The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-08-28
soMERsET PA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2s. 1889

war, and ne was very old, for men need
ed no urging to obey the battle call in
those days, came to me and took my
hand.
Let me kiss the hand of brave wo-
man." he said. Il am glad I have lived
this long-ninety years-for l have seen
a true daughter Of America
Then /, too. wept, and leaning on the
Captains arm went to our home. where
never again poverty threatened US or un-
kind thoughts shadowed our days.
Soon, however, grief came, for my faith
or returned soreIy wounded and died in
my mothers arms, his hands in mine,
forgiving me all, even though told him
of the bridge.
Thou art brave maid, ," he said, "ef
the new generation. am Of the old. l
only knew but to fight for my king in
blind faith. l could not learn the lesson
of freedom, but am glad others can,
and that thou and thy children will live
in happier world than mine has been.
Such dear lovers had they been, my
father and mother, that she followed him
in week, dying so painlessly, so happi-
ly, that I thought her only asleep.
People do die of broke7 hearts" said
Mrs. Todd at my mothers coffin. Abi-
gail, do not wish her back. They are
together
How dreary my home was now, and
the time so long. tried to keep things
as she would have had them and
taught little school in our dining room
where our old furniture was. Round
childish faces saw themselves mirrored
in the shining mahogany dresser, bright
young eyes gazed in awe at the pretty
china, or watched with eagerness the sol
emn-faced old clock that pointed to the
hour to escape from tasks, and dimpled
childish lips rippled into decorous laugh
ter when Maltese Matty, such an old, old
cat, crePt siyly into the forbidden pre-
cincts Of the schoolrooln.
As the time went on the Todds moved
to Boston and ! heard seldom from them,
once in a while of John, that he was
winning his way to high position, well
liked by our great Washington and the
other generals. As grew older, and folks
set me down as one who could not mar
~, for had refused some offers that
meant good homes. they gave me the
tollbridge. Once again | returned to the
dear old house. where all grew to look as
it did in nv childborhood. / only miss
ed my mothers soft step and her gentle
presence. And my fathers chair stood
empty. How often 1 knelt by it and
prayed him to forgive me, and rejoic-
ed that at last he had smiled on me as he
had when | was little child.
So years passed, and was p, ten years
from the time l had opened the bridge
and saved the arms 10 the Wings Of
ten thought of it when l walked oct to
the draw at night and listened to the rip
pling water or watched the old man hired
to tend it slowly let the slugeishly-mov-
ing RATS 60 through. / seldom heard
from the Todds now, FOR they were grown
old and their children married and gone
and even the little ones had taught
were growing men and maidens.
One day, thinking Of the past, stroll
ed to the old mirror over the mantel, re-
membering my girlish vanity that day so
longago. was taller now, and could see
myself better as pushed the candlesticks
aside Ny face was no longer round and
rosy, but pale and grave. There were
in my eyes, but my hair was re-
bellious, yet my lips had smiles. Though
there had not been much sunshine in my
life, would not let myself grow sad.
/ sighed at the change and took my
wheel out ON the vine-shaded porch. l
half recalled old times as / looked at
demure descendant Of Maltese Matty
playing with my yarn. Mingling with
the rippling Of the river, the song of
birds, the whir of :he wheel, heard the
sound of coming horses hoofs. / waited
until the traveller should reach the bridge,
but no, he stopped his horse On the turf
Thea there was firm step on the gravel
walk, shadow across the sunshine at
the door | saw the glitter of a uniform,
a strange bearded face with familiar eyes
and then heard voice that somehow
had been ringing in my heart all the
long, long time, say
-These weary years have worked 10
be worthy of you, Abigail. Am l too
late ?"
stammered and blushed, but soon he
knew he was not too late, and l was
proud and glad he had tried to give me
high position, not for liking for that, but
that he 50 loved and respected me. Per-
haps | wished / had donned a prettier
gown or was a fairer woman, but now
know l was the only one he everthought
beautiful, and as his memory had always
been in my heart, 50 had my image
been in his. 1t seemed to me as we walk
ed on the old bridge at twilight that the
rlver rippled benediction on the future
that lay before us.