Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-03-26


was thus brought 10 a premature grave.
And yet here is his family almost on the
very verge of beggary.
| Tears here started in mothers owes
which so touched me tina, rose and went
and looked out of the window when, to
my surprise, ! saw entering the yard two
wen mounted stranger gentlemen, whom,
from something about their general APP
pearance, took 10 be old military officer
Of pretty high rank-or. at least, one OF
them, who was larger, and had a very
commanding look, Having Significantly
beckoned mother to my side, she eagerly
saIed out at the new corners moment in
silence, when she suddenly gave a start
and with an excited air, exclaimed,
seth just take notice Of that noble
looking ono Why he looks ever So much
like the picture | once saw of but,
no thaNurcly cant be"
well, at any rate, mother, he must be
a man of some consequence for, see,
brother Israel who acts as ii he knew him,
he is swinging his hat from his head clear
away at arms length, and howing lower
than he would 10 u king. Israel, is quite
too stiff neckcd To do that for any com.
mon man, But they are beginning TO
talk. l will Just open the door little
mite, and perhaps We can hear what they
are saying"
II did SO, and the first words | distin-
guished were those Of the parsonage who
had so attracted our attention, and who,
addressing my brother, and pointing 10
the horse, by the side of which he was
standing, asked:
"ls not that the horse Colonel Warner
used to ride n the war -
ut is, your Excellency,r replied Israel,
again bowling low, and very respect
fully.
"Ah, yes, | thought so, resumed the
former, turning 10 his companion, as At
tlcbe, and pointing TO the old war steed
with that interest with which he was
known ever to regard fine horses. /
thought it could be no other. Just glance
at his leading points. shapely head, arched
neck deep chest, launches, and limbs. ]
have seen Colonel Warner riding him on
parade, when | noted him as rare ami
nal, and thought that the horse and rider,
taken together-for Warner was model
Of figure, and several inches taller than
| am-madc military appearance sec
ond TO none in the Continental army. But
my business is with your mother, my
young friend, and | will now, il you will
take charge of my horse few moments,
20 in at once 10 see her.
Hearing this announcement mother
and hastily retreated to our former seats,
and, with the curiosity and excitement
| l. Ia 4 n.
raised in US, silently awaited the entry OF
the expected visitor. We had thus been
seated but two or three minutes before
he came in, and bowling graciously to my
mother, said:
II take this to be Mistress Warner, the
widow of my much esteemed friend, the
late Colonel Warner, of the Continental
army Z"
It Is, .rr rfrr leilsls-
"Will you permit me TO introduce my.
self to you, madam" he resumed, with
that winning sort of dignity l had noticed
in him from the first l am Gen. Wash
ington. And after arrived in this Sec
ton of the country, few days ago,
made-and / hope you will pardon me the
liberty ] took with your private affairs
made some inquiries about you, and the
situation of your family when learning
to my deep regret, that your late husband,
in consequence of his long continued alb
sence from his home and business, while
in the service Of his country, and his sub
sequent shattered health, resulting from
the hardships of war, left you laborins
under pecuniary endorsements, | was
prompted to come. and see you
Il had little dreamed of such an honor
and such kindness, General" she re-
sponded, nearly epefpewered by her emo
ton, and the imposing presence of her
august visitor.
"There lisa mortgage he rejoined, with
out responding in any way to her last re-
marks, "a rather heavy mortgage on your
homestead
Il am sorry" she replied, sadly, every
sorry to be compelled to say there is
General much heavier one than can
ever pay"
$50 ! had ascertained,' he proceeded !;
'and have also, before coming here, been
at the pains of ascertaining the exact
amount now due, and required to cancel
this to you, doubtless, ruinous incumber-
ance, and l propose now to leave with you
the sum of money you will need for effect
ing that desirable object"
Does the money come from the Gov
eminent, sir Z" she asked, doubtfully, and
with look that seemed to say, IF ii does
al. Sgnsi looked =. he, and ,s,,.
tated little at first, but soon, while tax
ing up the valise he had brought in with
him, slowly responded:
| "In one sense it does. | may say, mad
ame, as you have delicacies on the subject
| am in receipt of liberal yearly salary
from the Government, from which it is
discretionary with me to impart aid some-
times to deserving objects and | certain
| ly know Of none more so than one which
will relieve the family of so meritorious
an officer as your late self-sacrificing hus-
band"
without waiting for any rejoinder to
the remarks, he opened his valise, and
took from it bag of silver money, and
deliberately proceeded to draw out and
count from it till he had reached the sum
of nine hundred and some odd dollars,
which afterwards proved to be the sum
uehiiAucu III princip u, ihterest anu ICES,
for the discharge of the mortgage on our
place. He then, afterreturning the money
to the bag, and setting it aside for the
purpose he had designated, and taking
the hand Of my mother, who seU1ued iii-
clined to demonstrate, but could not force
the words for it from her quivering lips.
| tenderly, but with an air that seemed to
forbid any attempt at refusal, said to
her.
accept it, don't hesitate to accept it,
take it and get the mortgage discharged
at once and then all your immediately
pressing anxieties will. be relieved, and
soon you will find those brighter days the
God Of the widow has kept in store for