The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-02-19


ness Of his countennnce. It needed no
introduction to assure the widow that
this was George Washington. With
that courbesey which always character
lied him, he bowed gracefully to Mad
anne Pierpont, as he blandly asked if he
could find rest and refreshment.
"Our horses are wearied-we have
ridden since nine this morning and
would fain recruit, " he added.
Certainly, gentlemen, and welcome,
she replied, smilingly, throwing wide
open the inner door as they dismounted.
"Our poor beasts" said one of the
officers, patting his smoking horse, 81
would they could be attended to at once.
Is there a groom or servant about your
house, madame, who could rub them
down and feed them2 I will reward him
Iliberally."
eve would ask no reward in this
household, sir, replied the widow; ''I
you will lead the horses round, they
shall be cared for"
The animals were conducted to the
stable, and there left, although the off
GERS looked in vain for indications that
there were men string in the place.
"Make yourselves perfectly comfor-
table, gentlemen" said the widow, "and
excuse me while 1 prepare your re-
freshment. You must be hungry rs
well as fatigued."
In another moment the widow was in
the stable unsaddling.the poor horses
work to which she was not accustomed but
which she nevertheless could do in time
Of need, being a woman of strong, mus
cular frame and great energy. She
knew it must be done by herself, or moi
at all, As for men and horses they were
completely iaded out. She with straw
rubbed the animals down with her own
hands, led them into their stalls, and
prepared and gave them food. After
changing her dress, she returned again
to the parlor, where the officers, having
unbuclled their swords and donned
their caps, sat conversing together, evi-
IDENTIFY enjoying delightful rest.
AS the widow stepped over the
threshold of the room, one of the Off
GERS was just remarking to his compan-
ions:
"He was one of my best men; and as
fne-looking a young fellow as ever vol
unteered.
''Do you speak of young Piermont ~
asked another.
"Yes, he fell yesterday, pierced by
three ballsl Poor fellow-it was a hard
fate for such boy"
For one moment the cheek of the
woman was blanched-the heart of the
mother shocked; but she spoke almost
calmly as she asked, (Which one was it,
sir ~
''Henry Pierpont, if L am not mis-
taken. Was he known to youl"
Was he known to herr Oh the tor,
ture that followed that question! Henry
her noble frst-born; he who had takeI
the place of the dead at their board
, and with gravity beyond his year.
carried out the plans his father left un
finished
, And now his blue eyes we're CLOSED
p forever bright locks soiled in the
7 dust. Oh, the thought was anguish
A deathly faintness came over her, but
she rallied with great effort, and sale
as calmly as she turned her whitening
cheek away, "He was my son sir"
They did not see her face as she
/ walked quickly but firmly from tn,
room.
"Now God forgive me! 1 feel as if
had done cowardly thing" murmeret
# the officer, while his lips grew pale will
h emotion. Coming here to partake o
+ this woman's hospitality, I have cruell,
" stabbed her to the heart"
h ''You are not to blame, my friend,
said Washington, in his deep tones, i
! which was bleded sudden pathof
J. Neither, if read Alright would she re
/ call the child bravely fallen in his coun
o try's cause. That is no common woman
q Her very face speaks of her souls nc
e bility. Mark me-when you see he
again she will be fearless; no words O
ss sorrow will issue from her lips. Gu
mothers-our wives, am proud to sa
D. it-are heroines in this trying period
le And this" he continued, pointing t
n. the Bible-''this is the secret of the
r. greatness. Wherever you behold tn
til volume open, bearing evidence of COZ
I'd slant perusal, there you will find wome
th equal to any emergency. 1 repeat j
d. when we meet her again she will |
ut calm and fearless, although a moth
as bereaved of her child"
ed And SO it was. Madame Pierpo
had schooled her grief for the time i
&c to sudden and sacred submission; Al
x. when the officers were called into a
or other room, to partake of the smokiI
yiands she had prepared. they fou1