Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-09
VOL. 74.-3795. NO. 80.

then he told me how his life had been in
danger how he had been set upon by the
foe and badly wounded aud how, at the
risk OF his own life, a fellow soldier had
saved him, and carried him away, fighting
his way back TO camp.
"I'd never seen you but for him." said
my Charlie "And il there's a man on
earth love, it's Rob Hardway-the dearest,
best fellow. We've shared each others RAJ
tions and drank from the same canteen many
and many time; and If had brother
couldn't think more of him."
Why didn't you bring him home 10 see
your mother, Charlie 2" said I. "Why, I'd
love him too and anything I could do for
him, for the man who saved my boys life,
could not be enough. Send for him, CHARLIE
But Charlie shook his head and covered
his face with his hands.
"Mother," be said, al don't know whether
Rob Ifardway is alive or dead to-day. While
| was still in the ranks he was taken pris-
oner; and military prisons are poor places to
live in, mother. I'd give my right hand TO
be able to do him any good but can find
no trace Of him. Aud he has a mother, too,
and she is so fond of him. She lives at
Greenbank-poor old lady. My dear, good,
noble Rob, the preserver of my life."
And saw Charlie was nearly crying.
Not to let us see the tears, he got up and
went to the mantelpiece. / did not look
around until heard a cry. ..
"Great heavens what is il ?"
And turned, and Charlie had the tobacco
pouch the beggar had dropped, in his hand.
"Where did this come from 2" he said.
al feel as though had seen a ghost. gave
this to Rob Hardway the day be saved me.
We soldiers had not much TO give, you know,
and he vowed never to part with it while he
lived. How did it come here, mother ?"
And ! fell back in my chair white and
cold, and said
"A wandering tramp left it here. Never
your Rob, my dear, never your Rob. He
must have been an imposter. | wouldn't
have turned away person really in want.
Oh, no; no; it's another pouch, child, or he
stole it. A tall fellow with blue eyes and
yellow brown hair; wounded, he said, and
going to his mother at Greenbank. Not your
Rob-"
And Charlie stood staring at me with
clenched hands, and he said:
at was my dear old Rob, wounded and
starving my dear old Rob who saved my
life, and you have driven him out in such
night as this, mother. My mother to use
Rob so !"
"Condemn me, Charlie" said I, condemn
me if you like; | am afraid God will. Three
times he came back three times he asked
only for a crust and place to lie, and
drove him away-I-I, and he lying in the
road now Oh, if had knownl Oh, if |
had known" |"
Aud Charlie caught up his hat.
"Tll find him if he's alive" said he. "Oh,
Rob, my dear friend !"
And then-I never saw the girl in such
taking. Down went Drusila on her knees,
as if she was saying her prayers, and says
she:
"Thank God, dared to do it p
And says she again to me:
"Oh aunt, have been trembling with
fright, not knowing what you'd say to me.
took him in the kitchen way. couldn't
see him go faint and hungry and wounded,
and put him in the spare chamber over
the parlor, and have been so frightened all
the while."
"The Lord bless you, Drusilla," said
Charlie.
"Amen !" said l.
Aud she, getting bolder, went on
"And took some hot short cakes and ap-
pie sass and tea," says she, and took him
candle, and hot brick for his feet, and
told him to eat and go to bed in the best
chamber, Aunt Fairfax, with the white
counterpane and all, and l locked him in
and put the key in my pocket, and l told
him he should have one nights rest and no
one should turn him out unless they walked
over my dead body
Drusilla said it like an actress in trag-
edy, and went off into Mysteries the moment
the words were out of her mouth. She'd
been expecting to be half murdered, you
know-and the girl was sixteen-but always
minded me before as if was her mother.
Never was there any old sinner so happy
as was that night, so thankful to the good
Lord and it would have done your heart
good if you had gone to see the two meet in
the morning-Charle and his friend Rob.
And Charlie, who got so well and had
mother who was not poor either, helped
Rob into business. And he got well over
his wounds at last and got as handsome as
a picture, and to-day week he is going to
marry Drusilla.
"Pd give anything have" said I, "and
wouldn't refuse you even Drusilla," when
he asked me, telling me that he loved her
ever since she was so kind to him on the
night I've told you of.
And Charlie is to stand up with him, and
| am to give Drusilla away, and Robs sister
from Greenbank is to be bridesmaid, and
have guess that some day Charlie will
bring her home to me in Drusillas place.
don't drive beggars from the door now
as used, and no doubt I'm often imposed
upon; but this is what l say Better be
imposed upon always than to be cruel to one
who really needs help Aud I've read my
Bible better Of late, and l know who says
"Even as you have done it unto the least of
these you have done it unto me."-Selected.