The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-06-04

Do they not know that if you had re-
mained at nome during those four years
and others remained, this want would
never have come upon us? Is this the
way they would keep the promises Of
faith and goodwill made to us when
and my little ones gave up our husband
aud father to the great trial do not
see how Mr.. Osmond can look you in the
face and tell you the verdict"
at is not Osmond's fault, Nancy. 1t
is the law of the State, by which the
town is bound"
Then that avenue is shut to us?"
ayes, think | would starve first -
But, for you, my wife-and for our child
ren,-I cannot sec you suffer. The
shame the brand-wiil be mine-not
yours"
"Never never?" cried the wife.
awhile We have life | will hope The
end is not yet. We can pray to God for
strength"
And she sank down upon her knees,
and buried her face in her husbands lap.
And she prayed. And in the midst of
her prayer she heard a heavy football in
the entry-and she heard the opening of
door behind her, and upon arising she
bcheld a stranger who had entered unbid-
den and unannounccd.
Half an hour earlier man Of middle
age, tall and strong, with full, dark beard
slightly mixed with silver, and with a
limp in his gait, had alighted from car
riage and entered the bar room of the lit
tie village inn, and had there inquired
for Allen Farewell, and the landlord had
told him of the present sufferngs Of the
poor man, and he had asked the gentle
man.
"Do you know him, sir ?"
81 think | knew him once. Was he
in the army?"
"Yes, sir. He was through the whole
of it."
aye" continued the stranger, II
knew him well. He was one of the brav-
est of the brave and he once saved my
life. At Antietam my regiment held an
exposed position under charge of the
enemy. was shot down with ball
through my thigh. Our men were fore
cd to retreat. The enemy were pouring
down with a triumphant yell. Allan
Farewell saw me where | lay, unable to
rise. He rushed forward and caught me
up. | bade him leave me and save him
self; but he would not. In his strong
arms he bore me from before the foe.
The bullets flew around us like hail, but
he did not falter. With prompt and cool
decision he found cover, and finally
landed me safely under the care Of our
own surgeons. Surely l owe that man
something. Will you direct me to his
abode ?"
And this was the man who now stood
in the humble cot, and whom Nancy
Farewell behcld upon arising from her
prayerful kncelng.
Farewell ~ said the visitor advancing
step.
The sick man looked up, and presently
his worn face cleaned
ly started to his feet, bat the effort was
too much for him, and he sank back with
sharp gasp ofpain.
"Aye, my brave old comrade," return.
ed the now conner, bending over the chair
and taking both the iuvalid's hands at
is your old Colonel. have been looking
for you. Cheer up, my boy. You bore
me once through great peril, from death
to life. Let me now bear you--if not
from death to life, at least from darkness
to light.
"Nancy :" cried Allan, as soon as he
could speak, the tears coursing down bis
sunken cheeks, "it is my old Colonel
God bless him ~
The prayer was answered, and tbs
light had come. From his ample mean:
Colonel Douglas rendered a generous due
to the brave soldier, and did not leave
him until the darkness was all gone and
the light had come sure and lasting.
When Nancy Farewell had told to Inc
her story, she added, with strong empha
SIS
ut seems to me that our laws arr
hardly just. Many poor man, true
hearted and brave, though not crippled il
body, has yet come to want through hi
absence from home and business in the
war. Would it be asking too much Of our
law makers to so amend tn, strtutes thai
towns may be their own judges in thi,
matter? and if they have within theil
limits either soldiers who fought honora
bly, in the war, or the widows and or
phans of such, reduced to want, that they
may be allowed to extend Christian anC
fraternal help to such waits of the Crane
Old Army without branding them at the
same time as paupers? Would it not b.
right and just !"
From my heart | answered her.
"RIGhT AND JUST m