompkins.
 1 Some old sweetheart of hers, may be- said Mr. Towne, holding to himself He comes too late poor woman, she has a hard TOW to hoe now.' Then Mir. Towne went home to his sup per, and we will go in with the soldier. 1 Can you give poor soldier mouthfal to eat !? he asked of the pale, nervous woman who opened the door. 1 My husband does not allow me to give any thing to travellers she said, but I always feel for the soldiers coming back, and I'll give you she wiped her eyes with her white and blue checked apron, and set with alacrity about pro- viding refreshments for the poor man, who had thrown himself into the nearest chair, and with his head leaning on his breast, seemed too tired even to remove his hat from his face. am glad to have you eat, and wouldn't hurry you for anything she said in frightened way, but you s0iA eat quick, won't you? for l expect every minute he will 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 go to the war. He ate heart fly ot the bread and butter and cold meat, and how long he was about it!
 Mrs. Tompkins fdgetted. 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 un- easily but the soldier gave no token of his meal coming to an end. Now he is pouring vinegar on the cold cabbage and potatoes. I can't ask him to take those away in his hand. Oh dear, how slow he IS, hasn't the man any teeth?' At last she said mildly, I am very sorry to hurry you, sir, but couldn't you let me spread some bread and butter, and cut you some slices of meat to take away with you? My husband will use
  Before the soldier could reply, footsteps were heard on the doorstone at the back door, and 6 nan entered. He stopped short and looked at ths soldier asa savage ora dog u,ighslook. Then hs broke ont in . tane between . growl and . troas:
 Hey dey, Molly, pretty piece of businsss !; what have I told you time and again, madam f- You'n fad you had better mind your master. And you, yoa lazy, shieving vagabond, let me see lyou clear out of my house and of of my land . good deal quicker than you came on my prem fs@s Eom housel r and your landr exclaimed the dashing of his hat with quick, fiery gesture,- His eyes flashed like lightning, and his lips quiv- cred with indignation as he confronted the aston ished Tompkins. The latter wasevidently afraid of him and his wife had given . sudden, nervous shriek when the soldier first started to his feet and flung of his hat, and had sunk trembling and half fainting in the chair, for she recognized him.
 1 sYou hain't any business to intcrfer between ms and my wife, said Tompkins, sulkily, cowed by the attitude of the soldier.
 1 Four wife exclaimed the soldier, with the very concentration of contempt expressed in his voice, and pointing to him with an indignant tin- tgcr.
 Who are you?' asked Tompkins, with an air of effrontery.
 I am Harry Jones, since you ask,' replied the soldier, 'the owner of Mis house and ttis kad which you will leave this very hour! As for Molly turning to the woman now sobbing hy- sterically. she shall choose between us.' % Harry sobbed she, while Tompkins stood dumb with astonishment, take me, save me. I With one step be was at her side, holding her in his arms. sWhat did you mean treating this poor child so? Did you think because she had n earthly protector that there was not God ln Heaven to take her part against you!' i No man who is cruel to a woman is ever truly brave, and Tompkins slunk away like a beaten spaniel.
 The next day had not passed away before eve rybody ia the town knew that Harry Jones had come home alive and well to rescue his much-en during, patient wife from aworse constraint thar that of British prison but what they all said and what Molly felt, must leave you to imagine for here the legend ends.
 "I think have seen you before, sir are yol not Owen Swift :" "Oh yes, I'm owin' Smith i. Iasd owin' Jones, and owin'' Brown, and owis sssFybody."
 It appears by an animated. dsbsts in ths Sau ste that great feeling has arisen in conseouenc