The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-11-25

81 osr or ROM

VI ~ a
overlooks the romantic little village
of Somerset. His beard was covered
with icicles; bis hands were bloc with
excessive cold, while bis toes peeped
out from iunocent-looking holes in bis
boots. offering a mule but touching
appeal for protection from the biting
frosts. A sigh rose unbidden from
bis breast and a tear coursed slowly
down bis weather beaten cheek as he
gazed on the village at bis feet.
From the chimneys on either side
Of the street the smoke rose in
graceful wreaths, while the savory
odor Of roast turkey, duck and tbt
many other good things that grace
the Thanksgiving tables Of thrifty
PENNSYLVANIA housewives was watt
ted 70 the air.
Resnming his pack, which contain
ed bis little all, which be had flung
down when he first obtained e view
Of the town, the traveller descended
the bin.
Gould you give an old man a BIT
Of bread and a cup of watery" he
asked at the first taFern stand be
reached.
The landlord. in no enviable frame
Of mind, replied grufiy, 1--WE don't
feed beggars here. Get out of this
before I have the hostler kick YOU
out"
MAY you never know what it is
10 suffer from cold and hunger as /
have" replied the old man as he
closed the door and YEARLY dragged
his limbs toward a more distant
hosiery.
II wish / had let the old man
STAY" unused the landlord as be sat
behind tie bar-room stove, smoking
his pipe and taking an occasional sip
from a bowl of hot punch by his side.
"But what right have people to beg
anyhow? I'd a good deal rather
starve," and with this %consoling re-
Election be resumed his pipe, putting
out huge volumes Of black smoke till
the rom was fairly clouded.
At the next house the traveller
made the same request and was met
by a similar refusal. Two such re-
fusals were enough for the naughty
spirit that lurked beneath that coat Of
homespun, and be passed on through
and out of the town without glanc-
ing either to the right or left.
On the bridge which crosses the
creek east Of town he was met by
good old Doctor b. Seated in his
comfortable sleigh, with his buffalo
robes drawn tightly around him,
and holding the reins loosely over
his prancing horses, the Doctor look
ed what be was, one of the kindest
and best Of men. Catching sight of
the stranger be checked his hol ses,
while bis CHEEKY voice called out:
How now old friend, which way
90 you on this cold day? Jump in
to my sled and go home with me.
You are right welcome to a share of
our Thanksgiving dinner. There is
room at Onr table for one more.p
The last sentence came in a lower
tone than the rest Of the Doctors
greeting. As be said it a spasm of
pain shot across bis face, remember
ing the one who had filed that
place but a few years before. A
dear con, who at his countrv's carf1
had donned her uniform and march
ed forth to do battle in her cause.
News othim had com to the old
homestead but once, a short letter
rom a soldier friend:
Ned was shot through the breast
at Monterey, be died a few hours
afterwards. When we found him
be was almost dead, but rallied suf-
fciertly TO speak; his last words
were, tell mother l did my duty
We buried him and many another
brave fellow on the field where he
fell" Then followed q eulogy on the
good qualities Of the dead bow on a
long march be bad shared his last
ration with a friend; how on one sui
Try night be had relieved a poor, sick
oOmrade from picket duty at the most
dangerous point of the line. It was
a fitting tribute, and such a one as only
a brave man a pay to the memo
'ry of another, and from whom should
it come if not from Earl Davis, be
who had been Ned's trustiest friend
and companion in arms. The mother,
almost heartbroken, with what little
patience she could command, anxious
ly awaited the summons for her to.
join her soldier boy in his heavenly
home.
The traveller hesitated a moment
and made q step toward the sleigh,
looking with longing eyes at the warm
buffalo robes, but shaking his head be
thanked the Doctor for bis kindRess to
an old man and proceeded painfully
on bis journey. As he neared the
brow OF the bill on the pike that over
looks town. be turned once to gaze
on the scene. In front of him Law
the village. The merry laugh of
the joyous children made music to
the rhythm of their skates as they
glided swiftly from side to side. On
an eminence overlooking the rest of
the town stood the Court House,
while the white marble shafts that
appeared in the back ground marked
the last resting places of many of.
her once useful citizens. Here and
there a church shot its spire heaven
ward as though anxious TO bridge the
chasm between this and a better
world. A spirit of peace and quie-
tude, like a heavenly henediction,
hrooded over the landscape. The
memories Of the olden time crowding
thick and fast on the old mans mind
found vent in words.
and this is Somerset; in Won
meadow beneath the bill were spent
many happy hours Of childhood
Yonder, above the bend in the creek
we fshed and swan; many
and many a time have / slid down
that hill; the church yard there holds
all that is earthly Of a kind father
and loving mother. To-day have /
been turned rutblessly from the door
Of my own sons house. May heaven
grant that be may never know who
be has this day set adrift. Casting
M long, sorrowful look over the
peaceful scene he trudged mournfully
forward From the next hill he oh