The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-18
VERMONT PATRIOTS.

In the year 1778-that is, one hundred
and ten years ago-Vermont was not the
Vermont of to-day. Conflicting claims
had retarded it's growth, and that terri
tory bounded by Lake Champlain on the
west and the Connecticut river on the
east was somewhat behind the other
States in population. The Green mount
aims running parallel with the lake were
sparsely settled; but such inhabitants as
had made their homes in that region
were of the sturdy type. and as "Green
mountain boys" in the Revolutionary
War made notable record in the days
of 1776.
The Wilcoxes' stony farm lay on the
east side of the lake and en- the sunny
western slope of the mountain. From the
Lighthouse, perched on rise of ground,
one could see the blue waters of Lake
Champlain in the summer time, with Fort
Ticonderoga in an emerald background.
To the left was Mount Defiance, on
the summit of which Gen. Burgoyne's
Fourth of July with a battery of heavy
cannon which they had drawn along the
ridge by night, and placed in that COM
manding position.
The scenery in summer was beautiful;
but at this season of the year, the lake
was an ice-feld, the hollows were filled
with snow, making almost dead incline;
and the evergreens on the mountains
were burdened with their white cover
ing.
Grandfather was at first minute
man." That meant to go when you were
called, and no delay. II the horses were
harnessed to the pillow leave them and start;
though when the messenger warned him
out to join Ethan Allen in the taking of
Fort Ticonderoga, sin the name of the
Great Jehovah and the Continental Con-
gress, he did stop to unloose his horses
from the pillow, that they might go home
as q token to his wife that he was of
to the war.
After that with his old hint-lock gun,
he had joined the patriots under the COM
msnd of Schuyler, had marched by way
of Lake Chsmplain to Canada, and after
the taking of Montreal came home, his
term of enlistment having expired. But
that was only for grandma to buckle on
his sword again to meet Burgoyne. The
old forts right under their very noses
had been recaptured by the British.
The summer passed; and grandma with
Reuben's help, had tended the farm and
cared for the horses, COWS and sheep.
Many time grandma had said: "When
John gets home, won't he be surprised to
find things in such good SHAPED The corn
is in the crib, plenty Of hay in the barn;
and 1 guess he'll enjoy having plenty of
milk to drink"
The second battle of Saltwater had
been fought in October, and Burgoyue
compelled to retreat to Saratoga, where
be surrendered to the rebels. The pros
poets was good for little respite, and
grandfather had sent word he would be
home on New Years Day. In honor of
so great an event, the house had under
gone a thorough overturning. To be
sure, there were but two rooms, and
bit of dust was never allowed lodging
place; but that made no difference. An
extra scrub with soap and sand was in
dulged in, and now, on this January
morning everything was in prime order
for the reception.
Grandmother WAS up early in the morn
ing busy with her household duties. She
was going to give grandfather a royal
dinner. I don't know but, if she should
see the word "royaP' applied to one of
her dinners, she would rise out OF her
grave and order the obnoxious word
stricken out; she SO thoroughly detested
anything savoring of the crown or Tory
ism. The chicken, miDce, and pumpkin
pies, plum pudding and loaves of brown
bread-whest bread there was none
were done to turn, and stood on a shelf
waiting to be eaten. The turkey gobbler
that was master Of the barDysrd on Christ
mas DAY, and Wanted his red muller and
spread tail, to the utter disgust of the
more soberly attired fowls, Invested of
all his fine feathers, was sputtering and
sizzling in the tin baker before the FIRE
place. The potatoes, already peeled,
were in pan of water on a side table,
waiting to be put in kettle of boiling
water that hung on the crane to receive
them. There was a general air of ex-
pectation about the place.
Grandma had been on tiptoe for two
hours. Between little nervous touches
OF things here and there, she would open
the door and look toward the lake or cast
a hasty glance out OF the window,-look-
ing, longing. hoping, fearing.
The Dutch clock with its polished face
stood against the wall in lofty dignity
and slowly tolled the hours. 1t struck
eleven, twelve; and, as the hands travelled
on toward one o'clock, grandma dropped