Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-02-01
Wave the Flag.

During the late war a regiment of Massa
chusetts cavalry, having seen hard service at
the far South, were returning weary and dis
pirited, in government transports-where
little regard could be paid to comfort-on the
Potomac. They had seen only enemies, and
heard only curses on their flag for long
time; and perchance they may have felt that
men at home did not realize their sacrifices
and felt no gratitude towards them. They
may, too, have been suffering from touches
of home sickness, honorable even in strong
hearted n en-, and have been pressed down by
the fear of what might await their families,
| should their lives, like those of their mis-
| sing comrades, be called for as a new offering
on freedoms altar. They had suffered from
hunger and thirst, and other privations new
to the sons of thrifty New England; and
from all these causes they were detected as
they steamed their way up the James river.
At certain spOt-a spot never to be for
gotten-there appeared on the bank solita-
~ figure, which, at first sight, attracted
their attention and brought them to their
feet. lone woman stood on the bank,
waving aloft for their cheer and welcome the
American flag The effect was electric; it
reused their patriotism and warmed their
hearts as they sent up cheer after cheer for
the " Stars and Stripes" and for her who
raised them aloft. 1t gave them new life by
that however much of selfshness there might
be among some of the ease-loving at home,
there were still hearts suffering with them,
and praying for their safety and their re-
turn. They forgot their gloom engaged in
conversation, and ere they knew it, were at
their haven. She did not create the symbol
nor inspire its folds with patriotism. And
what did this woman do? She simply waved
the flag to cheer them on. twas very lit
tie thing. Probably she had long toiled and
watched for her country's heroes, but it was
this one little act which inspired them then
with hope and courage. And even if she
had done no more. if she was too poor to
give, too frail to nurse, too isolated to join
in benevolent and patriotic enterprises, this
one deed was enough TO bless her memory,
and to make us wish to know.her name.
There was once a bright, spirited little
girl whose hard working father was taken
suddenly away from his little family, leaving
the whole burden Of their support on the
mother. A kind lady questioned this child,
but six years old, as to how they got along
E" Oh, - said little Moll, " mother and DO
all the work now, and we do it first rate.
- But what can you do to help, with such
little hands as those =" asked the lady
Molly held up her plump little hands and
turning them over again and again, said
. O, can do lots and lots | set the ia
BILE, and wash the dishes. and shake up the
cradle pillow, and blow the whistle for the
baby. Sometimes mamma gets tired wash
ing, and she cries Then 20 and lift baby
out of the cradle-he's awful heavy-aud
hold HIM right up before mamma. Then she
always laughs and takes him, and that rests
her, don't you see.
Little Molly was doing Just what the wo-
man on James river did-holding up some
thing to cheer the tired heart something
worth living and suffering for What the
flag was TO the mother and Molly did her
part Of the great work in reminding her Of
1t. Who cannot do as much as this in the
family, TO relieve the WEAKNESS and disoOur-
agements which are felt, more or less. by the
burden bearers
Who cannot hold up the banner, for the
- kingdom which is not Of this world, " en-
gagged 1t Is in the war with the powers of /
darkness? We may not be able in our weak
ness 10 WELD the sword. or IN our poverty % I
provide the sinews Of war ; but we can stand /
up boldly. and in the face OF angry foes and /
dIsheartened friends wave the banner Of the I
cross,-that banner which is the pledge of .
final victory.
How often do the servants of the Lord al /
most sink by the way, overcome with weari- i
ness and discOuragements And how then +
like angels Of light, appear sometimes those .
frail ones, who, unable to DO more, hold aloit I
the symbols Of their faith to cheer them on I
by reminding them that they are nearing I
home, where triumph must be certain ana .
complete UatehmaH and Reflector.