Page:Some unpublished letters of Henry D. and Sophia E. Thoreau; a chapter in the history of a still-born book.djvu/135

 Battle-ground and the Monument. On my return, took a look at the new monument (erected to the memory of the fallen friends in the late war) standing on the public square. When here before in '63, it was war time and soldiers were being mustered into service, and they were encamped on the same open square. Now only some of their names are on record there. Such is life!

Aug 29th. Arose at 5 o'clock and took an early walk on North side of R. R. This is a grand old town! How quiet and restful the people seem! After breakfast went to call upon X. His housekeeper went up stairs and notified him, and he came down with quite a visible scowl on his countenance, but when I told him who I was, he soon called me to mind, brightened up, was quite cordial and made me welcome to his room below, for reading, writing, and so forth. I accepted this offer with pleasure, in the meantime making an arrangement for a walk together in the afternoon.

2 o'clock, P. M. Started out with Mr. X. for a trip of over one and a half or two miles S. E., on what they call the Old Virginia Road, to see the house where Thoreau was born. I found my companion a little captious and uneasy—I did not keep to the foot-path