The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-10-30

With changes in the town had come
great cL augss ia s,s,s and nation, some o.
them profound OF Significance The
stormy signs Of discord which bad st Brat
perriered then startled. then alarmed
the people. grew into preparation Tor &C
tusl warfare and at last the full fury OF
civil s,nfe broke upon the excited lsnd.
The simple thread OF our story does not
require tba. We should tell Of the great
uprising -hov husband. father. son. bro-
ther. lover. left their homes aud dear ones
TO do, aad dare and die. Bat when the
regiment marched away there was one CON
pany from the town and its csptrin wss
Harry jackson.
II did i,s duty stesdfsstly and we'll, and
the promise Of the young mems early
ysars bore glorious fruiisgs Of patriotic
service. The four years Of commotion
passed quickly BY. sud the regiment Of
the gallant company oaus home again 10
civil lite.
Many Of them never came back. Some
Of them slept In unknown graves, others
rested in the great national cemetery;
some had penshed on the march 10 the
sea. or had fallen doing gallant duty on
the ocean. and few had suffered the tor.
ments Of southern prison life.::
During oil this time the fame oi Ger.
tain western officer had reached the town
more thsu once. At first II was only
casual notice. but ct last the papers chron
icled the skill OF Major and than OF Colo
mel Hayward. and when the war closed,
the gallant deeds. the eloquence, and the
martial bearing Of General Hayward we're
known oil over the land.
A few years before this time sister OF
Harry Jackson had gone out west to teach
in normal school. and her letters con
tanned much, from time to time about The
admiration Of the people Tor the bravo,
General Hayward
At last one letter announced that she bed
been introduced TO him at great fair Civ
On 10 aid OF the soldiers home, whore be
had delivered speech Of SURPRISING elc.
quence and psthos.
Then later. to the surprise Of her friends
she suddenly came home and told them
that she had decided to give up teaching,
and when the surprise had worn of she
created more by an announcement that
she was engaged to be married to the Gen
eral, and that 10 just two months he WAS
coming east TO claim her ss his bride.
1t would be hard to tell which created
the most excitement, the fact Of her mar.
risge or the fact that the noted officer was
to be in town. Her brother Harry was
chairman OF the selectmen. and be called
. meeting Of prominent citizens to see
whether II WAS advisable or not ~ make
public denomination when the famous
man should arrive. There wss but one
opinion, and when the time hsd really
como she town pns On ~ holiday attire:
The stores and houses we're decorated with
flsQs and streamers; the firemen polishsd !
their machines for the procession, the
town hall was blszs Of glory with ban.
ners. and notices and flowers
Harry had delegated the town clerk to
represent the town, and this official had
gone fifty miles to tender the honor OF
reception to the General The latter at
first declined, but when he heard Of the
pre- separations. and was told how disappoint
ed the people would feel, should he per.
sist in his objection, he relented and yield
ed bimself to the guidance Of the clerk.
After the first meeting the town clerk scan |
red the sturdy form and bearded face Of
the distinguished guest and said:
l can't understand II General. but il
seems TO me you look awfully familiar to
me. but I never saw you before that
know.
Perhape you have, was the answer,
have been East before.
All was stir and esgerness in the town.
The younger boys, and not few OF the
older ones, got positions at the depot as
40 early hour. After several false demands
on their attention. . locomotive decorated
with flags appeared in sight. footing loud
ly, and little later the expected train
s.opped at the ststion. Cannon thunder.
ed from the neighborins hill; the band
played "See the conqurring hero comes.
the people shouted. aud soon, leaning on
the town clerks arm, the General WAS e.
corted to . bsrouche, aud followed by
cheering crowd vas driven to the town
hall, where the remaining town offi'
cisls awaited him.
The hall WAS speedily fill to ito utmost
capacity. The school children, the girls
dressed in Viii e.tbe boys with red, white
and blue ssshes. occupied the front
seats.
Ever, body rose q the guest came 10.
and the cbildren waved their handker'
chiefs and threw H,wers upon the stage.
while the people burrsbed until they we're
hosrse. ~
Harry bad prepared . splendid speeeh1
Of welcome. he bad rebearsed it st home
until be Vas familiar with Every word and
every intended gesture. And the people
expected . great display Of formslity.
The clerk had reached the platform.
closely followed by the tall figure be was
escorting. Harry stepped towards them
and the clerk said:
Mr.. Chairman, have the honor and the
pleasant privilege ofpressnting you TO
our guest. General Hayward. and then
there Was another ou,burst Of enthusi
asm.
rf.> .h syman ard the Gaaaral draw