The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-04-14

lows.
And now they Nlvanced within sight
of nj least two hundred men and boys,
every one of whom worked away As
though his life depended on cutting a
certain amount of willow-boughs in a
given time.
"What does il all mean ?" questioned
Jeremy.
"lt MEANS" replied his companion,
"work for your country to-day with all
your might and main
"But, pray tell me-" persisted Jer-
envy, "what under the sun the things
are for, any way. They're good for
nothing for firewood, green
Mr.. Wooster turned and looked ~
the lad and said: "a good soldier asks
no questions and marches without
knowing whittier. lie also cuts without
knowing for what. Now TO work I"
and at the instant they mingled with
the workmen.
In less than n minute Jeremy's dim
ner-basket was swinging on willow
bough, his coat was hanging protect
ingly over it you must remember that
it contained Jeremy Jagger's birthday
cake), and the lads own arms were
working away to the musical sounds of
a Ratchet beating on a vast amount of
whistle-stutf, until midday and hunger
arrived in company.
AT the signal for noon Jeremy Jaeger
began his birthday feast. He perched
himself on stout willow-branch, hang
ing the basket on conveniently grow
ing peg at his right hand, and, 10y fire.
quent examinations of the store within,
was able to solace two or three lads,
less fortunate than himself, who were
taking the midday rest, refreshed by
plain bread and cheese, seated on
branch, lower down on the same tree.
" 1t isn't erery day that fellow eats 4
his birthday dinner in the woods" he 4
explained, by way of apology for the /
dainties that he tossed down to them in /
the shape of sugar-cake and "spice-
pie" Aunt Hannah was pretty lib
eral with me this morning. | wonder
if she knew any thing, for she said: I'D
find plenty of squirrels TO help eat it,
Where do you live, anyhow" he ques-
toned, after he had fed them.
+" We live in Brookline," answered
the elder. "Well, do YOU know what
under the sun we are cutting such bum
dies of fagots for to-day?" he slyly
being beyond the hearing
Of the ears of his friend, and so safe
from censure.
81 asked Father this morning."
spoke up the younger lad (of not more
than nine years., land he told me he
guessed General Washington was 90
inc TO take Boston on the ice, and every
soldier was going to carry a bundle Of
fagots along, so as to keep from sink
ING if the ice broke through"
This bit of military news was received
with shouts of laughter, that echoed
from tree to tree along the line of the
brook, and then the noon day rest was
over. The wind began to blow in cool ;
sr and faster from the sea, and busy {
hands were compelled to work fast to
Keep from stiffening under the power !
If the growing frost.
When the new moon hung low in the !.
vest and the sun was gone the brook
'ide, the cart-path, even the swampfell i
back into its accustomed silence, for the
in groups of eight or ten, had
rom minute to minute gone homeward,
eaving huge piles Of fagots near the |
og-bridge 5
Jeremy Jaeger went early to bed that /
light. His right arm was weary and
lis left arm ached; nevertheless, he :
vent straightway into dreaming that I
10Th arms were dragging his beloved [
mother forth from Boston. I
At midnight his companion of the 5
morning came and stood under his
and tapped lightly !
nth a bean-pole against the glass, to Z
waken him.
Jeremy heard the sound, but in his q
ream thought it was a gun fired from !
ne of the ships in the harbor at his /
lother, and himself, and Boston. d
"Jeremy, get up!" said somebody, il
,uching his shoulder. I
"Come, mother!" calculated Jeremy, d
at the air and uttering tie {
lords under tremendous pressure. 4
"Come yourself, lad" said the some Fl
ody, shaking him a little roughly; 4
'hereupon Jeremy awoke. "Get up, d
art. Put on the hay-rigging. Stay, Il
lust help you to do that; but hurry" g
Jeremy rubbed his eyes, wondered Il
hat had become of his mother, and t.
ow Mr.. Wooster found his way into the o
ouse in the night, and, lastly, what was Ii
, be done. Furthermore, he dressed II
18th speed, went to the barn and awak-
ned the oxen by vigorous touches and Il
loving words. d
"Get up get up" he importuned, Il
and work for your country, and may il
9 you won't be killed and eaten for your b
,untry when you are old" The large, n
atient eyes of the oxen slowly opened Il
Ito the night, and after awhile the Wig c.
rous strokes and voiceful "get ups!r q
their master had due effect. II
Mr.. Wooster helped to adjust the b
~ Al Il -