The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-02-23
A Story Of the Great
Blizzard of
1888
~
By CHARLES CRAIG

the snow whirled. How deep it be
came! How many persons wer,
caught. bewildered, and sank dowI
within reach of safety, yet never arose
alive!
During the day /, rebeling against
remaining longer imprisoned, started
out to walk TO the village, mile dis
tant. How / got as far as did don't
know, though | didn't get very far
Between my home and the town was
an old brick house that had been built
$50 years. 1t had been occupied till
six months before, when the tenants
left it, shutting 1t up with all the high
post bedsteads and other old fash
Toned furniture. Seeing this house
and realizing that was battling a
storm that was too much for me, |
made for it, climbed the fence--the
snow would not admit of opening the
gate-and after struggling over hum
dred feet up to the porch sank down
at the front door in a stupor.
Things were vague after that l
seemed to have forgotten that the
house was.nnoccupied, and, making an
effort, / pulled myself up to reach the
brass knoclser and raped. The door
was opened by gentleman, and,
strange to say. he wore the uniform of
the Continental army. | saw many
persons moving about in the rooms
and heard the strains OF music.
bad night, sir" said the gentleman.
"Come in and warm yourself"
II certainly will" | replied. II feel
very queer am certainly benumbed."
Fortunately some hot punch is just
being served. 1t is just what you re-
quire."
He put his arm through mine and
supported me to room with q side
board in it on which was an enor-
nous bowl, from which negro was
ladling out steaming beverage. My
handed it to me. ! put it TO my lips,
but somehow couldn't taste anything.
1t was like drinking air.
II shall be happy to present you to
my friends" said the man who had adj
mittel me. 1--WE are having dance
here tonight in honor of the officers
commanding the troops Just arrived
and who are to be quartered In the
All this seemed natural enough. 1t
didn't strike me that there was any
thing remarkable about 1t. was
taken up and introduced to ladies' with
enormous wigs and queer cut dresses.
j tried to say something. but somehow
j couldn't talk. There were a lot of
men in Continental uniform and few
in citizens dress. the latter with
yard or more of white stuff wrapped
around their Threats. and ruffles stand
ing out from their bosoms.
"a bad night for our boys at Valley
Forge" remarked a tall man, who as
j looked at him seemed to resolve him
self into General Washington.
II should say So l replied. I'm
cold myself here in these warm rooms.
What must be the condition of those
fellows living in huts or tents without
sufficient blankets?'
Our conversation was interrupted by |
the entrance of young man, who APP |
preached washington and whom the
general received with marked favor.
who is that" asked of a guest.
1.-THE Marquis de Lafayette"
The next thing | remember was see
ing the general dancing the minuet.
and wondered how he could be dane
Ing when his troops We're freezing. to
say nothing of starving
While he was engaged in the dance
| heard colored servant standing at
the door announce in loud voice:
General Arnoldr'
] looked at the man who entered and |
ecognized-from portraits / had seen
Benedict Arnold He went straight
Up to Washington and tapped him on
he shoulder. Washington turned. and
he look OF contempt and loathing on
ais face was terrible to see While
was looking at 1t the view dissolved
before me. and there was a blank.
Then was In room in which Wash
ngton was talking and gesticulating
With an officer against whom he seem
ID to have very bitter feeling asked
Who this man was and WINS Informed
hat he was General Charles Lee, who
dlsobeyed Washingtons
'rders at the battle Of Trenton. There
we're high words between the two till
slapped Lees face.
The sound OF the slap dissolved into
voice that sounded in my ear.
Hello. Wake up
| was violently shaken ard slowly
anne to a realizing sense that was
N the porch of the deserted house
thoroughly benumhed. Two men were
rying to arouse me They shook me.
me. lifted me to my feet
nd held me there in spite Of my desire
0 sink down again.
! had been at Che door but n few
minutes. Two men who had walked
ehind me saw me turn into the de-
erted house and. realizing that 1t