But his confusion reached the climax when Captain Barney led him upon the platform, and Mr.Boltwood, a young lawyer resident in Pinchbrook, proceeded to address him in highly complimentary terms, reviewing his career at Bull Run, on the Shenandoah, on the Potomac, to its culmination at Williamsburg, and concluded by presenting him the sword which the captain had purchased, in behalf of his friends and admirers in his native town.
Fortunately for Tom, the speech was long, as he was enabled in some measure to recover his self-possession.

In trembling tones he thanked the donors for their gift, and promised to use it in defence of his country as long as a drop of blood was left in his veins--highly poetical, but it required strong terms to express our hero's enthusiasm--whereat the men and boys applauded most vehemently, and the ladies flourished their cambrics with the most commendable zeal.

Tom bowed--bowed again--and kept bowing, just as he had seen General McClellan bow when he was cheered by the troops.

As the people would not stop applauding, Tom, his face all aglow with joy and confusion, descended from the platform, and took his seat by the side of his mother.
The magnates of Pinchbrook then made speeches--except Squire Pemberton--about the war, patriotism, gunpowder, and eleven-inch shot and shells.

Every body thought it was "a big thing," and went home to talk about it for the next week.