A Hero of Ticonderoga

an of a promised partridge hunt on the morrow with his good friend Job. His father was chopping in a new clearing. Silas had been sent with the oxen to ta

e direction of the clearing, and as often saying to he

t henders father so. I can't think w

neighbors," said Nathan. "I hain't heard a tree fall

t or something," said M

verything sounds so plain," said Ruth, listening again. "You'd

h undefined dread. His ears ached for some sound, the tapping of a woodpecker, the cry of a jay, but

d fallen, but it was only a bevy of chickadees peering curiously at something on the ground beneath them, yet voiceless as if their perennial cheerfulness was dumb in the pervading silence. So sick with dre

arth reeled. With a piteous groan of "Father! father!" the boy sank down as li

not a dream. Then walking, as still in a dream, not noting how he went no

f sympathy for the bereaved and respect for the dead. So Seth Beeman's neighbors reverently laid him to rest in the soil his own hand had uncovered to the sun

o care for others. Toombs had proved better than he looked, kind enough, and a good worker, and familiar with the needs of the farm. When his time was out she had no means to pay his wages nor could she well get along without him. So he s

ably drifted to a fate a more self-reliant woman would have avoided. Worried with uncomprehended business, and assured by Toombs that this was the only way to retain a home for herself and children, yet unmo

s course. Though bestowing upon Martha and his mother indifferent notice or none at all, towards the boy the stepfather exercised his recently a

ere, and I've got a bigger job 'an that to settle, one that I'd ha'

gasped. "I thought you and

alked on. Look here," and Silas pulled out his leather pocketbo

f Ethan Allen, and, with a sickening

s whipped a man for claimin' his own, and your boy

ped. "I didn't see it. I run

ed afore his back got healed over, and afore he died he turned the job over to

and horror, while he proceeded, pou

And now, ma'am," lowering his voice from its passionate exultation, "you don't want to breathe a word o' this to your nice neighbors

but for looking forward to the time when her son could assert his rights and be her champion. Her