At sunset the Puritan Sabbath ended.  The women brought out their knitting and spinning, or prepared for Monday’s washing, and the children were free to play until bedtime.

—­MARGARET PUMPHREY.

NAHUM PRINCE

More than a hundred years ago, our country was at war with England.  George Washington was at the head of our army.  As you know, he and his men were fighting for our country’s freedom.

The English army was larger than our army, and General Washington needed all the men he could get.  The regular troops were with him.

In one little town in Vermont all the strong, able-bodied men had gone to the front.  News came that the English and the Americans were about to meet in battle.  The Americans needed more men and called for volunteers.  Old men with white hair and long beards volunteered.  Young boys with smooth cheeks and unshaven lips volunteered.  There wasn’t a boy in the village over thirteen years of age who didn’t volunteer.

Even lame Nahum Prince offered himself.  He brought out his grandfather’s old gun and got in line with the others.  He stood as straight and tall as he could—­as a soldier should stand.

Soon the captain came along the line to inspect the volunteers.  When he saw Nahum, he said, “No, no, Nahum, you cannot go; you know you cannot.  Why, you could not walk a mile.  Go home, my lad.”

Just then the good old minister came by.  “Yes, Nahum,” he said, “you must stay at home.  Who knows but that you will find a greater work to do for your country right here?”

And lame Nahum dropped out of the line.

Then the volunteers marched off, every man and boy in the village except Nahum Prince.  Poor Nahum!  His heart was heavy.

“What can I do for my country in this small village?” he said to himself.  “Oh, I wish I could be a soldier!”

He walked toward his home slowly and sadly.  Just as he passed the blacksmith shop, three horseman galloped up to the door.

[Illustration:  The horseman speaks to Nahum]

“Where is the blacksmith?” asked one.

“He and all the men and boys have gone to join the army,” said Nahum.  “There isn’t a man or a boy in town except me.  I wouldn’t be here if I were not lame.”

“We cannot have this horse shod,” said the rider to the others.  “We shall not reach there in time.”

“Why, I can set a shoe,” said Nahum.

“Then it is lucky you are left behind,” said the man.  “Light up the forge and set the shoe.”

Nahum lighted the fire, blew the coals with the bellows, and soon put on the shoe.

“You have done a great deed to-day, my boy,” said the rider as he thanked Nahum and rode away.

The next week the boys came home and told of a great battle.  They told how the Americans were about to lose the fight when Colonel Seth Warner, leading a band of soldiers, rode up just in time to save the day.