The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-09-22
Mistress Putnam's Tea.

MES prior to the revolution was aban-
doning the use of tea, the browning
glory of their social parties. Unde-
niably the tax laid by the mother coun-
try was extremely light, and but for the
underlying principle, the refusal to pay
it would have been foolishness. But
the battle between George Ill. and
his people was transferred to American
soil; the surrender of CORVALLIS was
the triumph OF the people and the de-
feat of the king. AS early as 1888 some
thoughtful minds foresaw the rupture
between the colonies and the mother
country, and fully realized the terrible
price in money, blood and tears with
which independence must be bought.
OF this class was Colonel Putnam,
man of strong will, intense prejudices
and generous disposition. Inheriting a
fair fortune, well-educated and hospit-
able, his large, gambrel-roofed man
sion at Enim had been the center of
colonial gayety. His pretty young wife
made charming hostess, and Mistress
Putnam's tea-drinkings were the de-
light of her neighbors. But, alas for
Bohea and HysOn, Souchong and I'M
perial, their reign was over. New York
and Philadelphia sent back their ships
with the fragrant cargoes of assorted
teas, and Boston was firmly resolved
that, come what might, not a pound of
taxed tea should be landed in her har
Dor. All over the state private indig-
nation meetings were held, and heads
of families and householders sternly
promised that tea should be banished
from their tables. Colonel Putnam
was one of the first to pledge his word.
Mistress Putnam's bright eyes
sparkled with anger when the colonel
ordered that no more tea should be drank
beneath his roof. " But you know,
colonel" said the lady," this tea was
imported last year, and paid for then,
and shame it were to suffer the excel
lent herb to be wasted"
d" Nevertheless, Mistress Putnam, it
must be as l have said; l have given
my word, never yet broken, that there
shall be no more tea-drinking in this
house. No doubt goodly cargo of
tea will sail into Boston harbor about
Christmas, but we are determined it
shall never be landed; better ship and
cargo should sink than an ounce be
sold our people," and the colonel struck
the table blow with his clenched hand
that made the china ring. The lady's
cheeks burned Stored away in her
pantry were chests of Bohea, Imperial
and Hyson of the best quality. For
Mistress Putnam prided herself upon
her delicious tea, which was always
served in the finest porcelain. If tea
was bauished from her table, that tea
set, the pride and admiration of her
life, would be practically useless.
However, she had learned at the cost
of not few tears that her stately hus-
band was master in his house. She
watched him covertly, as he sat oppo-
site, washing down the delicate, flaky
biscuits with glass of rich yellow milk
knowing him perfectly capable of sub
shutting the clear cold water from the
spring for either coffee or milk if prin-
ciple required the sacrifice. Remem-
Der, Chloe, no more tea in my house"
he said, as the favorite dusky hand
maiden brought fresh supply of bis
cults. The girl, bewildered, turned in
quiringly to her mistress, but the lady,
dreamily watching the rose-vne full of
musky sweetness swinging by the lat
tice, gave no sign of attention. Chloe,
being shrewd and quick-witted, saw
something had gone wrong, and guessed
that the tea was at the bottom of the
trouble, but only saying, " Yes, massa," "
passed into the kitchen.
The colonel finished his supper, and,
taking his pipe, seated himself under
the broad elm tree in front of the
house. And Mistress Putnam, after
washing and wiping her precious china
restored the pieces to the shelves OF
her buffet and retired to her own
room. Chloe ate her own supper
and having all in readiness for the
morrow sat on the kitchen step with
her knitting, thinking over her mas
ter's strange command. She remem-
bered her mistress had invited a few
friends to tea on the morrow, and how
would the ladies ever get on without
their favorate beverage? Then she fell
to counting over the chests of tea
stored in the pantry, and the wonder
grew; till, resting her dusky head agains
the door-post, she dreamed the colonel
was making bonfire in the front yart
of his wife's tea-chests and their con
tents. Next morning while Chloe was
raking open the Goals in the kitchen
fireplace she heard the colonel order
ing Pompey to bring round brown Hec
tor directly after breakfast.
" Massa's goin' away-to Salem,
reckon; he alters rides Hector to Sa
lem," muttered Chloe, as she piled the
bellows and watched the curling flames
leaping from twig to twig and climbing
up the large sticks piled Systematically
on the brass andirons. The colonel
seemed in the best of spirits, and Mis-
tress Putnam particularly anxious t.
please him. The cloud between them
whatever its cause, had melted away
Breakfast over, Mrs. Putnam stood il
the doorway-her bright, brown hair
guiltless of powder, drawn simply bach
from her low, broad forehead, secured
by high comb, standing high above
her shapely head-chatting gaily will
her grave proved husband. He smiled
gravely as, mounted on brown Hector
he looked down upon her, saying: "
may not tarry, how wilt spend the day
for | look not to return till the lat'
evening"
81 have invited few friends to 81
an hour or two with me; be not anxious
shall not be lonely" returned tn