The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-06-19
POLLY,S DECORATION DAY.

FOLLY sat on the doorstep, dressing
s'Miss Jerusha Jane " in Der pink party
= dress.
"Now, Z'rusha, you mus be dood
girl and not tear cor dress. tause velly
tirded and tant mend it. Will oo?"
suppose Miss Jerusla must have re-
piled "yes," for her little mistress seem
ed perfectly satisfied; and presently the
young lady was taken off into the corner
Of the yard, where the "tparty was to-
take place, and the little sunny-haired,
rosy-cheeked child came trotting back
to her home, on the broad, old-fashioned
doorstep. In the cool, quiet sitting room
looking out upon this step, sat mamma
and Aunt Kate, talking together. Pres
emily Polly was attracted by what Aunt
Kate was saying: sszss =
Helen, suppose you don't need to
be reminded that tomorrow will be
Decoration Day. Shall you go with
howers2"
"shall goa Indeed, Kate, did you
but know how my heart clings to that
little spot Of earth, you would not ask
me-" $&#& 9 5s
"And shall you take Polly?''
"Yes, indeed. I want her arliest re
memberances to be those of love and
honor for her soldier father" The sweet
face under the widows cap beamed with
tenderness as she thought of the dear one
who had given his life to his country.
now waiting for her in heavenly home;
and she did not speak again until
childish voice recalled her thoughts. Z
Mamma, is I a-goin' to Dec'lation
Day."
eyes, darling; we are going to put
some beautiful flowers on papa's grave"
I" An may Z'rusha go, too?''
Mamma smiled. Eyes, dear; if it will
please my little Polly, Z'rusha many go
too.'' ..s -. -
And away ran Polly to communicate
the news. -tE5.
Decoration Day dawned bright and
beautiful-the very heavens seeming to
send their blessing down upon the flower
decked graves of soldiers.
Blithe little Polly sat in the carriage
with Jerusha in one hand and fragrant
bunch Of lilies Of the valley in the other,
waiting for mamma. Soon she came,
with basket Of pure white blossoms,
and they drove off. The sun shone warm
and bright, and the air was so still that
even robins note from the branches of
the sweet-scented apple trees seemed out
Of tune; and mammals face was SO peace
full in its thoughtful lness that even Polly
kept quiet, only chatting in whispers to
Jerusha. The ride was not very long,
and soon the beautiful cemetery, with its
little hills and valleys, lay spread out be-
fore them. They drove through one Of
the pretty winding paths, past MANY
fowet-coYered graves, until at last the
carriage stopped, and mamma stepped
out, Polly following,with wide-open eyes.
" Is papa down there in the ground,
mammal asked the wondering child.
'No, darling" answered the sweet
voice, as the hands busily arranged
the pretty flowers. " Papa is away up in
the blue sky, where the dear Jesus lives
And by and by Polly and mamma will
go up there too and live with him."
"But, mamma" and the blue eyes were
full Of wonder, I" if papa is way up inc
sky, how can he get'e pity flowers?
Will he fly down out O. heaven?"
"No, Polly, papa will not get the
flowers at all, and he does not want
them. But we put them where he is
buried to show how much we loved him.
Do you understand, dear?" ..fss. ..f st.s Ia
Polly did not answer. She was look
ing far away at the skies and mamma did
not try to recall her attention, thinking
to herself: ''Ncver mind. If she does
not understand now, she will sometime, -
But Polly was not satisfied, and she
crept away, and, taking up Jerusha, she
whispered in that young lady's ear;
h'rusha, I don't see how papa can Diet
v pity Towers way up IN e sky. fink
ed hat to come way, way down, and be
ely tired. What you fink bout it,
Z'rusha2" ese
Jerusha appeared not to have any
decided opinion, and, after little more
lingering among the grassy hillocks,
mamma, Polly and Jerusha drove slowly
homeward, mamma thinking cf the dear
lost one, Polly Of the mysterious question
which puzzled her SO much-how papa
was to come down out of heaven for the
flowers they had brought him.
Once at home, mamma went to lie
down. for the morning had been hard
one for her; and Polly and Jerusha were
left alone in the yard. But something
was on the childs mind. She could not
play and even her beloved dolly failed to
awaken any interest and lay neglected on
the ground.
Suddenly Polly seemed to have a new
thought, and, snatching her favorite from
the ground, she said. in an exultant
voice: t
"Z'rusha Zane l know what I'll do!
My papa wants all e pity towers we
taxed to him, and he hasn't dot any little
dirl up in heaven to send down after 'em
an I'm a-doin' to take 'em to him. I
see place way off, where I can step right
into heaven; an you an me, we'll 90 an
sprize papa wiz the pity things. Won't
he be glade Want to go, z rusha2' 5s5s
Ofcourse, Jerusha did want to co.. So
Polly tucked her snugly under her arm,
and, putting her little straw hat on the
buck Of her curls, the pair started off.
Now said Polly, first, we'll go an