The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-02-12
HOME FROM THE WAR.


Just at the close of the Reyolu-
tionary War there was seen some
where in one of the small towns OF
central Massachusetts ragged and
forlorn-looking soldier, coming up
the dusty street. He looked about
on the corn-telds tasselling for the
harvest; on the rich, bright patches
of wheat for the sickle, and on the
green potato-felds 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, dressed
in homemade brown linen trowsers,
without suspenders, vest, or coat.
The ragged soldier stopped under
the shade Of great spgar-maple,
and Mr.. Towne, overtaking him,
stopped also
dHome from the WARP" he asked.
eJust out the British clutches"
replied the man "I've been prs
oner for years. Can you tell me
who lives in the next house? Is 1t
yours?"
No." replied Towne; "Tomkins
lives there. That house and barn
used to belong to eomrade OF yours,
as I suppose; his name was Jones,
but he was shot at Bunker Hill, and
his widow married again"
The soldier leaned against the
tree. "What kind Of man is he?
I mean what kind Of people are they
there? Would they be likely to let
poor soldier have something to
eat?"
"If Tomkins is out, you will be
treated first rate there. Mrs. Tom
kins is nice woman, but he is Che
snarliest cur that ever gnawed a
bone. He is a terrible surly neigh
Dor, and he leads her dog s life,
She missed it marrying that fellow !;
but YOU see she had hard time OF
it with the farm after Jones went OIL
soldering, and when my son came
back and said he was dead-he saw
him bleeding to death on the battle
field she broke right down, and this
Tomkins came along and got IN to
work for her, and he laid himself out
to do frst-rate. He somehow got on
the blind side Of all of us, and when
he offered himself to her | advised
her to have him, and am sorry |
did it. You had better come home
with me. I always have q bite for
any poor fellow that's fought for his
country
"Thank you kindly" replied the
soldier "but Mrs. Tomkins is dis
tant-a sort Of an old acquaintance,
The fact is, used to know her first
l husband, and | guess l will call
there" "
Mr.. Towne watched as he went to
the door and knocked, and saw thai
he was admitted by Mrs, TomSins
"Some old sweetheart OF hers may.
, be-" said Mr.. Towne, noddinS tc
himself. "He comes too late; ; pool
J woman she has a hard row to hoe
+ now" Then Mr.. Towne went homt
!, ! to supper, and we will go in with thu
soldier.
"Could you give q poor soldier
mouthful to eat?" he asked of th'
pale and nervous woman who openet
the door.
\ "My husband does not allow M
? to give anything to travellers, sh
said, "but always feel for the sol
<. diers coming back, and I'll give 20
some supper if you won't he Ion
about it," and she wiped her eye
with her white and blue checke'
v apron, and set with alacrity abou
providing refreshments for the poo
man, who had thrown himself int
the nearest chair, and with his hea
leaning on his breast, seemed to
tired even to remove his hat from hi
: face ;,
~ am glad to have you eat, and
would not hurry you for anything,
. she said in a frightened way; "bl
you'll eat quick, won't you p? for l e.
:, pect every moment he'll be in.
ID p The man drew his chair to tt
q q table, keeping his hat on his heat
to to as though he belonged to the Societ
Of Friends: but that could not b,
for the "Friends" do not go to tt
wars. He ate heartily Of the brec
y! and butter and cold meat-and no
= long he was about it J
- Mrs. Tomkins fdgetted. ode
20 me, she said to herself, "if he on
knew, he wouldn't be so cruel as
- let Tomkins come in and catch hi
~ here. She went and looked from Il
window uneasily, but the soldi
gave no token of his meal coming
an end. 4,
Now he is pouring vinegar on t
- cold cabbage and potatoes. cal
Vi. ask him to take those away in |
sh- hand. O, dear, how slow be !
ing hasn't the man any teeth?" At Ia
aa nsl she said, mildly: II am very sor
- to hurry you, sir, but could you n
let me spread some bread and butte
:, and cut some slices of meat, to ia
cut cut away with you? my husband will u
. abusive language to you If he I'm
you here"
= Before the soldier could rep
a footsteps were heard on the do'
q stone at the back door and a m
entered. He stopped short, q
looked at the soldier as a savage d
might look. Then he broke out,
a tone between savage growl anl
roar
NJ NJ "Hey-dey, Mollie, a pretty pie