Telegram-herald., 1891-06-26

VHStE, 8n< ellu w u Drsts&BeSSS toRVsSIscvs
''trtii ne der
II was on the evening Of the twelfth
Of September. in tho year seventeen hun
dred and seventy seven- The yellow
sunlight streAmed in through the win,
dows. and all the room was full Of the
good smell Of supper. The blue china
cups and ssucers and plates and dishes,
the pewter spoons. and the iron knives
and two pronged forks. polished till they
shone like silver, caught the light and
winked and sparkled and twinkled back
again at the broad yellow patches Of
light on the floor.
Friend Sparks and his family sat at
supper, but though the smell OK it was
30 good the knives and forks and spoons
clattered in listlcss fashion, and the
family ate and drank without much
heart in the matter.
II don't know" said Friend Joseph,
laying down his knife and fork and look
ing around at his daughters. and more
especially at his niece, Matte Dixon
81 don't know what it Is that sets you
girls so agog over q laced hat and epau-
lets and blue coat and brass buttons.
Hero was General Washington and his
army not more than a month In town.
and now, because he has gone and takes
away with him his snipe jack aids-de-
camp and captains and majors, all the
women in Wilmington and Brandywine
are in the vapors-"
Now men are not quick at seeing
things. but the women knew very well
why Matte Dixon's eyes were red. In
deed. q gloom had fallen upon them all
ever since . young farmer bad ridden
down from Chadd's Ford that morning.
bringing the news Of great battle that
had been fought up the Brandywine.
Later in the day two farmers wagons
had passed through tho village, bringing
each a load Of wounded men lying in the
straw.
But Friend Joseph Sparks did not
notice Mattis's red eyes.
II do not" said he presently. separat-
ing the don't in bis emphasis do not
see what it il about shredder OF blood
that turns . womsn's head 1, for one,
should be sorry 10 see a daughter or q
nisx,e of mine tied 20 such an unregener-
ate. soulless sou of Anak rs one Of those
Young men who mako bloodshed trade,
and think that . blue coat and brass but
tons excuse murder. Now there was
battle fought yesterday" no continued,
leaning back in his chair and folding his
hands, and no doubt a many likely
young men killed or MANNED for hfe.
There was that Philip Van Cleid who
came here so often when The worthy
Friend Wa Suddenly interrupted In his
monoloxue by Matte Dixon rising so
precipitateIy ~ to knock her chair over
backward with loud chatter upon the
floor. and then hurrying from the room
without = word. feeling in her pocket
for her handkerchief NJ she went.
Friend Sparks stared after her with
open eyes A momentsry pause fol
lowed a. the door banged behind the girl
How could thou talk 80. Joseplir said
the good mother presently. "Dstinv thou
see that is wss - much - she couid do
10 contain her sp,riss~ Then she. too,
pushed back her chair and followed her
niece.
aposheratson- ssii Friend Sparks.
and then ne aiso pushed back his char
with loud scrsps upon the floor. and
taking hrs pipe from thu msntel shelf.
filed u With tobacco and he IL With
coal bs choss v-ry carefully from thu
emnrvs On The hearth.
His three daughters, Rebeccs, Mary
Jane and Susan. ssid nothing. but ~ ne
went ont u the dom in swfrling esoed
~ soh~sco sxnsk- they exchanged very
meaning rssrces
Fri~nd Jo~rph SPARKS wss one rishs
well known in the milling circles II his
dav, = wealthy man - times went,
k-en bargssner. but ~ hane~s - TIE PAIN
81 your hand He was the owner Of
thr~e ~ The lsrg.~s ~ the Brsndywtne
mills. ard sat 10 the gallery, ~ Il va
sail.-i. in Friends meeting. fev. Hike all
~ ~ Brsssywine mili<rs. be was
luakws