Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-06-24
Miscellany.


"Ho hol" be cried, as up and down
He rode through the streets Of Windham town
"Hol ho for the day Of peace is done,
And the day Of wrath too well begunl
Bring forth the grain from your barns and mills ;
Drive down the cattle from OF your hills;
For Boston lsth in sore distress,
Pallid with hunger and long duress:
Her children Btarve, while she hears the beat
And the tramp Of the red-c0ats In every street"
"what. hoi What, holr Like storm unspent.
over the hill-sides he came and went;
And Parson White, from his open door
Leaning bare headed that August day,
while the sun beat down on his temples gray,
Watched him until he could see no more
Then straight he strobe TO the church, and hung
His whole soul into the peal he rung,
Pulling the bell-rope till the tower
Seemed 20 rock in the sudden shower.
The shower Of sound the farmers heard,
Rendng the air like living word
Then swift they gathered with right good WILL
From field and anvil and shop and mill,
To hear what the parson had to say
That would not keep till the sabbath-dAy.
For only the women and children knew
The tale Of the horHeman gAlloping through
The message he bore up and down
He rode through the streets Of windham town.
That night, as the parson sat at ease
In the porch, with his Bible on his knees
(Thankug God that at break OF day
Frederic Manning would take his way,
With cattle and sheep from OF the hills
Aud a load Of grain from the barns and mills,
TO the starving city where General Gage
Waited unholy war to wagel,
His little daughter beside him stocd,
Hiding her face in her muslin hood.
In her arms her own pet lamb she bore,
As It struggled down to the oaken floor:
1T must go; must give my lamb" !" she said,
To the children that cry for meat and bread
Then lifted TO his her holy eyes,
Wet with the tears OF sacrifice.
NAY, nay" he answered, 'there IL no need
That the lpaftH Of babpg slOuld nrhp aud llead
Run away to your bed, and tomorrow play
You and your pet-through the liyelong day
He laid his hand on her shining hair
And smiled az he blessed her, standing there
with kerchief folded against her breast,
And small brown hands together pressed
quaint little maiden, shy and sweet,
With her lambkin cTouched at her dainty feet
Away to its place the lamb she led,
Then climbed the stairs to her own white bed,
While the moon rose up, and the stars ook ed down
On the silent streets Of Windham town.
But when the heralds Of morning came,
Flushing the east with rosy fame,
With low Of cattle and scurry Of feet,
Driving his herd down the village street
Young Manning heard from low stone wall
A ehilds voice clearly yet softly call,
And saw in the gray dusk standing there
little maiden with shining hair,
while crowdng close 10 her tender side
Was a snow-white lamb TO her apron tied.
"oh, waltz" she cried ''for my lamb must 20
To the children crying in want and woe.
IL is all have" And her tears fell fast
As she gave It one eager kiss-the last.
"rhe road will be long TO its feet. pray
Let your arms be Its bed part Of the way;
And give il cool water and tender grass
Whenever a way-side brook you pass
Then away she hew like a startled deer,
Nor waited the beat Of her lamb to hear.
Young Manning lifted his steel-blue eyes
one moment up TO the morning skies,
Then, raising the lamb to his breast, he strobe
Sturdiy do En the lengthening road.
"Now God be my helper he cried, land lead
Me safe with my charge 70 the souls in need.
Through hre and food, through dearth and dole,
Though foes assal me and war-clouds roll
To the city in want and woe that lies
/ will bear this lamb sAerihce!n
Julia c. r. DorT ia July Hdrper's.