Year: 1862

/
order and to put on the plates and knives,
while Aunt Hitty hustled the tea


'Tll be glad when the war is over for one
reason she said. I'm pretty much tired OF
drinking sage tea


WELL Aunt Htty, who you scolded that
| peddler last week that brought the real tea


To be sure l did. Suppose I'd take any
of his old tea bought of the British. Fling
every tea-cup in his face first
Well mother said Dick, never exactly
understood what it was ebout the tea and why
the Boston folks threw it overheard
Because there was an unlawful tax laid
upon it that the Government had no right to
! lay. 1t wasn't much in ITSELF but it was part
of whole system of oppressive measures de-
signed to take away our rights and make US
slaves of q foreign power


tSlaves,' said Dick, Strengthening himself
proudly. Father q slave


But they would not be slaves. They saw
clearly where it would all end, and they would
not begin to submit to il in ever SO little said
| the mother


| And | wouldn't either if was they said
Dick


Besides, said his mother drawing him TO-
wards her, : it wasn't for themselves alone they
did it. This is a great country, and it will be
greater and greater, and its very important
THAT it should have free and equal laws, be-
cause it will By and by become so great. This
country, if it is free one, will be a light of
the world-G city set on hill that cannot he
hid, and all the oppressed and distressed from
other countries shall come here and enjoy
their rights and freedom. This, dear boy, is
why your father and uncle have gone to fight
thought God knows what they suffer- and the
large blue eyes Of the mother were full Of tears
yet strong bright beam of exultation shone
through those tears.


Well, well, Roxy, you can always talk, eV-
erybody knows said Aunt Hitty, who had not
been the least attentive listener of this little
harangue, but you see the tea is getting cold,
and yonder | see the sleigh is at the door and
John has come, so let US set up the chairs for
supper


The chairs were soon set up, when John, |
the eldest son, lad of about fifteen, entered
with letter There was one general excIa-
nation and stretching out of hands towards it. |
John threw it into bis mothers lap the tea |
table was forgotten and the teakettle sang
unnoticed by the fire as all hands crowded |
about the mothers chair to hear the news
1t was from Captain Ward, then in the Amer
ican Army at Valley Forge.


Mrs. Ward ran it over hastily and then read |
it aloud. A few words we may extract


There is still much suffering l have given
away every pair Of stockings you sent me, re-
serving to myself only one for | will not be
one whit better than the poorest soldier who |
fights for his country Poor fellows it makes |
my heartache sometimes TO go round among
them and see them with worn clothes and torn
shoes and often bleeding feet, and yet cheerful
and hopeful and every one willing to do his |
best. Often the spirit of encouragement comes |
over them, particularly at night when weary, /
cold and hungry, they turn in their comfortlesS
huts on the snowy ground. Then sometimes
there is thought of home aud warm fires, and !
some speak of giving up But next morning
out comes WaShington's general orders-little !
short note, bu! it's wonderful the good it does |.
and they all resolve to ho,d on come what
may There are commissioners going all /,
through the country to pick up supplies. If !
they come to you | need not tell you what to
do l know all that will be in Your hearts,


There, children, see what your father suf- |
fers and what it costs these poor soldiers to
gain our liberty said the mother.


Ephraim Scranton told me that the com.
misSloners had cnG3e as FAR as the Three Miles
Tavern, and he rather expected they'd be along
here to night said John as he was helping |
round the baked beans to the silent company |
at the tea-tabe.


Tonight? ? Do tell now ? said Aunt Hitty |
Then it's time we were awake and stirring |
Let's see what can be got'


III send my new overcoat for one, said ,
John. That old one isn't cut up yet, is it |
Aunt Hitty? !?


No. said Aunt Hitty; / was laying it out
to cut over next Wednesday when Desire
Smith could be here to do the tailoring


There's the south ROOM said Aunt Hitty, |
musng that bed has the two old Aunt Ward |
blankets on it and the great blue quilt and two
comfortefs. Then mothers and my room, two
pair--four comforters-two quilts-the best
chamber has got


Oh, Aunt Hitty, send oil that's in the best
chamber If any company comes we can make
it up from off our BEDS said John. l can
send blanket or two from off my bed, | |
know can't but just turn over in it, there is
so many clothes on now


Aunt Hitty, take blanket off from our
bed said Grace and Dick at once.


Welh well, we'll see, said Aunt Hitty
bustling up.


Up rose grandmamna with great earnest
ness now, and, going to the next room opened
large cedar wood chest, returned bearing in
her arms two large, snow white blankets, which
she deposited fat on the table inst as Aunt
Hitty was whisking off the table cloth.


Mortal Mother, what are you going to
do !? said Auut Hitty.


There, she said, l spun them-every
thread of 'em, when my name was Mary
Evans Those were my wedding blankets
made Of real nice wool, and worked with roses