Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-08-13

i
py. cheerful, and the winner of two
prizes-every one was ready to receive
him joyfully. Uncle David held him
at armslength, and had tears in his
eyes: "My dear lad, this is like Ole
times-I have forgotten everything"
At that Hew turned his head for an
instant to certain chair in certain
sunny window, from which a pair of
great eyes watched his every movement;
but he was only met by gentle laugh
and flush that crept up over the white
delicate face, as he went across md sat
down upon the arm of the chair, taking
the thin hand in his. He saw then
that the truth of that old story would
never be rightly known by any one, for
much suffering and much sorrow had
blotted out all remembrance of that one
day from poor Davies life.
He was silent for minute, perhaps,
and then he said, startling them all by
his vehemence: "Then we start fair,
Uncle David feel such great rough
fellow beside you two"
And Davie said, with the quick tears
in his eyes: ''Not rough, dear Hew-
just strong"
Fourteen years afterward came a
time that | suppose never will be for
! gotten-a time of heroism and blood.
shed, of wars and rumors of wars in the
Crimea-a time of terror and suspense
and heart-sickness at home How many
households in England gave up one life
to that terrible game of war-gave it
freely and willingly. never counting the
cost
You may count those dead heroes by
the miniatures and locks of hair hidden
away from sight to this day, among the
most precious treasures by the medals
that came too late to honor those short
young lives, but are the crowning glory
of many homes; by the silver hairs that
shone in bright brown tresses, and the
wrinkles that furrowed smooth white
brows. You may count them easiest of
all by the names that were added to
every church yard, in that year of grace
$50, to the memory of the glorious dead
who died in the Crimca.
Out of the home with which we have
to do they chose their best and bravest,
and sent him forth, with the safeguard
of many prayers, into the far East. And
he said goodbye to them all In his
pride, and kept up their hearts by bis
bright and fearless spirits, and went
away eastward with the rest; and IN
Gle David looked little older, perhaps,
and David fancied the house was not as
pleasant as it used to be, and grew tined
of his sofa in the sunny window, until
such time as the months had rolled on
their slow course. and the troops were
coming back.
Then they frightened up the old
house for the heirs return, and the bells
rang out, and they gave great feast
in honor of their boy for Hew was one
of those who did return-proud and
bright and glad, and with Victoria
Cross upon her breast.
There was nothing to remember, moth
ing to forget, at this Homecoming; and
Hew thought that nobody but himself
recollected that little story of his boyish
life, as he stopped for Uncle David s
trembling kiss, and for the touch Of
David's clinging, welcome hands.
There was grand evening; but il
the midst of all the fun and merrimen
and speeches, Hew's eyes were alway:
turning to a certain corner by the ftfu
fire, from which pair of great darl
eyes watched his every movement; anc
at last, when there was a pause, h,
/, rose with flush on his face, and said
"Uncle David all of you, gentlemen
change your glasses.-To the heroes O
. the Crimea who have not come back.
And they all drank in silence.
Zone more toast" cried Uncle David
| who was proud and excited. "Gentle
men, propose our own private hero
, our own boy, Hew-and Davie p
Hew bowed in his hearty, boyis
: way; but before he answered he wen
over to the sofa in the dark corner, ant
leaned against it, so that his hand coul
have touched the close ringed curls c
the fair head, and then he said: q
can answer you best here, and than
D, you better for Davie and myself, tina
E l could among you all. You, who hav
known us all our lives-you, Uncle Ds
vid, who have loved us-know what W
are to each other. AS you have joine
y us in the toast, so let me speak for bot
- in my answer, when l saw that, next
:, my brothers love, l value nothing s
much as your good opinion"
n We have never had word betwee
7 us all our lives" said Davie, raising
flushed, glad face, 80 you make n
e very proud by giving me just lit
4 place in Hew's triumph. Even this
= and he touched the Victoria Gross