The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-03-02
for the Children.
The Br0re Little Girl.

girls are always Co"aluS, sftiu AA''iiy
Anderson, drawing himself up and look
ing every inch a hero.
Are you sure of that ?" responded
LITTLE Annie, looking up from the floor
where she had been chasing kitty to get
back her spool OF cotton. "Do you re-
member the story mamma read to us
about the little girls who went out and
buried the drummer boy p
well, that was only once in while;
II! ask mother if girls aren't always more
'lraid than boys are
SO he asked her, and she called them
both to her. and while they sat down ana
listened. twilight came on and all was
still in the little parlor; no sound outside
lut the rolling Of guns at the military
scAooI in the city, and no sound inside but
mammals sweet voice talking to her chill
drrn. Some how it thrilled her heart to
hear the children's questions, for they liv-
ed III border state, traversed by bands OF
gucrrilIaS and although no harm had
rome 10 iHtll liOIlc ''S rSt, SLY hC'Ni N'''
cd to think what day might bring forth.
So he talked to them as so many soldiers
wi,e. have talked to their little children,
and told them they must be very brave,
for as long as they were doing right there
was nothing III all the world for them to
be afraid of, not even death, whenever II
might come Harry looked a little lmpa-
tient, az if he knew it all before but An
ME listened to every word, and watched
every expression of her mothers face,
while a light gIowed in her large hazle
eyes, that showed her worthy to be sol
dcr's daughter; worthy OF father who
went down in the Cumberland in the bat
tie Of Hampton Roads.
That night when Harry was asleep in
hi, little bed up stairs, low sound from
mamma awoke Annie from her Sleep
Mrs Anderson was very sick her hard
cough had before occa>ioned bleeding from
her lungs, but this attack was worse than
any previous one, and she sunk back on
her pillow, too weak and faint to notice
anybody. Annie did not scream or faint,
although a dcathy sickness Of fear came
over her She stole softly up stairs
mamma is very sick, Harry she said,
and YOU must come down and stay with
her while | 90 for the doctor I'll not be
gone long, you know"
They lived far from any house; there
was no kind neighbor to call upon. \
two-mile walk alone at midnight, for it
was Just twelve by the clock on the kitch-
en- mantle, would be enough to frighten
any child; but Annie put on her cloak
and her little worsted hood and went out
into the night. 1t was very still. The
snow lay clear and pure over all the hills,
and the stars shone brightly on the snow.
She stood one moment under the elm tree
by the gate, and said little prayer that
God would take care her and make
mamma WELL" and then run lightly over
the snow, for it had a hard crust on it,
and her little feet never broke through.
Down the lane she went, past an house
where there was a dog, her most dreaded
enemy; he was half asleep, he only rat
tied his chain and growled and went to
sleep again. Between the lonely farm
house and the village was the federal
camp; Annie could see the white tents
in the distance, and the flags dropping
over them.
"Who goes there ," called out
mounted guard on the hill.
Her road lay that way and she trem-
blel to pass, for he looked stern and his
bright bayonct >hone cold and blueish
white in the starlight. He could not see
her, for She was down in the bushes
he only heard her tread and saw
a moving shadow In a moment a bullet
came whi,ting down the ra,ine, but her
good angel waraed it oft. and she went on
until a heavy hand WIS laid upon her
shoulder and she found herself within the
camp. The man spoke very roughly to
her, and told her she was little rebel spy
sent into camp by some Of Mosby's men
Ii all locked so very strange to her that
her brave heart began to grow sorrowfuI;
She such little girl, and her mamma SO
very sick, ana that rough soldier telling
her that She was going to be hung as
rebel spy.
II must 20" She said. "You are a
bad man 10 keep ne here, my mother will
die. Can't 90 ;" She turned to man
who WAS passing through the tent
"Can't 90! That man." her eyes
flashed and a deep red burned upon her
checks, "hc thinks | would tell a lie
What Is it, corporal? You might
find something better to do than teasing
little child"
The surgeon li-tcncd attentivcly to An
mes story. and others gathered round to
hear for the tiny figure, the little cloak
and hood, made them think of their own
little girls, tucked away safely in their
beds up Morrill,"
Il believe every word,' said the kind
hearted surgeon. Il will 90 myself to see
your mother; its pity you have been
kept SO long"
She looked at him with eager eyes, and
finally walked up to him and put her
little hand in his. heaving sigh of relief,
tor she knew she had one friend. They
went back together, only when her little
feet could not keep up with his hurried
step he took her up, wrapped her in his
blue cloak, and carried her Just as he would
his own little girl, in his arms. With the
kind surgeons skill Mrs. Anderson was
much better in the morning. and he left
medicine which he said. with careful
nursing. might prevent another attack.