Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-05-11


"Neighbor Jones and his son Phineas,
who ride to-day to within two miles of
sister Diapers, stopped for her ON their
way. had not thought that you would
object to her going in such company"
Neither would I under ordinary cir
cumstances. But in times like these into
which we are sadly fallen, the most fit
ting place for girl is by her fathers
fireside. See to it that no one else leaves
our roof without my leave"
Mistress Esther said no more She did
not deem it wise time in which to tell
her husband of her unavailing remon-
strances against the making of the visit
at so unseemly a season.
eve hear that your Aunt Draper is
busy from morning till night preparing
food for the weary, hungry men who are
constantly marching by her house. She
will have no time to humor you," she had
said to Delight, who made ready answer.
''Her very occupation is the best of rea-
sons why l should go to her help. My
Aunt Draper has but one daughter; you
have four. You loan us to Aunt Salome.
Don't you think you should be as gener-
Gus to your own dear sister as to my
fathers brothers wife?"
Mistress Esther had looked into the
beautiful, arch, willful face of her eldest
daughter, and gave at least tacit con-
sent to what her better judgment babe
her refuse. AS large a package of va
rious dainties as could be tied to the horn
Of the saddle was prepared as the GUS
tomary gift to Aunt Draper. Another
bundle, which no one saw in process of
making up, and which Delight described
as "dimmididdles, was Occurred to the
pommel.
"You look like a peddler, Delight" re-
marked Sylvia, after a critical survey of
her sister mounted for departure on the
handsome bay pony which her uncle ORA
per had given her year before. The
girls keen eyes did not fail to observe the
rosy blush which this remark brought to
Delights face. Mr.. Jones and his son
rode up just then, thus preventing any
reply. After another exchange of merry
farewells, the travellers started off at a
round pace.
A short distance down the road Delight
drew rein and turned in her saddle to
take a last look at the house where she
was born. For it was her purpose never
to return to it as Delight Leland.
Their horses were fresh, the morning
superb and they made good time, arriving
at their destinations long before noon. De-
light rode the last two miles of her jour
ney alone. She was thoroughly acquaint-
ed with the road, and laughingly declined
the offer of Phineas Jones to accompany
her to her aunt's door. Up to this time
she had seen few militia, but now, COM
ing out on to the direct highway to Bos-
ton, she fell in with hundreds of them
hurrying to the northeast She received
civil mods and words from one and another
as she passed them on quick canter. Her
graceful figure and brilliant, handsome
face was a pleasing sight to the travel
worn men, who had left their own daugh-
tiers and sweethearts far behind them.
They were surprised and pleased to find
her waiting to offer them refreshment
when, an hour behind her, they arrived
at Mary Diapers home. No word had
come back to them of the splendid hospi-
tally which was to revive soul and body
alike Oh the edge of Dedham town, but
hundreds on hundreds of footsore patriots
who had preceded them on the march to
Cambridge blessed the name of Mary
Draper for the rest of their lives.
On hearing of the battle of Lexington,
she bound knapsack and blanket to the
shoulders of her only son, a lad of six
teen, and babe him join his father in de-
tense of his country. Then to her daugh-
ter Kate and to Pierre LIE Bourveau, a
French soldier, crippled in the colonial
wars, and for years an inmate of her
home, she had said:
1--WE see men passing each day from
the south and west of us, from New York
;cto
places. eager to give their lives in mainte-
nance of their rights. Scores, nay hum
dreds more will come after these. We are
but two women and one disabled man.
We cannot fight; we are too far away to
care for the wounded, but it is within our
power to give food and drink to those
who march by our door. Let us then lay
everything else aside and keep busy day
and night, if need be-"
Her stirring words, her vigorous per-
sopality, for she was a comely dame Of
proportions in keeping with the largeness
of her sympathies, aroused in her COM
panions similar enthusiasm The great
brick ovens, two of them, were heated
and used for baking brown bread. The
well-filled cellars and capacious store
rooms of Captain Draper were drawn
upon uuSlluteuly, dLu dl1 SOELS VI WuO1G-
some, appetizing food set out on long
forms by the roadside ready for any hum
cry men who should come along.
Israel Putnam, not once looking back
to the pillow still standing in its furrow,
was one of the first guests at this unique
feast, whose chief attractions were deli
cious brown and rye bread, rich yellow
cheese and sparkling cider.
The first burning days of intense excite
ment had passed into history on the morn
ing when Delight cantered into the yard,
but recruits were still focking on, and few
hours went by that dozens were not fed
and cheered at the out-of-door banquet,
all the more enjoyable because of its un-
expectedness. The neighbors had been
called on to replenish the sometimes fail