Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-10-28

eVio COL tiCu O1SuCS UiidU COulu UC lOuuo
were brought out to receive for the night
the treasures that would have graced the
daintiest vases. Kittie, half beside her
self, fluttered about among her treasures
like humming- bird in a honeysuckle
bower, stopping now and then to touch
the tip Of her little nose to mandrake
blossom, or to wonder what made the Vi
olets so blue Flowers were always a
wonder to Kittie, particularly the violets,
looking at her with their baby eyes; and
tonight she handled them more lovingly
than ever, with a vague feeling that they
had consciousness of their own-these
sweet wild buds and blooms that to-mor-
row were to gladden. the brave soldiers.
For Kittie, whose little head was brim-
ming with odd fancies, was fully per-
suaded that on that day the spirits of
the dead leaned over their graves to hear
what the flowers said And when at
last they were all disposed of, with every
stem in water, and the bright drops nes-
Ting like tears among the leaves, she
went to kiss Major John goodnight.
John Major John, as the Cova people
called him, to distinguish him from his
father, who was also Major) had been
watching her with grave eyes, for the
approaching of Decoration Day stirred
many sad rememb brances- es-remembrances
not of the war only, but also of the
friends whom he had loved in the fair
South, Of the past, before the war and
its dead had come between himself and
them i
Don't you think they'll be glad
tomorrow, Jack % asked Kittie, with
her arms about his neck. But, though
he kissed her tendcrly, be made no an
swer; and finding him not disposed to
talk, she gave him one more kiss and
went to bed.
p Kittie had promised Fay that she
would call for her the next day, on her
way to the cemetery; but when she
reached the house, there was poor Fay
bolstered up in the armchair with a
sprained ankle, having had the misfor,
tune to slip on the stairs.
'l'm afraid my soldiers graves will
have to 60 without their decorations, u
said the little cripple ruefully.
''No, indeed, they shan'tr said Kit.
tie. well make the wreaths right off
and I'll carry them myself"
rxrUurU L fvrrr, vome mere and let me
kiss you'll" cried Fay, impulsively and
then both pairs of hands fell to work al
the flowers.
"What's all this about ?" asked Col
Hunter, coming unexpectedly upon tht
busy children, and picking up as h,
spoke Gala from Fay's lap; for tn,
little Southerner, not quite content will
wild flowers, had begged a contribution
from her mothers house-plants.
"Why, don't you know, papa ? Thi
is Decoration Day, and these are for tn
soldiers graves.
The Colonel dropped the calla as
some poisonous insect lurked in its cream
cup.
mo child of mine shall ever lay
flower on a Northern soldiers grave
Do you hear me, Fay?"
"You don't understand, papa. Thes
are for our own Confederate soldier.
graves and as | can't go, Kittie has ct
fered to take them for me-
The Colonel turned to Kittie. "Isn
this Major Fields daughter?' he askc
sharply.
ssYes, SIR said Kittie, bravely. an
father was o Union officer; but he sa,
, that cousin Fred and good many otht
Northern soldiers are buried down Sout
and he hopes some kind Southerner wi
/ put flowers on their graves to-day" 81
i wondered afterward how she had dare
to say SO much, with those keen ey
watching her; but the Colonel went awa
r with softened face, and, CHANGING {
t hour later to meet Major Field, he sto
e ped and shook hands with him-som
e thing he had not done since the w
j closed, although they were old acquain
/ ances.
y '.When your children, Major Fiel
f begin to scatter, flowers over our soldier
J, graves it is time for us to forget OF
y grudge he said still holding the Major
r hand.
= But the Major did not at first compl
) hend, and the Colonel had to explain.
+ ''Yes, yes remember now. Kit
a told me about it last night. All! G.
n onel, lis bad enough for us old ones
e Earbor hate and revenge. Let us tea
'. our children to shake hands over t
!. black grave that divides us.
is What else they said does not matt
le here, only the result was that ever afi
k the Colonel and the Major were fs
l. friends. But something better st
e, came of that Decoration Day; at lie;
L. Major John, who helped Kittie carry
Iy well-flled basket to the cemetery, /
If always been of that opinion.
as '.Well put plenty Of the blue viol
lie over brother Harry, he loved tn
II | so said X ittia nc thay knelt by