Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-06-15

Black as thy face was, honest Joe,
when the message comes which calls you
to the happy land, this good deed shall
be written in living characters beneath
thy name, and make the soul within its
dark tenement shine whittier than many
another Of far greater pretentions than
thinel
Tom Granger came back to the viii
lage, as lie had promised, and MilIy was
The first to meet him on the train, and
he would have bought her ware again at
a fabulous price, if she would have al
lowed it, When she said he had paid
too much already, he took her basket on
the train himself, and made everybody
buy and pay round prices too. And
when the last bunch was sold, he slyly
slipped silver halt dollar among the
change he had received, and put it into
her hand uncounted.
Il owe you some, she said You gnve
me two dollars when you were here be-
FORE
what if | did? Don't you be a lit
tie humbug, Milly, | meant to give it to
you
But | want to pay you back.
Il never take anything back | gave.
Nc Indian in Tom Granger, little girl.
Now take me to see your grandfather
The old man was pleased to sec them.
q cah'C rise, young gentleman, for |
havn't the use Of my limbs now, sir he
said.
Don't trouble yourself to apologize.
Sir, said Tom quietly. It's enongh for
me to know that you are q soldier, and
and q wounded one. My father is a
soldier, AID he taught me to respect ev,
cry man who had fought in the service
of the country
Your father soldier, boy?' said the
veteran, with frightening eye.
This is Tom Granger, grandpa; the
one told you about. He wanted to
see you, and | brought him.
And you are right welcome to my
poor house for the name you bear. Your
father was not in the Mexican war, was
he"
Yes, sir; all through it,
AT Bnena Vista?
Yes. He was nearly killed at Bue-
ma Vista by lot of lancers, and was
saved by two soldiers.
Two men sneaking about to rob the
dead, perhaps said Grandfather Went.
worth.
Tom Granger was silent, but a sullen
look came into his face.
DO you know any better of them?
said the old man, with sly twinkle in
his eye.
Il know this shouted Tom, starting
up angliy, that they saved my fathers
life, and that he said he would give ten
thousand dollars to find one OF them.
Which one!'
He was called Wentworth, and after
the battle of Belan Gate he was lost.
My father has searched far and near for
him, advertised in the newspapers, and
kept men on the watch for him for years.
He says he was true hearted, simple
man, hero and soldier every inch.
And you, who have been soldier,
ought Tom stopped and choked
little
Say the rest, my boy cried the old
man, with a glowing face. Don't be
aleared.'
Ought to have better heart than to
speak i'll of man you never saw, and
who saved my fathers life
Boy cried the old soldier, seizing
his hand, Il am that sojer Wentworth
who fought beside your brave father
through Mexico to lis very gates
'You,' shouted Tom, Hip, hip, hip,
hurrah Wont my father be glad. Give
me your hand, Sir; want to shake it
the hand of the man who turned away
death from my father. I'll write to him
tomorrow I'll write to mother, and
she'll come. l shall go crazy, Pm so
glad
There, grandfather, didn't tell you?
said Milly, proud of her protege. Il
knew he was good
And the captain didn't forget the old
sarjent, arter ALL muttered the old
man. Go into the garden and talk, my
children | want to thnk-to think of
old times.
They went out quietly leaving him
alone. The coming of this boy, bring
ing him news from his loved officer, and
showing him that the man he had saved
had not forgotten him, warmed his brave
old heart There was something in Tom
Granger's face, young as he was which
touched the old soldier deeply--it was
so like his fathers as he remembered
it.
The next day Tom wrote two letters
one to his father in the far West, and
one to his mother. Two days after Mrs.
Granger came and greeted the old man
as dear friend, who had saved her hus-
bands life.
lam going to ask for your brightest
jewel. Give me this child, and | will
love her as the child lost long ago. l
know it will be hard to part, but is it
not better for the childb'
The brave old heart fell at the thought,
'rake her Take Little Sunbeam ?
He tried to think of the house as it
would seem without her smile to make
it bright. Take Milly!' He only liv-
ed in her presence, and in the thought
that she would come back to him. To
miss her light step on the floor, her mer-
rv sOnp at morninp. her farewell kiss at