rs, the
selectmen of the town, Reverend Doctor Cooper, Colonel Henry and Lucy
Knox, Captain and Mrs. Brandon, Berinthia, Abraham Duncan, Major Tom
Brandon, Rachel Walden; young ladies in the bloom of maidenhood,
matronly mothers, fathers resolute of countenance,--all rejoicing that
the redcoats were gone.

Down from the chamber, passing the old clock on the stairs, came Major
Robert Walden, in bright, new uniform, and Ruth Newville in satin,
white and pure.

Reverend Doctor Cooper spoke of the bravery of the bridegroom in
battle, the manliness of character that fitted him for fighting the
battle of life. Tears came to many eyes as he pictured the love of a
maiden who rescued her beloved, swept by life's ebbing tide far out
towards a shoreless sea.

They who stood around beheld the countenance of the bride transfigured
as she pronounced the words, "to love, to honor, and cherish him."

Amid the general joy, one heart alone felt a momentary pang. Never
might Rachel whisper such words to him whose last thought had been of
her, who had given his life that liberty might live.

Once more food was to be had from the marketmen around Faneuil
Hall--joints of beef, pigs, sausages, chickens, turkeys, vegetables
and fruit, brought in by the farmers of Braintree, Dedham, and
Roxbury. Fishermen once more could sail down the harbor, drop their
lines for cod and mackerel on the fishing ground beyond the Outer
Brewster, and return to the town without molestation from a meddling
town major.

With joyful countenance and conscious dignity, Pompey perambulated the
market, inspecting what the hucksters had for sale.

"I want de juiciest j'int, de tenderest, fattest turkey, de freshest
eggs right from de nest, 'cause de 'casion is to be Missus Ruth's
weddin' dinner," he said.

Many banquets had Phillis prepared, but never one like the dinner for
Miss Ruth on her wedding day.

"I've roasted de turkey and sparrib for Massa Ginerel Howe and Massa
Ginerel Clinton, but dey ain't of no 'count 'side Massa Major Walden
and Massa Ginerel Washington, 'cause dey drive de redcoats out of
Boston. Miss Ruth fired de pistil and I scaldid dem with de b'ilin'
water. He! he! he!" she laughed.

It was a pleasure to stuff the turkey, to turn the joint of beef
roasting on the spit, mix the plums in the pudding, and mould the
mince pies for Ruth and her friends.

"Miss Ruth told me to go free, and now she's Missus Ruth Walden. He!
he! he!"

The l