The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-09-09
read it aloud. A few words We may cx.

"There is still, 1T said, "much suffering.
| have given away every pair OF stockings
you sent me, reserving to myself only one;
for Twill not be one whit better oil than the
poorest soldier who fights for his country.
Poor fellows it makes my heart ache some
times to go around among them and see
them with worn clothes and torn shoes,
and often bleeding feet, yet cheerful and
hopeful, and every one willing TO do his
very best. Often the spirit OF discourage
ment comes over them, particularly al tnight,
when weary, cold and hungry, they turn
into their comfortless huts, on the snowy
ground. Then sometimes there is II thought
| of home, and warm fires, and some speak of
giving up; but next morning out come
| Washngton's general orders, little note,
but its wonderful the good it does and then
all resolve to hold on, come what may.
There arc commissioners going all through
the countries to pick up supplies. If they
come to you need not tell you what to do
| know all that will be in your hearts" J"
"Thcre, children, see what your father
suffers, said the mother, land what it costs
these poor soldiers to gain our liberty
"Epmuiin Scranton told me that the com.
missioners had come as far as the Three Mile
| Tavern. and that he rather 'spcctcd they'd
be along here tonight" said John, rs he was
helping round the baked beans to the silent
company at the tea-tablc.
"To-night ? do tell, now y said Aunt llitty.
"rhen its time we were stirring. Let's see
what can be got"
| "l'll send my new overcoat for one" said
John. That old one isn't cut up yet, is it,
Aunt llitty?"
"Nu," said Aunt Hitty;" was laying out
to cut it over next Wednesday, when Dea-
con Smith will be here to do the tailoring"
There's the south room," said Aunt
! IIitty, musing; "that bed has got two of old
Aunt Wards blankets on it, and the great
blue quilts and two comforters on it. Then
mothers and my room, two pairs--four
comforters-tw quilts--the bost chamber
has got"
ooh, Aunt Htty, send all that's in the
best chamber. If any company comes VIC
can make it up from Off our beds" said John,
81 can send blanket or two from my bed, |
know; can't but just turn over i'll it, 80 many
clothes on now."
"Aunt Tltty, take q blanket off our bed"
said Grace and Dick at once.
"Wcll, we'll, Wen see, said Aunt Hitty,
bustlng up.
Up rose grandmamma with great earnest
ness, and on going to tho next room, and
opening large cedar-wood chest, returned,
! bearing in her arms two large, snow-white
! blankets, which she deposited fiat on the
table just as Aunt llitty was whisking oil
/ the table-cloth.
"Mortal Mother what are you going to
do?" said Aunt Hitty.
There" said she, Il spun every thread of
en-, when my name was Mary Evans.
Those were my wedding blankets. made of
real nice wool, and worked with roses III
all the corners. I've got them to give!'
and grandmamma stroled and smoothed the
| blankets, and pa,tcd them down with great
tenderness. 1t was evident she was giving
something very near her heart; but she
never taltcrcd.
La, mother, there's no need of that"
! said Aunt lIitty. Use them on your own
| bed and send the blankets off from that;
they are Just as good for soldiers"
No, l shan't," said the old lady, waxing
little warm; 'tisn't bit too good for EN-,
I'll send the very best I've got before they
shall suffer. Send 'eIn the best" and the
old lady gestured oratorically.
They were interrupted by n knock at the
door, and two men entered and announced
themselves as commissioned by Congress to
search out supplies for the army. Now the
plot tltickens. Aunt Hitty flew in every di.
rcctiou, through the entry, passage, meal
room, milk-room, down cellar, up chamber
her cap-border on end 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
possible travelling order, the various con-
trihutions that were prcciptately launched
on the kitchen floor.
Amt Hittv Snnu onpnorpI in the litcNon
with an ;.rmtul of stockings, which, kneel-
ing on tho floor, she began counting and
laying out.
There" said she, laying down large
bundle on some blankets, that leaves two
apiece all round"
La" said John, whats the use of saw
ing two pairs for me? can do with one
pair as well as father"
Sure enough" said his mother, "hesides,
| can knit you another pair i'll day"
"And can do with one pair, said Dick.
yours will be too small, young master,
guess, said one of the commissioners.
"No," said Dick, Il have got q pretty
good foot of my own, and Aunt I1itty will
always knit my stockings an inch too long,
cause she says | grow SO. See here-these
will do" and the boy shook his head tri-
umphantly.
"And mine, too" said Grace, nothing
doubling, having been busy all the time
in pulling off her little stockings.
Here" she said to the man who was
packing the things into "a wide-mouth sack;
heres mine, and her large blue eyes
looked earnestly through her tears.
Aunt Hitty few at her. Good land
the child's crazy. Don't think the men
could wear your stockings-take them
away"
Grace looked around with an ar of utter
desolaton, and began to cry II wanted
to give them something" said she. I'D
rather go bareiootcd on the snow all day
than not send them anything"
Give me the stockings my child" said
the old soldier. "There, I'll take cm, and
show 'cm to the soldiers and tell em what
the little girl said that sent them. And it
viii do them as much good as if they could
wear them. They've got little girls at home,
too" Grace fell Oh her mothers bosom,
completely happy and Aunt lIitty only
muttered-
Everybody does spoil that child, and no
wonder, neither! -
Soon the old sleigh drove of from the
brown house, tightly packed and heavily
loaded. And Grace and Dick were creep
ing up to their little beds
There's been something laid on the altar
of Liberty tonight hasn't there Dick ?"
Yes, indeed" said Dick and, looking up
to his mother, he said: But, mother, what
did you give?"
81 2" said the nsother, musingly.