The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-09-05
A Saba DAY DINNER.
Tho One Nancy Poundmaster Pre-
pared in Revolutionary Times.

Nancy POundmaSter was SO deepI
engrossed in THE Life and Strang
Surprising Adventures of Robinson
Crusoe, Mariner" that she had quit
forgotten her purpose, to spin at leas
six knots of yarn before shutdown.
The rude appointments of the cham
Der in which she sat would doubles
he regarded with open-eyed wonder b,
| a girl of to-day; for the enterprisins
| generations since '76 have sought gu,
many new inventions" and the pom
derous loom 'livened by the cheerful
| pattern of Gnsey-woolsey, the grea
spinning wheel, and the homely rec
and swifts have either been wholly
| banished from the homes of the land
| or are preserved only as relics of less
ingenious age.
1t was during the Mud Rounds" a.
the veterans called Washington's re-
treat across ''The Jerseys" when The
mud, which at first had rendered the
roads almost impossible, suddenly
froze, thereby impeding the progress
and greatly increasing the suffering OF
the half-shod and often barefooted
American troops. News Of the extreme
restitution Of the patriots had set in
motion all the shuttles and spindles in
the vicinity, while stockings for the
soldiers were growing like magic in
every loyal household.
Nancy Poundmaster's mother had
died at the commencement of the war.
and her father had brought Nancy's
grandmother, hale old lady of seven
ty, from lover the mountain, "sto as
sumo the care of his household. This
consisted of two stalwart sons, both Of
whom had lately Joined the army, and
''the little gell," as the fond grand
mother called her sons ffteen-year-old
daughter. AT the beginning of this
story Capt. Poundmaster was rapidly
recovering from the effects of a severe
f1esh-wound in his right leg, received at
the battle Of White Plains.
"Humph!' he exclaimed, on this par
ticular Saturday afternoon, as he placed
a wooden bowl of CHARTERED apples on
the kitchen table. 'I'd pity the soldiers
if they had to depend on Nancy to spin
the yarn for their stockings! haven't
heard sound since she went UPSTAIRS
he added, as he stepped out of the back
door to wash his hands.
ooh, don't worry about the little CELL
It's likely she's a-finishin' her new kir-
tie to wear to meeting tomorrer," re-
turned the old lady in pacific tone. as
she deity proceeded to gather the juicy
quarters on strings for drying.
well. she won't get her stent done
before sundown,'' persisted the father;
and hastily stepping to the chamber
door he noiselessly assembled the circu-
ar staircase. "Sabba' day." as Grand
ma Poundmaster always designated the
irst day of the week, commenced in
hat Presbyterian household at sun
Town on Saturday.
Upon my word! that must be be-
tale" sternly remarked the
.aptain, moment later, from the top
If the stairs.
At these words the startled girl, who
vas oblivious to everything but the in
oming ship that was slowly approach
ng Crusoe's island, sprang up and in
sought to hide the innocent
ause of her fathers displeasure under
he pile of feecy rolls at her side.
Where did you get this?" he abrupt
Y inquired, taking the book from her f,
and, and closely examining the title
age.
Job Van Tassel brought. it from
'ork when he came home to enlist last |
7eek," faltercd Nancy. with wistful
ir
81 knew no good would ever come Of
ne lads sojourn in that worldly, traf
clSing town." growled the captain, as
e hastily turned over the leaves.
hen, taking the book between his
numb and fingers. he said, solemnly:
Child, know that this is one of the
evices of the evil one. to lead the fool
h and unwary to a most sinful waste
time. and to draw them away from
lie pages of Holy Writ. See that this
essage from Satan is on its way to
eighpor Van Tassers ere 'tis four by
lie dial" he peremptorily added: and
,ssing the volume into her lap he
rode down the stairs.
Instantly-for parents insisted upon
-ompt obedience in those days-Nancy
ed on her beaver hood, and slipping
to her scarlet cloak silently left the
,use with the prohibited book under
ar arm.
A more patriotic heart than Nancy
never beat under home
'un; and as, she sped over the frozen
'ound she ,remorsefully exclaimed:
Oh! how could IIhave been so forget
il Of the poor barefooted soldiers!
avhap," she went on, quickening her
zee as she glanced southwark toward
e waning sun. II might spin knot
two yet before shutdown. And OH
e added, with CLEAN Of satisfac-
1n, won't make the old wheel buzz
,Xt week to make up for this?'
But at that moment an irresistible
pulse to finish reading the only book
which she had ever been really IN
rested took possession of her. 4
yer wanted to do anything SO much
my life" she said to herself, again
d again.
Then why don't you do it?'
The bare suggestion of such ia
ant violation of her fathers command
ought her to a sudden standstin.
lille she glanced tinidly around to
Ike sure that the bold hint did not
me from without, instead Of from
thin. If were only sure that father
,uld never find it out" she muir
lred. Questioningly.
IN quick response came the suCges-
n: What is 10 hinder your being
, i'll to rise from your bed tomorrow :.
,rning? Then. after your father and :
aldmother have gone to meeting,