The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-11-16
Not in the Ranks

The old army overcoat that used to
be such familiar sight on our streets is
one of the rarest now; indeed it is SO
seldom seen that we involuntarily turn
and gaze after it, as something that
brings sad and often cruel memories
The other day an old man wearing coat
of this kind, which reached toshis heels,
stopped at cottage''a little'ways out of
town and asked leave to rest while on
the porch.
''rm bit tired" he said to the wo-
man who opened the door, IAN if you
don't mind I'll sit here and rest myself
spell"
You're welcome" said the woman
kindly, with a glance at the martial blue.
Then she left him alone, but after lit
tie returned with bowl of coffee and
plate of white biscuit.
Eat" she said, gently; II had boy
who was a soldier"
"But I'm not a soldier" answered the
old man. II never was a soldier, my
boy went to the war and was-was kill
ed. He was all had, too. The coat
was his; seems like he's near me when
have it on. gave him to his country;
the handsomest and bravest boy he was,
too, in the whole regiment, God bless
him. He did his duty. died on the field
and this coat was all that came back to
his poor old dad. No; Inever was
SOLDIER
The woman went in and brought out
some cake, and the whitest honey, and
added it to the coffee and biscuit
''Are you alone in the world?" she
! asked.
"Oh, no." answered the old man.
cheerfully; ''I've got sister, but she's
old and lame, and she has a daughter
that's sickly and ailing. You see,
have them to work for, and they're a
sight of comfort to me. Many's the
time I'd have broke down since Mary
died but for them two poor critters
Mary was my wife, ma am; she was
| master hand to nuss sick folks, and
she thought after Tim died as it were
her duty to go into the hospital service
and nuss the soldiers, and she died these
sixteen years ago, but she did a heap of
good work first. Many q soldier has
kissed her shadow on the wall! Mary.
darlin', God wanted ye in the ranks up
there! I've often wished that l had
been soldier, if only to be fit for the
little mother and Tim; but 1 never was"
He drank the coffee, ate the good food
| thankfully and offered to pay for it with
some boarded pieces of old worn silver,
but the woman shook her head.
''Put back your money. My boy was
a soldier" she said.
'tBut I am not soldier-well-w ;"
as he looked in her face, 81 thank you
and take it for has saker'
He wished goodnight to his kind en-
tertainer and turned away. AS he
walked off slow and limping, bent by
infirmity, the long skirt of his army ov-
ercoat struck bright and blue against
the splendor of the sunset; he shaded
his eyes with one trembling hand and
looked wistfully at the rose and anne
thyst door that seemed to open in the
| west. What saw he there? A little,
round-shouldered woman with small.
homely face, lank, overgrown boy
with sparse red hair. Aye! and of such
as these are angels made So watching,
he passed down into the shadows and
disappeared.
The woman at the gate looked afteR
| him.
''No soldier?" she said gently, 'but
wonder if the boy who died on the first
battlefield ever fought as he has, OF
sacrificed as much to his country? All
the soldiers didn't go into the war with
flying flags and rolling drums; some OF
them stayed at home and fought harder
battles. I'm glad gave him bite
and sup! He is soldier and brave
one, too, and one day he will know itr'
And think she was right.