The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-02-26
A True Story Of the Revolution.


looking soldier coming up the dusty street.
He looked about on the cornfields tasseling
for the harvest, on the rich, bright patches
of wheat, ready for the sickle, and on the
green potato fields with curious eyes-so
at least thought Mr.. Towne, who was
walking leisurely behind him, going from
the reaping to his supper The latter was
stout farmer dressed in home made brown
linen Iowsers, without suspenders vest or
coat. The ragged soldier stopped under the
the shade OF a great sugar maple, and Mr.
Towne overtaking him stopped also.
Home from the warp he asked
Just cut of the British clutches" replied
the man; " I've been prisoner for years"
He rejoined suddenly, "can you tell me
who lives in the next house Is it yours ?n
No." replied Mr.. Towne. " "Tompkns
lives there. That house and farm used 10
belong TO comrade of yours, as suppose
his name was Jones, but he was shot al
Bunker Hill, and his widow married again
The soldier leaned against a tree.
g What kind of man is he Would they
be likely TO let poor soldier have some
thing 10 eat?"
:" If Tompkins is out, you'd be treated
firstrate there. Mrs. Tompkins is nice
woman, but he is the snarlies, cur that eve
gnawed a bone. He is terrible surJ
neighbor, and he leads her dogs life She
missed it marrying the fellow; but you SET
she had hard time of il with the farm af
ter Jones went off soldering, and wher
my son came back and said he was dead,
he saw him bleeding to death on the battle
field-she broke down, and this Tomkin'
came along and got into work for her, anti
he laid himself out to do first rate. He some
how got on the blind side of all of Us AMI
when he offered himself to her. l advise
her to have him, and Pm sorry did it,
You had better come with me. | always
have bite for any poor fellow that's fought
for his country"
Thank you kindly returned the soldie',
'but Mrs Tompkins is disiant-a sort of
old acquaintance. The fact is. used O
know her first husband and guess | win
call there
Mr. Towne watched him as he went up
to the door aud knocked, and saw that he
was admitted by Mrs. Tompkins.
Some old sweetheart OF hers, may be, ,
said MIR. Towne nodding TO himself Ee
come too late, poor woman, she has a ha ID
row TO hoe now Then Mr. Towne we 1t
home TO his supper, and we will go in viii
the soldier.
Could you give poor soldier mouth
ful 10 eat?' he asked of the pale nervo is
woman who opened the door.
MY husband does not allow me to give
anything to travellers, she said, 'but | al
ways feel for the soldiers coming back, nd
I'll give you some supper if you wont be
long eating IT, and she wiped her eyes W III
her white and blue checked apron, and ct
with aacrity about providing refreshments is
for the poor man who had thrown hims elf
into the nearest chair and with his he ad
leaning on his breast, seemed too tired to
remove his hat from his face.
81 am glad to have you eat aud would mt
hurry you for anything she said in frig ht-
ened way, but you will eat quick, won't
you? for expect every minute he will be
in
The man drew his chair TO the talle,
keeping his hat on his head as though he
belonged TO The Society of Friends but
that could not be, for The Friends do no go
10 the wars. He ate heartily of The br sad
and butter and cold meat, and how long he
was about i'll
Mrs. Tompkins fidgetted. "Dear n e."
she said to herself, tif he only knew, he
wouldn't be so cruel as TO let Tompl;ins
come in and catch him here She went
and looked from the window uneasily. but
the soldier gave no token of his meal com
ing to an end. 'Now he is pouring vinega
on the cold cabbage and potatoes, | can't ask
him to take those in his hand. Oh, dear
how slow he is, hasn't the man any
teeth At last she said mildly, Il am cry
sorry 10 hurry you, sir, but couldn't you lei
me spread some bread and butter, and cut
you some slices of meat to take away With
you? My husband will use abusive au-
guage to you if he finds you here"
Before the soldier could reply. footsteps
were heard on the doorstone at the hack
door and man entered. He stopped short
ard looked at the soldier as savage dog
nigh, look. Then he broke out in tone
between growl and roar:
Hey dey, Molly, pretty piece of ,usi-
ness, wha. have told you time and a,ain,
madam ? You'll find you had better mind
yonr master And you, you lazy, the wing
sagabond, let me see you clear out ol my
house and off of my land good deal q ilck
than you came on my premises
Your house ! and your land excla med
the soldier. staring suddenly up, erect and
tall and dashing of his hat with Q lick,
frey gesture. His eyes flashed like ight-
ming, and his lips quivered with indign ation
as he confronted the astonished Tomp kins
The latter was evidently afraid OF him, and
his wife had given sudden nervous shrek