Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-08-14

g pacity for threatening
the enemy. All the material, even to
the flooring, was to be cut from the
woods near the little river.
The first two days of this work would
have been very happy ones to me but
for single circumstance. All day long
there wandered among us the farmer
who owned the young pine forest from
which we were cutting our timber, and
his face looked as IL his family were
dying one by one, with no doctor or
medicine within reach. Had he lost
his temper and sworn at us we could
have got rid Of him and our uncomfort
able feelings. but he was n gentle, slow
spoken, tired looking man, like the
American farmer of almost any other
state. and he told us how he had been
saving that bit of woods from the time
he married, so that the timber upon II
should pay for educating his sons when
they grew up and also to give himself
and his wife little money with which
to see something Of the world after the
boys married and the farm was divided
between them. Now 1t all was being
swept away and without a word OF
warning oil cent OF pay.
"Well. SIR" said our captain kindly,
'I'm awfully sorry for you, but it's one
Of the fortunes of war. A full half OF
my company are young men who ought
to be in college or learning some busl'
ness by which to live and perhaps pro-
vide for their parents later years; but,
so far as their own future is concerned,
their time is being wasted about as
thoroughly as your property"
al suppose that's true" said the
farmer, looking around at the men at
work you've got some likely looking
young fellows. But that don't give me
back my trees"
Every WE'LL" said the captain. "the
government will pay you the full value
Of your trees If you will certify and
prove that you are and always have
been q true and loyal citizen Of the
United States and have never given aid
or comfort to the enemy"
The farmer stopped looking gentle
and tired as he replied:
v
sons, and I'm proud Of It."
That's square, honest talk" said the
captain, but it brings us back to the
fortunes of war again"
II didn't bring on the war;" said the
farmer.
"I believe you" said the captain.
81 only went with my state" contin.
ued the farmer. "God knows l never
wanted any war; neither did any Of my
neighbors, except loafer or two"
"Twas the same way with me and
my neighbours" said the captain. 81
suppose II we on our side and you or
your side had been more particular
about the men we sent to congress anc
to the legislatures-if we had though
more of our country and less Of oul
party, there wouldn't have been any
war"
There's n right smart lot Of sense ir
that" said the farmer after moment:
reflection. Then he looked sad eyeC
and continued, But it doesn't give MI
back my trees"
AS the farmer wandered away l Of
fered the captain an argument or twC
which seemed to me first class clinche
OF the rightfulness of his position, bu
he smiled sadly and replied:
ITS of no use, my boy, to fuss owe
mans head when his hearts turne(
upside down"
But began.
"Oh, go back to your AK" interrupt
ed the captain. ANY logic that hav,
need for use upon myself. If yo1
live through the war and have n farm
and family Of your own some da.
and look back to this particular time
Voul probably believe that I'm abou
as unhappy over this work as tn
farmer is at his loss"
l was made 30 wretched for two day
by this sad eyed farmers manner tina
tried to devise ways of escaping /,
1t wasn't long before ] found one
Many Of our logs had to be foated t
the point where we were massing tn
timber preparatory for use, and it wa
not easy for men walking along tn
shore with long poles in their hands I
prevent an occasional log from drift
ing out Of reach and escaping us er
tirely. l suggested to the captain tina
single rowboat or a skiff would hel
us greatly, and the captain agreed wit
me, but wanted to know If had neye
heard that for military reasons a
boats on streams In a fighting countr
were destroyed.
IF southern boys are as smart q
northern boys" said 1, II guess boa
or two escaped and lie hidden away /
the bushes somewhere along th
shore"
l couldn't forget how many times
had stumbled over boats while roam
Ing along the edge of creeks and pond
not far from our village up north.
Very well" said the captain, with a
odd smile, 'if that Is true and norther
boys are rs smart as southern boy
you may go and find one of those boat
Take two or three men with you. Don
go without carbines. And be In hui
ry about it. We do need boat"
Hurrah! Here was to be an outin
that would bring back a taste Of oil
times. l wasn't long in selecting N
party. Brainard almost danced wit
Joy when l asked him to come aloni
and two other fellows about as old q
we begged to go with us. Just befol
we started the captain handed me
canteen OF whisky, telling me not
use any unless some one fell into II