Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-06-15
The Ragged Soldier.

just aL Inc close OF the TcHOtuuOOarY war,
there was seen somewhere in one of the small
towns of central Massachusetts, ragged and
forlorn looking soldier coming up the dusty
street. He looked about on the cornfieds tas
selling for the harvest, on 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 walked lesurely behind him, going
from reapng to his supper.
The latter was Il stout farmer, dressed in home
made brown linen trowsers, without suspenders,
vest coat. The ragged soldier stopped under
the shade of great sugar maple, and Mr.. Towne,
overtaking him, stopped also.
% Home from the wars ? he asked.
81 am lust out of the British clutches" replied
the man. '.I've been prisoner for years He
rejoined suddenly, q Can you tell me who lives
in the next house? Is it yours -
"No," replied Towne, :Tompkns lives there.
That house and lot used to belong to Il comrade
of YOURS | suppose; his name was Jones, but he
was shot at Bunker Hill, and his young widow
married again"
The soldier leaned against the tree.
"What kind of man is he? | mean what
kind of people are they? Would they be likely
to let poor soldier have something to eat ~
@ If Tompkius is out, you'll be treated first
rate there. Mrs. Tompkins is nice woman, but
he is the snarliest cur that ever gnawed bone.
He is terribly surly neighbor, and he leads her
dogs life. She missed it in marrying the fell
low but you see she had hard time with the
farm after Jones went off soldering and when
Iay back and said he was dead-he
saw him bleeding TO death on the battle field
she broke right down and this Tompkns came
along and got into work for her, and he laid
himself out to do first rate. He somehow got on
the blind side of all of us. and when he offered
himself to her, advised her to have him, and
am sorry did it. You had better come home
with me. always have bite for poor fellow
that s fought for his country"
20 Thank you," kindly returned the soldier,
but Mrs. Tompkins is distant-a sort of old
acquaintance. The fact is | used to know her
first husband. and guess will call there"
Mr.: Towne watched him as he went up to the
door and knocked, and saw that he was admitted
by Mrs. Tompkins.
90 Some sweetheart of hers, may be" said Mr..
Towne, nodding to himself; he comes too late.
Poor woman, she has a hard row to hoe now.'
Then Mr.. Towne went home to supper, and we
will go with the soldier.
"Could you give poor soldier mouthful to
eat?' he asked of the pale nervous woman who
opened the door for him.
MY husband does not allow me IL give any
thing to travellers, said she, - but always feel
for the soldiers coming back, and I'll give you
some supper if you won't be long eating it -
and she wiped her eyes with her white and blue
checkered apren and set about with alacrity
providing refreshments for the poor man who
with his head leaning his breast appeared
too tired to remove his hat from bis face.
.'I am glad 10 have you eat, and would not
hurry you for anything she said in frighten-
ed way, % but you will cat quick, won't you? !
expect he will be in, every moment.
The man drew his chair to the table, keeping
his hat on his head as though he belonged TO The
Society of Friends but that could not be, for the
Friends do not go TO He ate heartily of the
bread and butter and cold meat--and how long
he about it.
Mrs. Tompkins fdgeted.
Dear me- said She to herself, ''i if he only
knew, be would not be so cruel as to let Tomp-
kins come in and catch him."
She went and looked from the window, un-
easily, but the soldier gave token Of his meal
coming 10 an end.
''Now he's pouring vinegar on the cold cab
bage and potatoes. Oh dear how slow he is
Hasn't the man any teeth ~
At last she said mildly, " am very sorry to
hurry you, bnt couldnt you let me spread some
bread and butter, and cut you slices of
meat to take away with you? Ny husband
will abusive language to you, if he finds you
here"
Before the soldier could reply, footsteps were
heard on the door,stone at the back door, and n
man entered. He stopped short, and looked at
the soldier as a savage dog might look. Then
he broke out in a tone between q growl and a
roar:
'IIey day, Molly pretty piece of business.
What have told you, time and again, madam
You'll find you Rad better mind your master.
And you, you lazy theving vagabond. let me see
You clear out of my house and off my land a
good deal quicker than you came on the prem
ises"
q Your house! your land p' exclaimed the
soldier, starting suddenly up, erect and tall ana
dashing off his hat with quick, hery gesture.
His eyes flashed like lightning, and ms .ps .is
quivered with Indignation, he confroneaid 'n of
astonished Tompkns. The latter was aaa-, arrons
him; aud his wife had given sndae. - his feet
Shrek when the soldier first sfaIieu a,,eu trembling
and anng off his hat, and had ALLEN ,aS ,s recng.
and half fainting in a chair, for sue
nized him. - 70 interfere between
You haia; n. a'y yssid TeppEins salRy e0Wsd
,ne m ,sa a"u .,,;,ude Of the soldier, -;,. ~
oy '1e tife T, exclaimed the soldier, WIN me
ooncep io1 tration of contempt expressed IN LIS
s0.ey Who are you ~ asked Tompkins' with an air
o. ~ am Harry Jones, since you ask. replied
N. soldier, ssthe owner Of this land, which you
viii leave this very hour, As for Molly soft