Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-05-22

Philip Larrabee came of good stock
He was descended on his fathers side
from one of those hardy seamen who first
sailed under the now historic flag of our
country In the memorable naval fight
off Portland between the Yankee craft
Enterprise anl the British brig Boxer,
Philips ancestor bore II gallant and con-
spicuous part. 1t was into his arms the
youthful Commander Burroughs fell, re-
fusing to be carried below; he, who
when the sword of the vanquished enemy
was presented to him, clasped his hands
and exclaimed: IL am satisfied / die
conteuted."
On the other side Of the family tree
the fires of patriotism burnt equally as
bright.
Time and time again had Philip, when
4 lad, begged his father to tell him the
story of that memorable fight on the vii
lage green at Lexington, where his grand
father sealed with his hfe's blood his de-
votion to "A just and noble cause.
The life of Philip Larrabee, like that of
his father, seemed destined to be an
eventful one, but one of those fatal cpl
denies which periodically sweep through
a community left pGiip and his sister
Martha, some three years his senior,
alone to struggle against Il cold and I'M
sympathetic world.
Philip and his sister had widowed
aunt who lived on the outskirts of one of
these villages that SO pictureaqucly sit
on the rugged coast Of the old Bay rtgtc;
overlooking the blue waters that con
tinu&lly kiss its shore. In the humble
abode of this good woman, who in every
way tried to heal their grief5 and tit
them for the storm realities Of life, the
two orphan children found :. home and
loving heart Having natural taste
for the water, Philip soon became expert
in the sailing Of it'll" craft.
Martha, under his tuition, in time
could handle q boat almost IS well, and
often she would, while Philip was away,
be seen at the helm managing it with
the ease and Grace of her brother.
Philips eighteenth birthday had come
and gone, and he had now developed into
4 sturdy, well formed young man. One
evening he came home from the village
him, for he rarely missed sitting down
to the evening meal with his aunt and
sister.
II wonder where Phil can be-" said
Martha. Here it is after 7 o'clock and
no sign of him yet"
But in this she was mistaken, fol
elancing out OF the window she saw
Philip rapidly coming up tho road, opel
the gate, and running up tuo neat grave
walk leading to the house, burst into the
room before her aunt had replied TO hel
question.
why, Phil! What is the matter
Has anything dreadful happened at Tia,
village" exclaimed Martha,
"Yes-ycs, everything haa happened
Fort Sumter has been nreI upOn-th,
president has called for troops, and
have eulisted"'
As Philip said this he clasp"1 Marth,
in his strong arms, and before she coal,
recover from her amazemcuI at the start
lin5 news, he pressed warm and loyiE.
kiss upon her lips and continued:
Don't discourage Inc from going
Martha-please don't! feel as thougi
father and mother would rise up III thei
graves and point their fingers at me il
scorn if | refused to respond to our coun
trys appeal Iwould disgrace the bloc,
that flows through our veins if l nov
failed to do my duty"
Philip looked down into his sister
face. a bright smile greeted his glance
> and as she tried to keep back the tear
she said;
, phil, if YOU had done otherwise be
leye | should have hated you as much a
now love you"
The next twelve months were mos
eventful ones in the life of Philip Lara
, bee. With feelings Of pride and JOY, bu
: mingled with fear and anguish, Marth
followed, through the accounts in tn
papers and letters from Philip, the move
ments and deeds of his regiments
pecially 50 when after one of those de-
perate engagements that occurred IN tn
y earlier period of the war she read q
: Philips promotion 10 sergeant and colo
T. bearer. He had seized the regiments
T. flag from the hands of him who rein
j quished il only in death, and had bravel
r carried it through the rest Of that saI
; culinary day till victory at last perche
Il upon its tattered folds.
., Philips regiment, thnned by deaf
. and disease TO less than one-half Of il
d original number, now enjoyed brle
J. season Of rest.
|. In comfortable quarters, consisting {
= log huts built from TO neighboring fol
est, they peacefully and quietly passe
p the winter months il. Va beautiful va
;. 10y of tue Shenando, ~ .n' DIRE
- near, and US it aprons ''.
a arations for the coming caA4l ..
begun, During the oommencemeA-. ,
J. these preparations Philip one day +,
3 oeived orders to report to tho colonel {
n his regiment.
e He found the colonel standing in froI
. Of tho rough fireplace In luis little qua