Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-05-29

Oulcl, JOuH n. AOSdu' 11cduqudTtcTS,
Washington, d. G.
PENS mother God quite still with
her broom in her hand. She was tidy
ing up the little cabin after supper.
"Oh, mot er," the boy went OH, eff
you and could go to Arlington and
see the big tomb for the unknowns and
put flowers on father and Samw
Mrs Hunter wound her arm around
her boy and stood thinking for mo-
inent of the "big tomb" and the "2111"
men whom it commemorated. Un-
known soldiers all! She wondered if
2111 hearts were aching over their
dead like hers! From what awful
places these nameless dead had been
gathered! He and Sam must lie in
that company!
"It would be beautiful, Pen, to do
it," she said, "but we have no money
and it is long way"
81 do believe I could make it," said
the boy, and then he added, couldn't
we sell something?"
Mrs. Hunter laughed. "What have
we to sell but Garry and Peggy and
there's plenty Of little sisters in this
country"
Pen tucked his head under his
mothers arm a minute, then raptur-
ously burst forth: II have it! Roger
Clarke wants my birds eggs! He Of
fered me $40.
"But, Pen, you have worked hard to
get that collection"
81 can get more. just the thing!
Glory! Glory"
A voice at the open door interrupted
him. GOOD evening, Mrs. Hunter.
I heard Pen telling You the news. You
better let him 60. It'll be sight for
q boy to see. I'll look out for him.
I'm goin'. I've saved up bit and
I'm going back to see the old one
legged fellers! Last time I marched
through the capital we were ragged,
tattered lot, an I carried the old flag
up Pennsylvania avenue! By Jingo,
Pen, we'll go an it'll be grand time.
Obey the Generals orders, I say.
Speeches an bands an flowers for our
comrades!
Old neighbor Jackson a Union SOL
dier, lived close by the Hunters. He
had been very kind to the little family,
and they relied on his judgment in all
doubtful matters. 1t was now decided
that Pen should sell his birds egg col
lection and go to Washington under
his care.
Pendleton Hunters father and his
eldest brother both had been at one
time reported killed in the Battle of
the Wilderness. Another report
reached the family that both had died
in Washington Hospital. Be the truth
what it might, Mrs. Hunter and the
children felt sure their soldiers lay
buried under the tomb of the Gun
known" at Arlington. How many a
woman who can never know it for &
certainty has hoped that her hero lies
there, gathered by his country into nn
honorcd grave.
Both armies had had hand in prac.
tically destroying the prosperity Of the
county from Washington to Richmond
The old home of the Hunters lay in the
path, and one night it got burned tt
the ground
The UniOnist mother, with her thre,
young children, went further back from
the railroads, unable, friendless as sh,
was, to cross the lines northward.
| Under their privations, sickness ant
poverty they had now sunk out of sight
Practically they were lost out of thu
world. Their old friends and neigh
bors We're scattered from their homes
as we'll as they, and there was nobod.
to seek them ont.
They titled spot of land aroun'
their rude cabin and lived. they hardl.
| knew how. from day to day. But il