The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-12-09
Selected storm.
A Thanksgiving Wedding
Breakfast.

In colonial times the Sanger family
lived in what is now known as the For
est Mills neighborhood in Wellington.
According to the facts regarding them
that have been handed down from gen.
Grafton to generation they were pros
porous, industrious folks-able, like
most people in those days, to turn a
hand at anything needful to be done.
Mrs. Sanger, by reason of her carry
ing pale face,' as the women said,
came TO be known as " delicate;" and
in those times in New England there
were few women so favored by hus-
band and children up and growing as
Molly Sanger. She was an adept at all
fine and fancy spinning, weaving, nee
dle-work and knitting, had considerable
book-learning, and was spoken of as
my lady" by some of her more nota-
BILE neighbors. Although these women
were willing enough to accept her
ready assistance about anything within
her province, they were wont to whis-
per confidentially to one and another in
any neighborhood emergency: "Molly
Sanger isn't to be counted on, you
know; she hasn't any backbone"
AT the time of our national struggle
for independence Parson Noble was
the preacher at the old Westinghouse
on Wellington hill. That historic meet
ing-house, that was twenty years in
building, was only just completed, with
minister's pew, pulpit and all, when the
revered first pastor, Rev. Dan'l Fuller
native of Dedham, Mass. a grandson
of that Samuel Fuller who came to this
country in the Mayfower, graduate of
Yale College of the class of 1721-after
a thirty-years' pastorate, died of small
pox December 6, 1858. Parson Noble
was his successor, and, although there
has been handed down regarding his
preaching less than there has about his
fox-hunting, he was good man and a
staunch patriot, and never lost an OPP
portunity of impressing his convictions
upon the people, who looked up to him
as public teacher in political matters
as well as in those purely spiritual.
One Sunday in the spring of 1875
Parson Noble preached so powerfully
upon the issues of the hour controlling
the future of the country that Molly
Sanger's heart was stirred within her,
and without waiting for the closing
hymn or the benediction, she slipped
out, and, mounting her housekeeping
sorrel colt, she galloped away over the
hill through the wood to her own
dwelling. There she found her hus-
band and her three grown-up sons sit
ting on a rock just south of the barn,
talking earnestly.
Sitting in the sunshine, planning
the summers work, while our enemies
are crowding us at every hand!" said
Molly Sanger, Indignantly, to herself.
Riding up in front of them, and still
sitting upon the sorrel colt, she cried:
There is great news this day! Last
night stranger came up Walcutt's
road, on his way from Boston to Hart
ford, stirring up the people to the
enormity of British soldiers holding
possession of the Bay colony, where
dwell our kinsfolk. The stranger
stopped over with Parson Noble, and
to-day that good man laid down before
us our duty. Do you understand what
all this means? Do you comprehend
that there is but one thing for you to do
and that is for you four to rally as many
at once with them to join the army near
Boston? If you go the way this
stranger has come you will find re-en-
forcements at every house."
But the farm?" And the stock?"
And the children?" And yourself?"
AT these four hastily-spoken ques-
tons Molly Sanger's white face turned
perceptibly whittier as she replied:
Z" God has given me, along with all
my blessings, faith in his ability to care
for me and mine. He guided our fathers
and mothers across the sea to these
shores and gave them this country in
trust for us. We hold it for generations
yet unborn. God intends it to be free
country. If the burden of making it so
falls upon us are we to let it slip from
shoulders that have already felt the
British yoke?"
L" We should have gone before now
had it not been that we feared for YOU"
said the Oldest son, speaking out boldly
for all the rest.
We saw the stranger in the meadow,
yesterday, before Parson Noble did, and
heard his story. We have noted the
signs of the times and felt that the hour
was drawing near for some of us to CO."
g You are all to go!'' cried Molly,
impetuously-" l have decided it,"
Without needing her the oldest son
continued:
We remained at home from meet
ing this forenoon to talk the matter over
and to decide upon what is best to be
done, without disturbing you; you are
always so white and thin and frail--"
81 am ironr" interrupted the aroused
mother. My strength has been re-
served for time of need. That hour
has come. You are to try me-"
So the father and the three sturdy sons
marched away in the freshness of the
early May Monday morning, and Molly
Sanger and her daughters, well content,
took hold of the work in the house, the
barn, and on the farm so bravely that
their neighbors were astonished at their
good management, earnestness and per-
severance.
"They are plucky lot, said Esquire
Merrick. "Molly Sanger, for all her
white face, that has been held. up to
her discredit all her life, is showing
more energy and ability in this emer-
gency than all the people put together
who so often have held her up to ridi-
cule."
News from the absent ones came but
oo1lN,.. l,,t -,