The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-04-11

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"Oh. John, dee I" and the wife of
John Edgeworth 3nn into the little
parlor, where be Us seated thought.
fully before the &c, one December
night, "one Of theboldiers that have
just come into tow has been billeted
upon rs"
Arms. and engs6e bed for him,
Mary" be quietly said. Eve can't
have him here, md Matte, poor
child. going to bo married tonight. "
"Oh, bless your heart, John. this
isn't q common sddier. He's 9 SER
geant, and one wonld think, from the
way be atrutted 3. that be was q
colonel. When J proposed to get q
bed for him outsi@e, be bridled up,
and says, with = much authority as
if be was talking DO a landlsdy. "If
you can't Accommodate me with o
bed, l can pass she night on the
rug before the psilp Ere A soldier,
you know, can dep soundly. how
ever hard bis bed So here I'll stay
says he"
"And here I'1E stay" echoed q
laughing voice; std the speaker, a
tall, manly fellow. httired in the dress
of British sergeant, strobe into the
room. "The fact lie, sir" be contin-
ued, addressing John Edgeworth,
II am inclined 10 think, either your
good lady must \ q most unloysl
subject Of his gracious majesty, King
William, in denying a welcome to
! one of the pillars Of bis throne, or
that tonight, at hast, she is unwill-
ing to lay an offering at the feet Of
that beautiful household-god, hospi.
tality."
Here one of tie pillars of King
Williams throne dropped majestic.
ally into chair, eomplacently strok.
ling, ss be did so, : beard and mus
tsche dark and luxurious.
my good man. John Edgeworth
replied, my wife and myself have
always regarded and fulfilled, as a
pleasing duty, the entertainment Of
soldier billeted upon US; but to-
night, the presence of any one be-
yond our small family circle must
prove embarrassing in the extreme.
MY daughter is to be married to-
night, and
"Oh, do not imagine for . moment,
my good sir" interrupted the ser.
geant, "that l shall end my situation
embarras sing. ! assure you, l am
always very well at my ease. And
q wedding! Uf all things, excepting
of course the delicate amusement of a
battle feld, wedding delights sol
der. 7"
"We must endure bis society,
Mary" John Edeeworth said, in q
low tone. to bis wife. "Do not let il
annoy you, my dear; for Mattie's
||ss:. |sss:; es sAs's'sl Is Amy with
"She ISL answered his wife. sigh.
ing deeply as she spoke. "God bless
Amy Bradley"
"God bless her," John Edge.
worth said.
"God bless her !" echoed the ser.
geant. and continued. rapidly, "Yes
God hess all as good as she is. Is
she your daughter, sir ?"
"She is not," John Edgeworth
sterniy said. "And remember, my
man, though we are compelled to
give you shelter for the night, any
further impertinence on your par,
will be reported to your officer"
Pardon my impertinence, then.'
replied the sergeant; and bis soften
ed tons arrested the steps of the cou,
pie, as they we're leaving the room
land hear me- for o moment Per.
hsps you both have q little corner in
your memories occupied by the dear
old room in your childhood's home,
where you used to sit during the
long, wild winter nights before q fire,
blazing away as merrily as that one
over there is blazing now, and watch
the flames as they burst forth from
their prison and shed o faint splendor
through the yloom-I think you
have. Almost every one has. ]
know that ] have; and tonight,
when l was passing the window
here. and ssw the light of that pleas.
ant FIRE streaming through the chinks
in the shutters, the shadow of many
sorrowful years was lifted from my
heart. was again Q happy little
lad. sitting at my dear mothers feet
nv head upon her knee. and tracing
with wondering eyes the quaint pic.
lures of the flames. Well for you
! poor fellow thinks /. to keep this
memory fresh TO Light And so ]
| entered here / have been rude, bu,
pardon the roughness Of q soldier .
Mrs. Edgeworth burst into tears.
IBID the poor fellow stay, john y
she sobbed.
Aud John Edgeworth with q fsl
tering voice welcomed the sergeant,
for both husband and wife saw again
in that same room, . little boy kneel-
ing before the Ere searching with
earnest eyes the secrets of its bright
mysteries.
When be was left. alone, the SER
geant drew bis chair over to the
window and sat down there. He
had scarcely done 80, when the door
was opened, and a young girl entered
the room. She did not notice hia
presence there, for she went over to
the ERE, and remained standing be-
fore il. Her face was partly turned
toward him, and the sergeant gazed
upon it with deepening interest !
told its own story, that sweet face
palmer than many words it told that,
lovely as it was, sorrowful tears bad
marred itsgentle beauty and though
now . smile frightened over it, that
smile was the shadow of some pleas
ant memory, and now the light of a
present joy. A domestic came in,
and started when she saw the young
girl.
II thought you were up stairs,
Miss Amy"
Miss Matte wished to be left
alone for auhile Nancv - she an.