The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-12-09

Jnty Will Dt OUnpIS
who have stepped into line"
sob, mother! do not speak thus,n
cried one of the daughters, in agony.
-" And why, my child2 Are we to
finch If called to face the inevitable
consequences of WARP"
The next morning, as the rising sun
was turning all the frost stars into dia-
monds, Molly Sanger mounted the sor-
rel colt to ride away to the eastward,
over the billy forest road, the twenty
miles to Pomfret. Just as she was Civ
ing the last charge to her daughters,
behold, there came down the footpath
that crossed the spur of the hill from
Walcotts road her husband and her
three sons, foot-sore and weary, but
striding bravely on like men who have
at heart purpose strong as life. As
they came up the girls were almost
wild with joy; but their mother de-
manded, in steady voice, holding fast
the sorrel's bridle-rein with both hands
AS the intelligent creature pranced,
as he had been taught to do by his
young masters, and gave neigh after
neigh of recognition and delight:
"How is this? You cannot have
DSOn uioNh"iB Ou III luc pTcScuJ great
need of men, and it is not possible that
you are deserters."
"We came on leave to cut and haul
your winters wood"
And you take hree-hundred-mile
walk for thatl" cried Molly Sanger, in
dignantly. elf we cannot cut wood
for ourselves so long as God gives us
health, we deserve to freeze. We
have not been idle and have a good
supply on hand, you see," and she
pointed to pile almost as large as the
plain little brown house, Z" so there is
nothing for you to do but to march
back again on the morrow. l am saved
the ride to POmfret by your coming"
And she proceededto unstrap the big
bundle from the pillion of her saddle.
." We thought it would be good to
pass one more Thanksgiving all to-
gether," said the husband and father,
looking at his wife in puzzled way, as
if he could not recognize the spirit by
which her frail, slight body seemed to
be possessed.
I" And that, you know, is tomorrow"
said the oldest son.
{" We supposed you would kill for us
the fatted calf" laughed the second
son, who had not before spoken; and
the youngest came nearer and caressed
the head of the sorrel colt, as he said:
" l plighted my troth to Lucy Lilli-
bridge the night before / went away.
She has no home excepting where she
is at work. Were we married, whatever
happened, you would not refuse her a
home with YOU"
"She would have the same right to
home with me as any of my daughters.
She is a discreet, honest, industrious
maiden, and hath kept her secret well.
l will go fetch her and Parson Noble
also;" and, giving the girls instructions
regarding dinner for the home-comers,
she galloped away.
At night-fall she returned alone.
" Parson Noble could not leave the
prayer-meeting he had appointed for
the evening, over to the westward on
the Willimantic river road" she ex-
planned, and Lucy Lillibridge had to
go to Stafford street with rolls she had
been carding. Both will be here at sun
rise to speed you on your way"
e" Not just one day over for rest,
mother?" queried the Oldest girl.
" Not one day, daughter, and Lucy
is of my mind"
All night Molly Sanger was busy with
pots and pans in the connecting of
savory messes. Each of the four loved
ones favorite dish was carefully pre-
pared, but in no other way did the
patriotic woman show that her heart
held one soft spot.
Next morning, as the gray dawn broke
over the dreary landscape, Parson
Noble galloped up the Fenton river
road, and almost Immediately Lucy
Lillibridge came galloping down from
Moose Meadow.
AS they entered the house, the door
OF the keeping-roOm was thrown open,
and there was Thanksgiving break
fast as temptingly prepared and as
daintily served as any Thanksgiving
dinner or supper would be in the town
ship on that day. They gathered about
the table, and the meal was eaten amid
much grave and earnest talk.
Parson Noble led in prayer, and then
Molly Sanger opened the eastern door
to allow the first beams of the rising
sun to shine in upon the young couple
as they were united in holy wedlock.
AS the four soldiers left the door to
march away again at their country's
call, Molly Sanger led out the sorrel
colt, saying to her husband, "Take
him to the officer who granted you
leave of absence, and tell him we give
it in return for the daughter he has
given u.s."
''The colt was sent that they might
ride, turn and turn about" Parson
Noble used to say in telling the story,
" but it would not have been Molly
Sanger had that fact been limited"
When, a short time later, news came
to the lonely farmhouse of lively
skirmish, Molly Sanger said:
Our brave fellows were none too
soon. Let us be thankful that our
wood-pile was not so high as to hide
four brave soldiers from the enemy, or
our Thanksgiving dinner so tempting
as to keep them over at home for day
to eat it. "-SprinQfeld Republican.
For all diseases of the kidneys
and liver physicians prescribe HUNTS
la