The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-03-09
4 Story Of the Revolution.

A Story of the Revolution.
Just at the close of the Revolutionary
war there was seen somewhere in one
of the small towns, in Massachusetts, a
ragged and forlorn-lOoking soldier COM
ing up the dusty street. He looked
about on the corn fields tasseling for
the harvest; on the rich, bright patches
of wheat ripening for the sickle, aud on
the green potato fields with a curious eye
so, at least, thought Mr.. Towne, who
was walking leisurely behind him, going
home from the reaping to his supper.
The latter was a stout farmer, dressed
in home made brown linen trowsers,
without suspenders, vest or coat. The
ragged soldier stopped under the shade
of great maple, and Mr.. Towne, over
taking him, stopped too.
"HOme from the war ?" he asked.
"Just out of the British clutches"
he replied; "Pve been a prisoner for
years. Can you tell me who lives in
the next house? Is it yours Pr
mo" replied Towns, "TOmpkins
lives there. That house and barn used
to belong to a comrade of yours, as 1
suppose; his name was Jones, but he
got shot at the battle of Bunker Hill,
and his widow got married again."
The soldier leaned against tree.
"What kind of a man is he? l mean
what kind of people are they there :?
Would they be likely to let a poor SOL
dier have something to eat ?u
"If TOmpkins is out, you'll be treated
first-rate there. Mrs. Tompkins is a
nice woman, but he is the snarliest cur
that ever gnawed a bone. She missed
it marrying that fellow; but she had a
hard time getting along; Jones went
soldering, and when she heard he was
dead, she broke right down, and Tomp-
kins came along, worked for her, and
laid himself out to do first-Tate. He
blinded us all, and advised her to have
him, and Pm sorry I did it. You come
home with me. 1 always have a bite
for any poor fellow that has fought for
his country.
"Thank you kindly" returned the
soldier; "but Mrs. Tompkins is distant
"a sort of old acquaintance. The fact
is, used to know her first husband, and
l guess [ will call there.n
Mr.. TOwne watched him as he went
to the door and knocked, and saw he
was admitted by Mrs. Tompkins.
''Some old sweetheart of hers, maybe, ,"
said Mr.. Towne, nodding to himself.
has hard row to hoe now"
Then Mr.. Towne went home to sup
per, and we will go in with the soldier
at TOmpkins'.
"COuld you give a poor soldier q
mouthful to eat ?" he asked of the pale
and nervous woman who opened the
door.
"My husband does not allow me tC
give anything to travellers, but always
feel for the soldiers coming back, anC
Pll give you some supper if you wOn't
be long about it," and she wiped hel
eyes and provided refreshment for the
poor man, who had thrown himsel
into the nearest chair and appeared toe
tired even to remove his hat from hi:
head.
81 am glad to have you eat, and
would not hurry you for anything" SHE
said, in frightened way, "but you'll
eat quick, won't you? for l expec
every moment he'll be inn
The man drew his chair to the table
keeping his hat on his head, as though
he belonged to the society of Friends
but that could not be, for the Friends
do not go to war.
He ate heartily of the bread and but
ter and cold meat-and how long ht
was about it!
Mrs. Tompkins fidgeted.
Dear mep she said to herself. "I
he only knew, he wouldn't be so crue
as to let Mr.. Tompkins come in anC
catch him here"
She went and looked from the window
uneasily, but the soldier gave no tokeI
of his meal coming to an end very soon
''Now he is pouring vinegar on th,
cold cabbage and potatoes. l can't ash
him to take those away in his hand
How slow he isW
At last she dared wait no longer, anC
mildly said to him:
II am sorry to hurry you, sir, but my
husband will use very abusive Language
to you if he finds you here"
Before the soldier could reply, feot
steps were heard at the back of tn,
house, and Il man entered. He stopped
short, and looked at the soldier as
savage dog might look. Then he brok'
out in a tone between a grOwl and
roar:
"Hey-dey, Molly, a pretty piece o
business! What have l told you tim,
and again, madam ? You'll find you'C
better mind your master. And you
you lazy, thieving vagabond, let me Sc,
you clear yourself out of my house anC
off my land good deal quicker thar
you come"
Your house! and yo.g landp' tn,
soldier exclaimed, starting suddenly up
erect and tall, and dashing off his ha
with quick fiery gesture. His eye
flashed with indignation as he con
fronted the astonished Tompkins. Th,
latter was afraid of him, and his wifi
Ad given shrek when the sOldie
nrst started to his feet, and had sunt
trembling and fainting in a chair, fol
she recognized him.
You've 40 business to interfere be-