Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-06-23

with fare such as he wouldn't have the
face to offer to smart dog. wish
could do up paper o .hese doughnuts
for the boy-he al'ays was fond of 'em
Dear me! them cakes are burnin' Clipping
her large tin ladle into the boiling fat
but it al avs illustrates me when | get to
thinkin' o Reuben. I'm reminded some
times o. what Parson Hunter said to me
Mrs. Palmer, you mustn't make an idol OF
your son. He belongs to the Lord
know it's true as Scriptur, but | can't
help thinkin' the Lord'll show marcy
on my weakness, COS he's all I've got,
and after great many struggles, I've
given up he others TO Him; but my life's
bound up in that boy, and if anything
should happen TO him, God knows it
would break his poor mothers heart"
And Mrs Palmer broke down here, and
she sat down on the old oaken chest, and
wiped her eyes on the corner of her apron.
Light warblings of some old psalm-tune
futtered down the staircase, and then the
door opened, and pleasant looking girl
burst into the room. Rebecca Palmer
was twenty-five, and the sight of her
bright, young face was like picture re-
Ijoicing the eyes. She was not beautiful,
but her cheeks were full of the glow of
youth and the richness of perfect health.
well child" said Mrs. Palmer, taking
the kettle from the crane, you just busle
round spry, and get up supper. Yom
father and the men will come clear tucker
ed out, for they've been fellin' trees all day,
and we must get u hearty meal for EN-.
You slice up some ham, too, and fry II dCZ-
en- eggs, while fix up some short cake" p"
"Mother, did you hear the stage horn'n
asked Rebecca, AS she laid the cloth she
had spun with her own hands for the
supper.
Yes; and | was kind of impressed
there was news from Reuben"
II wonder what keeps father so," r.
marked Rebecca.
Likely as not he's gone round to tie
tavern to learn if there's any tidings from
the army.
Another half-hour throbbed itself away
in the pulses of the great, old fashioned
clock in the corner, ard both the women
had begun to feel alarmed at the dea-
cons prolonged absence, when they
caught the click of the gate,atch. AMI
his heavy tread along the foot -patL.
They saw him stop as usual at the woodei
trough at the well, and wash his hands
there, and then come into the kitchen.
"Why, father" began Mrs. Palmer
with wifely admonition, "what has KEPT
you so long? | really begun to get scarce
about you"
And the supper is about burnt to Gin
ders," added Rebecca, who was in some
thing of hurry to get the table CLEARED
in time for singing school.
The deacon was II square built, sun
Drowned man, with shaggy eyebrows and
weather. beaten face. He came forward
to the table with II slow, groping move
ment, which neither of the pre-occuped
women noticed, and he cleared his throat
twice before he spoke.
81 was detained a spell on some matter
of my own," and Mrs. Palmer ant
Rebecca at once concluded that he alluded
to some bargain with II neighbor.
Don't you see the chair there, father?'
asked Rebecca; for the old man stood still
as statue before the table, though hi,
daughter had just placed his seat at his
elbow, and now he sat down without
speaking word.
"Why. husband, | do believe you are
deaf tonight! You haven't taken your
hat off, exclaimed Mrs. Palmer.
Don't wife, don't;' and the old man
laid his straw hat on the floor beside him
The two women bent their heads rever-
emily over the board. waiting for the
deacon to invoke his customary blessing
upon the meal, but no sound broke the
stiffness. Mrs. Palmer looked up at her
husband; his head, too, was bent over
his plate; and a stream of candle light
which fell on his face revealed it fully to
her gaze.
John, something has happened to you
tonight" she said, leaning forward, and
breaLhlcssly searching his face.
A deep corvulsive sort of groan heaved
out of the mans lips, and both the women
grew white as they heard it.
"Oh, what is it, father? do tell us !"
huttered up the frightened voice of Re-
becca.
Mrs. Palmer rose and went to her hus-
band and laid her shaking fingers on his
hard hand. "Oh, John, ii amt anything
about Reubcn?" She cried out the words
as one might if Il sword had stuck sudden.
ly into his heart.
Rebecca had sat still at the table, her
sweet face struck white with wonder and
fear, and her brown eyes fastened on her
parents; but now she sprang up and
dropped down on her knees at the dea-
cons feet. "Oh, father, do say it isn't
Reuben!' and her voice is like her
mothers. The deacon opened this lips
but he could not speak. He took the hant
of his wife and child, and covered them
with his own trembling ones. 20, Lord,
have mercy" groaned the stricken man,
and then they knew.
Mrs. Palmer crept up to her husband
and whispered in faint, broken voice
Just say my boy isn't dead, father.
can bear to hear anything else"
And the deacon made no answer; but
the great tears rolled down his furrowed
cheeks, and it was enough.
F The tidings of the disastrous battle a
Long Island, which closed the summer o
seventeen houndred and seventy six, haC
filled the land with mourning, for thou
sands of widows and orphans had beer
made in that terrible hour when so many
brave Americans lay dead on the battlt
field; and the news of the successful skir
luloi WHICH lOUh pldCc IuG lOllOWlDS
month near Kings Bridge, in New York
was everywhere hailed with gladness ant
gratitude, and the little village of Wood
, stock bore its part in the general rejoicing
, on that autumnal night W hen the stage
fest brought in the tidings. The deacon
family was not the only one in Woodstocl
t to whom the news broughtany sorrow, TO
it was in this engagement that Reubel
had fallen. He was great favorit
through the village, and every heart wa
. filled with sadness when it thought o
! that bright, handsome face lying starl
G and rigid on the battlefield.
. 1t WAS late that evening when Parsol
s Hunter entered the stricken house, fo
, friends and neighbors feared to intrud
on its awful grief. But the tender-h -heartet
: old minister could not rest till he carrie,
/ the sweet balm of his love and faith int
r their broken hearts. Parson Hunter wa
= II tall, white-haired old man, fine repre-
+ sentative of the staunch old Puritan
Q minister, but beneath some statelines
: and austerity of manner beat hear
] where were all fair and fragrant blossom
S and golden fruits of charity and love-,
hn -, -