Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-01-28
Checkers Up"

''Sq1ire johnson and his wife wers en-
gagged in game Of Checkers Up at the
Farm, while two Of their children were
playing ''Hidc and Seek, and third was
Blowing Bubbles, when there came
gentle Tap ON the Window The squire
went 10 the door, and discovered on the
porch basket containing neatly attired
female infant, with smile playing about
its mouth, as il it were listening to ''Fairy's
Whisper The Founding" was taken
in and adopted, and playfully weighing
the Baby on his hands, the squire said its
name should be Mary. The children stop
ped their play, and enc Of them thought
fully observed ''The baby's asleep. and
We Boys mustn't make noise" Years
rolled on, and Mary developed into a
beautiful and intelligent young woman. At
school she was '.The Favored School, and
her essay at the school Examination"
was pronounced the best. She had MANY
suitors, but when only sixteen she gave her
heart 10 John Rawjiers, a nelghbor's son,
whom she frequently met as he was Go
ing for the Cows" and they began their
''Courtship in Sleepy Hollow" romantic
spot on Squire JOhnson's S farm. The war
broke out, and after Council of War
at "Washington," a proclamation was
issued calling for volunteers. Johns
mother wanted him To join THE Home
Guard, but he said he must obey the call
of his country. Being good horseman,
and expert az "Poi' he decided 70 become
u member af a cavalry company. With a
Parting Promise, " he bade Mary fearful
farewell. Mary stood on ''The Balcony"
and waved her lover a fond aGeu as the
troops marched by. And now came days
of painful suspense and weary waiting.
Every EMAIL Day Mary visited the '-Coun-
try Post Office One day she stopped at
''The Town Pump to listen to a '.Fugi-
tive's Story She heard Of cruel hardships
to which ''Union Refugees were subjected,
and was told how Wounded Scout"
shot whilst trying TO pass a ''Picket Guard, +"
begged in his delirium that might have just
''One More Shot, at the enemy-and died
On his body the fugitive found the photo
graph of a beautiful girl, which he exhibited
to his listeners. As soon as Mary saw It she
tainted. 1t was her own portrait which she
gave her lover on the day of his departure.
She now mourned him as dead. Spring
followed winter-as uSual-and on bright
UN u
liar knock at the door. With face as pale
and wan as that of Charity Patient she
the summons. Iu the emaciated
form of the Returned Volunteer who
greeted her vision she recognized her lover
The people of Failing Water were not more
surprised at Rip Van Wrinkles Return
If,er his long nap, than was Mary at the
sight Of John. IL took but few minutes
Tor him to explain how ne was left for
lead on the field-reviveG- subsequently,
was captured by the enemy, and spent eight
months in a rebel prison. With Mary
playing Doctor" and nurse, John was soon
restored to complete health, and the follow
ing September they might have been seen
Coming to the parson. And now their
bright boys, as merry and full of pranks as
THE Shaughran and 'Tatters,' y go to ''Un-
,le Ned's School, and often stop on the
road to drop penny into the hat Of the
Street Musicians, or price the wares Of
''The Peddler" resting by the roadside.