St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-06-30

hungry lovers who frequented the Com
mon, came to know her; and though
many II rival apple stand from time to
time disputed her right to monOpolize
the trade in stomachache, they soon
had to eat their own candy, and to
fold their tents like the Arabs, and
silently steal away"
One day the gentleman who had
learned of her his first lessons in Chris
tIanltN, passing her stand, noticed some
new flags of truce floating from her
pippins. ''Who wrote these, Aunt
BetSry - he asked, pausing to look at
the placardS.
"Oh. Tommy did them. sir. He's
amazingly smart ut such things He
can write like Il school master"
"And how old is he now ?"
Going on fifteen and Pm thinking,
sir, it, about time he was doing some
thing. might support him some longer.
but he's larncd all he can out of college =
hat does he take to? -
"Well, he wants to he IL merchant.
| suppose he gets Il hankerin' arter it
from my benz in the business but
there's Il world of wickedness between
huyin' and selln'. Don't We think he'd
better he II lawyer?"
"A lawyer? There's not an honest
lawyer living. Let him he IL merchant
Send him down to my counting room
to-mOIrOw.'
Tommy went, and So became under
clerk i'll Il large commercial house ON
Central Wharf. When he drew his first
months pay he brought it home, and
pouring it all int" his grandmothcr'>
lap, threw his arms about her neck
and said:
Nov, grandmother, You shall shut
up shop; | won't have no more of yolu
selling apples"
But the old woman was not so easily
lured fInm the walks of commerce.
She did not shut up shop" She still
kept her stand on the Common hut in
summer she Staid at home on rainy
days. and in winter laid by. like the
frogs. doing neither washing or sewing.
50 three years Went away. and then
Sumter fell. and President Lincoln
called for seventy five Thousand volun-
tecIS {" suppress the rebellion. When
| Tommy Went home that night with the
news. his grandmother WAS thoughtful
for Il time; then. looking in his face.
she said "TommN. hadn't you ought
l." do something for the country ?"
~ on mean | ought to volunteer p
said Tommy
Yes: if Mr.. Spccgle is willing"
Mr. Speegle WAS willing; and so.
soon atterward. Il queer scene WAS Wit
messed on the Common The whole
parade ground was in commotinn. \
regiment. which had been under re-
] 4 IL,
gatewaN>. and the old woman. perched
on her thIee-lrggcd stool WAS wildly
/ waving her umbrella. and at the top of
her lungs. cheering the departing sol
dirr>. At her back sat Il little maiden
holding her head in her hands. and try
ing to hide her tears in heI handkcr-
chief. This wa> Rose; and Tommy
WAS going away with the regiment
He WAS away several months. and
then came back. re-enlistcd, and went
away again, leaving his bounty with his
glandm"thrr. After this he was htteu
heard from. and always with honor ::
and the old woman seemed to grow
Young again. in recounting his daring
deeds to some patient listener at her
apple stand. Just to think" she
would say, with tears in her eyes. THAT
Il poor woman like me should rear such
a brave boy for the country :"
At last news came of Il great battle.
| Thousands, ;iS was said had fallen on
| both sides and every morning. with Il
beating hc:iIt. the old woman went to
the mail for Il letter from Tommy But
no letter came. and Il few days later she
found his name among the list If those.
i'll the great struggle. who had died for
their country.
| She went home that night. and the
next morning did not 90 as usual upon
| the Common. Noticing her absence.
Mr. Sprcglr went To her humble home
at nighttlll. The curtains were down {:
hut III the din light hr SAW her stretch
ed upon her bed. and Rose knecling 10y
her side. weeping. He took her hand
but something" in her face kept back
the words he would have spoken. After
Il moment she said MIR. Spccglr. I'm
glad Non re- come. owe You and Nou
owe me: but ! guess the balance is in
my favor. Pay il To Rosy"
| Il WILL" said the man. his voice
| husky.
She made N" reply. but lay many min
uteS without speaking. Then. clutchng
the Young girls hand. she said Rosy.
I'm going: but love the Lord and some
day we will he together again forever" ="
Then her head sunk back. and she
went went to live in home even
higher above, the earth than the top
floor of that lingy old house ar the
North End of Boston.
And now. all of her that was ugly
and all that was old, is at lest in Il mar
row grave not Il hundred rods from
where am writing. AT its head stands
Il simple stone. and on it is this inScrip-
ton: "BctSey Sanders, dged eighty Mo.
she ~ns poor and friendIcsS but she
lOrcd GOT and her country"