Warren sheaf., 1898-12-01

now," they said. So it was whispered
in the room where she sat; but she
understood the message that passed
from eye to eye. Hetty Barton under
stood, too, although she did not raise
her eyes from the line where she was
setting small, even stitches. The air
waves were full of echoes in '62 and
Hetty did not need even John n's.words,
which came later in the evening, to con
firm their dire prophecies. .,
Then how the war fever spread
through Eden! Around the recruiting
Office, where large flag proudly float
ed, Oh the store steps, at the post Office,
out ON the country roads, and beside
the fences, while horses stood still III
the burrows, men gathered to talk about
the boys who were going to the war.
The village paper printed long list
one week, and, as it was read with tear
dimmed eyes, the people said: 'It
seems as though all Eden is going.''
Then, one bright June morning, the
sun shone upon a company of eager
young soldiers, in new blue suits with
shining brass buttons. 1t fell upon the
| fathers, and mothers, and friends, who
stood grouped near the long wagons
which were ready to take company 1"
to the nearest railroad station. The
white-haired old pastor offered the last
prayer, and, with huttering flags, beat
ing drums huzzas and waving caps, the
brave soldier boys were borne away.
A strange hush fell upon the small
town. 1t had always been a staid and
sober place, but now it almost seemed
| as though life had gone out of it. Hard
| work became blessed necessity to old
and young. .s-... ..~-.-.
The girls learned to drive horses that
were not "steady," to ride moving
machines, to help plan the. farm work,
to do 'everything but sing bass" which
they could not learn to do. But the
real life of the place depended upon
news from the boys, after all; and the
coming of the old yellow stage, twice
each day, quickened heart-throbs as did
nothing else ,.,5 ~
Two years passed, and the suspense
was not yet over. Some of the Eden
boys had gone beyond the. sound Of
bugle-call, a few were in hospitals; but
most of them were in action that dread
full spring of '64, when news of battle
after battle flashed over the land.
Eden was at it's height of anxiety as
the people gathered for worship in the
white church one Sunday morning, the
last of May: Hymns, Scripture read
ing and prayer were. over, and the old
pastor arose, but, instead of beginning
his. sermon, he said: ''".-. -
Late last night word came that
there is great need of everything for use
on the battlefelds and in hospitals. The
sanitary commission: begs us to send
cotton and flannel garments, socks,
sheets, quilts, old cotton and linen
every thing we can gather, at once. It
would be cruel tokeep you women, who
can use needless here with hands fold
ed over your Bibles, when the need is
SO great. You are invited to gather,
Immediately, at the home of Mrs. Grow
for work, and may Gods blessing go
with you" .sassge; ~>5s>s -
There were children in that congre-
cation who still remember how, with
one impulse, all the women arose and
reverently left the church, %# a..
The law of Sabbath observance in
Eden was Puritanic, but those who
would not sew on a missing button un-
der ordinary circumstances were soon
seated, needle in hand, wearing the ex-
allied look which meets great emer-
gency.
Mrs. Grow was president of the Sol
diers' Aid, and her husband kept the
village store. This was opened, and
necessary materials were taken from
it,. The only two sewing-machines in
the village were already there, and
were soon clicking an accompaniment
to the subdued voices of the busy
workers. i@@s&l lye42sa, es.,.. -.a' rv .a n ,ase
| A delegation, one of whom was Aunt
could be found, ready for use. .
'I'm glad to get out in the open air."
said she. 1T stiles me to sit there like
a funeral i'm Mrs. Grows parlor. Seems
as if it would kill me to see the look
in Mis- Hastings eyes since Harry was
shot" &a1sl}"
"They knew you could tell just where
to go for supplies, remarked Mrs. Kent.
I'VE must get sheets and quilts and old
linen. Have you any quilts to spare at
your house, Aunt Bina?"
| "I'm. sure sister has Some, and-yes,
I've got an extra blanket or two. Come
in"
While Mrs. Billings was collecting her
contribution Aunt Bina was in her
room upon her knees. When she en-
tered the parlor again few minutes
later, she bore in her arms pair of
soft, white blansets-and. her love