The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-07-08
A Young Hero.

wondered If the sky were falling, and asked
| if 'all those snow fakes came out of the
heaven where the angels are?'
But in the sunny south the weather was
as mild as May, and a northern newspaper
seemed like voice from snowdrift, and al
most set the people to shivering.
Down in Tennessee there lived lad nam
ed William Haynie, noble, handsome youth
the only earthly comfort of his widowed
mother. One of those bright, balmy morn
lngs in February, he stood at the little cot
tage door, whstling like mocking bird,
while his mother cut slices # cold bacon,
hoe-cake and peach-pie to put in his tin
pail, for he was going into the forest as usual
to chop wood.
There, there, cried Willy, as he saw the
last morsel 60 in, don't want my bucket
so full as that. And you hayn't left speck
for yourselt.'
'Ah, how do you know what / may have
in the cupboard p said his mother galy.
Nothing better than corn dodgers, |
now replied the boy. 'MotnNf, Ill tel
You what it is, if didn't know jeff. Da,i,
WAS scamp, and the war al awful sin, IL
like to join the army and get littl, money.
1t ~o,tld be rather comfortable to be sure OF
enough to eat
'Oh my son. cried his mother, before
would have YOU take up arms against this
blessed government, would starye 10 death
YOU know would
She spoke with earnestness and feeling, as
only those can speak who have seen the vol
at their doors
'Starve.' echoed William with flashing
eyes, you don't deserve my fathers name
if you wouldn't stsrse thousand times be-
fore you'd see NE turn traitor
j never was afraid of your doing it, VII
ly,' said his mother proudly. l am thankful
that YOU can be an honest boy these hard
times, and still earn the salt in your por.
ridge
Earn the salt in case | Ike my porridge
lalher fresI,' said William, laughing, but
its high time was of to my days work.-
Good bye, mother
Good bye, Willy dear said Mrs. Hay
kissing his forehead. She stood in the door
way watching him d. lie went III and out
among the tall trees; aud long after hii
handsome figure was out OF sight, she stood
there still, thanking GOD thai poor and hum
be as she was. ste had sUcn treasure in
her boy. Pool mother. she did not know
what trouble that fair day he!i for Ter. The
air was so still, and the sky SO sof;, that YOU
might fancy the sun 10 be walking IN hi.
sleep, writing his dreams on the idle, teecy
clouds After musing for while, the lone
ly woman went slowly into the house, snil
ing IS if some one had. been whispering
pleasant things in her ear.
: All the way to the forest Willy whistlet
and sang patriotic tunes, winding off with ;
few words he had caught somewhere ant
relished exceed ngly:
Wen hang JEFF Davis to a sour apple tree. &c
WHATS that you are singing9 cried ;
voice close to his ear. You might as wel
hush your mouth, pretty quick, too
Wait a minute and LII give You the rest
said Willy, nothing daunted. I'D like th'
chance Of singing it before the bogus presi
dent Of sham contedeyacy:
Wen hang jeff Davis to a sour -
Say that again. shouted the stranger
and you shall see stars.
Hands off, cried Willy. / don't sa
de while there is any chance of living
But the man only laughed in his face, ant
looking about him, Willy saw that a smaI
band Of men in uniform were close at hand
'Peaceably if You will, forciby if W
must said the first man. In the name c
President Davis command you to enlist i
cn army. Do You of your OWE free vi
volunteer as private in company -, -
regiment p
L DO not cried Willy, looking firmly
the soldiers eyes, which were as gray an
cold and hard as if they had been cut out {
granite.
Come, come, said one of the other
l don't fly into a passion, my lad, and nobod
will harm you.
I'm not in passion. said Willy. but
hope I've got spunk enough to hold On /
my country. God bless the federals, | sa
They are trying to stand up for the good o.
stars and stripes, and III nerer shoot a fede
,, al while my name is William Haynie!'
'Poh. Foh you've talked about enoug
, for young scamp VINO has got to eat h
words. Come or sir, march,!
With desperate courage Willy fougI
against his fate, but what could slend
! youth do against ten strong men?
They may lead me into battle, but tht
can't make ME fight mu,tered the lad b
tween his teeth. I've passed my word, az
my word is as good as an oath, that III ne
! er shoot a federat'
:, Willy was closely gusrded that night
He felt like wild beas, in cage, but kno'
ing how useless were words or sighs or tea
- he kept his heart urdtr lock and key
Think O. the agony of such patience
When his sense of justice was rebellir