The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1866-01-05
srlrtttA 98istcllanp,
THE RAGGED SOLDIER.
? a True STORY oE THE REVOLUTION.


Just at the close OF tho Revolutionary
War, there was seen somewhere in one OF
the small towns of Central Massachusetts, q
ragged and lorlorn looking soldier coming
mp the dusty street. He looked about OF
the coln-iclds tasscllng for the harvest, OF
the rich, bright patches of wheat for the
sickle, and on the green potato field with
curious eyes--so at least thought Mr.
Towne, who was walking leisurely behind
bini, going home from ale reaping to his
supper The latter was stout farmer
dressed in homt-inade hfownl linen 'trows
crs, without suspenders, vest or coat The
ragged soldier stopped under the shade OF
great sugar maple, and Mr.. Towno, over.
taking him, stopped also.
"llome from The wars ;" he asked.
" Just out OF the, British clutches, replied
the man I've beCu a prisoner for years.
He rcjoncd suddenly: "Can you tell me
who lives in that hohse? lsit y6urs?,"
Nc" replied Towhe ; Toupkins lives
there. That house and farm used to belong
to comrade of yours, as | suppose; liis
name WAS Jones, but he WAS shot at Binkel
Hill, and his widow married again
The soldier leaned against the tree.
| ''What kind of a man is he ? meat
what kind of people are they there? Would
they be likely TO let . poor scldier have
something TO eat .t q.
"l( Tompkius is out, you'd be, treated
! first-rate there Mrs, TlRpkins is nice
woman, but he is the srarlicst cur that evel
gnawed bone. lie is Il ttrribly surly
neighbor, and he leads her Il dogs life. She
missed ii marrying the fellow; but you see
she had hard time Of ii with the farm, af.
ter Jones went OF soldering, aud When my
son canio back and said he was dead-he
saw him bleeding to death on the battle
field sho r lie right dow, aud Tompkh,s
came along and got Into work ior her, and
he laid hin,slcf ont 20 DO nrstrate. lie
somehow got % the blind side Of all Of ue,
and when lie offered himself TO her, | adj
vised her to have him, and ! am sorry | did
il. You had better como homo with me.
always have bite for any poor fellow
that's fought for his ooHlftry.'
/ '"lhauk youp kindlyleturuGd the soldier
shut Mrs. Tompkins is distaut-7-a sort oi
old acqnaintaucc. The fact is, / used to
knew her first husband, and ! guess ! will
call there go.
Mr.. Towne watched him as he went up
to the door and Knocked aid saw that he
was admitted by Mrs. T6mpkiiis.
"Somc old sweetheart Of hers maybe
seid Mr., Townen nojdug to .limsel6, He
comes too latci poor womauihhe has hard
row TO hoe now Then, MI. TOWno went
home TO supper and We vii SO in with the
sollier.
Gould yon give poor soldier a mouth
full to eat? lie asked Of The pale, nervous
woman who opened tho door.
my husband does not allow me TO give
anything to travellers, she taid but al
ways feel for the solliers coming back. and
I'll give you some supper, if yOn won't be
long eating il p and she " ped her eyes
with her white and blue checked apron, and
set with alAcriiy about providing refresh
mcrts for the poor man, who had iir0wn
himself in the nearest chair, and with his
head leaning on his breast seemed TOO tired
even to remove his. hat rom his faee.0
e" am glad TO have you cat, aud would
not hurry you for gAything," she said, in n
frightened wayi bur you lcH cat quick,
won't yoni for expect every moment he
T6e man drew his chair 10 the table,
keeping his hat on LIS head as though he
belonged 10 the Society Of Friends but
that could not be, for tile Friends do not
90 to the wars lie ate heartily of the
Bread and butter aud cold meat, and how
long he wis about II! 2Dl HN !
l. Mrs ilona'kins 6dgetiodI.u Dear me.
she said to herself, gil bo only knew, he
wouldli't'be 50 ergfl as rtgI lei Tompkms
come in and catch him here Shedwent
aud looked from The window lineasily; but
the soldier gave no token Of his meal com.
I ing to an end. Now, he is pouring vine,
gar on the cold eahSPge anl, oialoes.o
eau ask hilu 10 tlka those away in his