Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-08-14
AN OLD HOME WEEK MEETING.
Letter from the Governor OF Yer
mont and What 1t Did

ernof OF Vermont?'
vermont? That's my native State,
Jim. Let's see tho document" and as
Jim handed him the official envelope
Abram Clerks eyes sparkled. for sure
enough there was the familiar coat of
arms, the picture of Green Mountain
stock farm. surmounted by "A stays head
with beneath all the soul-stirring motto,
"Frct dom and unity"
flood of memories swept over him, ana
1t was some time before he vouch sa fed y
response to the inquiring look of his
neighbor.
ITS an invitation. jim. The governor
has set apart the week Of August II to Is,
for the purpose Of bringing homo former
residents. He calls 1t old-home week
"Old home week. Oh? Those words
thrill me with a chain of memories. jim,
that dates back to September, '6l whom
J, lad OF 20, first realized what the word
home meant. Father and | enlisted in
Company Il. First Cavalry, and the reali-
cation came with the order to mount.
Il had to say goodby to mother: that
was hard enough, but there was lass in
2 pink gown to whom ! couldn't say even
those words, and so ! just caught her
hands. pressed them to my lips and rode
away with hot tears streaming down my
cheeks
I'VE campod at Burlington for two
months. then went to Annapolis for three
Woodstock, when we chased the rcbs from
Mt. Jackson into Winchester. Father was
one OF the few who fell, and although she
had me left, somehow mother couldn't
stand the shock.
We'll, ] had some hard knocks, but
when my three years were up, | re-er-
listed and was in 1t to the end for the
very night before Lee surrendered to
Grant at Apromattox, April 0. '65, Col.
Hall ordered Sergeant Rogers to seize two
pieces of artillery that were annoying our
troops.
He made the charge with only forty
six men, he got the guns, but l got laid
cut, and during my three months in the
hospital news came from home that the
girl in the pink gown had married Nat
Chase, who had gone back a captain.
He and ! always were rivals in every
thing. and at last he got ahead and | was
so broken up over my loss l could not go
back, so drifted west and started this
ranch: but. Jim. there's going to be a
break for | shall take this 'old-home' week
chance to revisit the scenes of my youth
The gala week had opened, and as a
starter burlington had given the hoTe
corners a reception that would long be a
fragrant memory.
On the morning of the 18th, a commit
teemar cspled a stranger as he stepped
from the Boston express, and with that
kindly feeling born of enthusiasm. accord
cd him a hearty welcome.
The stranger desired To reach his native
town.
This way. sor." said the enthusiast
heartily. Here's carriage that will take
you out. and | wager that driver will post
You on current events. Hes native, all
right"
Ahram Clark seated himself beside
strappinR youth, and as they specded along
the familiar roads the boy asked, what
is your Nance
Ever hear of Hank Miller" queried
Abram, as a smile fitted across his stern
features.
mo. You were here before my time.
guess"
"Ycs. I guess"
"Wherc bound? Got folks here, or did
you hire out?''
Il guess you'd call it hiring out. for in
my days I got Is cents an hour working
for Frank Kent. Ever hear Of him.
"Wcn, I guess. He died, you know. ant
Charlie got the place and when died
young Frank go; it. See?'
Abram nodded. DO you know the
Clark place." he asked.
Il should smile" was the reply. "1ts
all ruins now Old Clark got killed in the
war that killed his wife, and the double
loss SO broke up their boy he never came
back here"
"Where is he?" queried Abram.
"Out West somewhere. He keeps the
taxes paid and he paid for big monument
in the graveyard, but he never showed up
himself
What is your name?"
NAT Chase. Heard the name before,
amt you?" he asked as his companion
started.
Certain sure! There was a long line of
Nat Chases. Who was your mother?'
sally Morgan Know her, too!'
mo. Who was Your grandmother?
Maybe there's two generations, since |
worked here in 60.
"Whew! Right for YOU. Mr. Miller Did
YOU know my grandfather Captain Nat
Chase? He was married in June. So to
Ellen Dearborn
What" exclaimed the startled passen-
yer, didn't he marry Fanny Turnor?'
"Oh. no Fanny Turner never MARRIED
Folks say Ahe Clark went back on her
tut we are glad he did. for she's an angel
you know the brick schoolhousc down on
the turnpike? Well. she's taught there
nearly 40 years. She's Il quiet little podY,
sclf-rrliant. always earnest, always plea
SAINT, always your friend. We stop at her
home. for l bought some pink ribbon she
ordered HALO she's coming now. Going
over to Joe Cainss. I guess, to nurse his
wife. She's always doing such things"
Nat drew rein, and with spriChty step
the woman approached Abram watching
her with batcd breath one thought alone
I'm his mind. pink ribbons pink, the
color he had told her was his favorte for
her!
Their eyes mot.
She turned deadly pale and Keeling
you'd have fallen but that he lcapcd into
the road and claspcd her in his arms.
As he held her to him. her pale face
lighted up with a sweet. happy smile,
their lips met. and the astonished boy