, 1875-02-06
HONE PROM THE WAR

tionary War there was seen some
where in one Of the small towns Of
central Massachusetts a ragged and
forlorn looking soldier coming up
1.-THE dusty street. He looked about
on the corn-felds tasseling for the
harvest; on the rich, bright patches
Of wheat for the sickle, and on the
green potato fields with curious
eyes-so at least thought Mr..
Towne, who was walking behind
him, going home from the reaping
to his supper. The latter was a
stout farmer. The ragged soldier
stopped under the shade Of a sugar
maple, and Mr.. Towne overtaking
him, stopped also.
Home from the war? he asked.
Just out of the British clutches,
replid the man; I've been a pris-
oner for years. Can you tell me
who lives in the next house? Is it
IyoursY
No, replied Towne; Tomkins
Lives there. That house and barn
used to belong to q comrade Of
yours, as l suppose; his name was
Jones, but he was shot at Bunker
Hill, and his widow married again,
The soldier leaned against .
tree. What kind of a man is hei
l mean what kind Of people are
they theref Would they be likely
to let a poor soldier have some
thing to eat3 A
If Tomkins is out you viii b.
treated first rate there. Mrs. Tom
kins IS nice woman, buthe is tn
snarIiest cur that ever gnawed
bone. Hsis q terrible surly neigh
! bor. and he leads her a dogs life
She missed itmarrying that fellow
but you see she bad hard time O
it with the farm after Jones went
off soldering, and when my son
came back and said he was dead
he saw him bleeding to death on
the battIc6eld-she broke right
down, and this Tomkins came
along and got in to work for her,
and he laid himself out to do first
rate. He somehow got on the
blind side Of all Of US, and when
be offered himselfto her / advised
her to have him, and ! am sorry I
il did it. You had better come
home with me. always have q
lbite for any poor fellow that's
] fought for his country.
Thank you kindly, replied the
soldier; but Mrs. Tomkins is a
distant-a sort Of an old acquaint-
ance. The fact is, I used to know
her first husband, and I guess ]
will call there.
| Mr.. Towne watched him as he
went to the door and knocked, and
saw that he was admitted BY Mrs
ITomkins. Some old sweetheart
Of hers, maybe" said Mr.. Towne,
nodding to himself. He comes too
late poor womani she has hard
roe to hoe now. Then Mr.. TowneI
went home to supper, and we will
lgo in with the soldier.
Could you give poor soldier q
lm6uthful to eatf he asked Of the
pale and nervous woman who came
to the door.
i Ny husband does not allow me
to give anything to travellers, she
said, but always feel for the SOL
ldjers coming back, and I'll give
you some supper if you won't be
Hong about it. / am glad to have
| YOU eat, she said as he drew bis
chair to the table, keeping his hat
on bis head, but you'll eat quick
won't you? for / expect every
moment he'll be in.
The soldier ate heartily Of the
bread and cold meat--and how
long he was about iti
Mrs. Tomkins fdgeted- Dear
me. she said to herself, if be only
knew, he wouldn't be 50 cruel as
to let Tomkins come in and catch
him here.
Now be is pouring vinegar on
the cold cabbage and potatoes.
can't ask him to take those away
in his hand. Oh dear, how slow
he is! hasn't the man any teeth?i