Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-07-14


lived where, perhaps. no other boy
boy ever resided-jn a graveyard for
over. a year, with only soldiers for
companions. Here he is, little Edward
Mullen.
+ When the remains of Garfield were
placed in Lake View Cemetery, a little
lad having heard of his death ard bur-
ial walked all the way there from Wis
consin, earning his necessary expenses
by backing boots. Finally the little pill
grim reached the tomb, and while he
stood surveying it visitor became in
terested in him, heard his story and Sc
cured him a good place on neighbor-
ing farm, where he still resides. Then
Edward Mullen found his way to
little town in New York state. One
day the soldier on duty at the tomb saw
barefooted boy within the lines and
ordered him home.
II have no home,'' said the lad.
The corporal of the guard came out,
questioned the boy, was moved by his
story and directed soldier to take Ed
ward over to the barracks. The lad,
led by an armed soldier across the out
let of the lake in front of the tomb-a
shorter route than the road over the
bridge-naturally felt that his fate had
fallen into hard hands.
There was foaming cataract at his
feet, very noisy, but very harmless, and
a big dog just across the water waiting
to meet him, but the dog was harmless,
too, and proved as good-natured as the
soldiers. Buster they called him, and
Buster and the boy were the favorites
of the men in the barracks. Buster
was not on footing of familiarity with
Lieut.. Edwards, the commanding Of
fcer.. Perhaps he communicated that
fact to the boy. At any rate, Edward
was terrible scared the next day when
the Lieutenant approached him and
asked him what he intended to do with
himself.
I'D like to stay here" said the boy.
The ghosts will get you," said the
Lieutenant.
There are no ghosts,'' said the boy,
and his very sensible answer so pleased
the officer that at once Edward became
his bodyguard. The Lieutenant dressed
him in good clothes. sent him to school,
and with great pride reports that the
boy has stood at the head of his class
during the entire time that he has been
at school in the city.
the boy, having politely asked to see
the drawing showing the soldiers bar
racks at the background, urgently
asked that the Lieutcnant''s quarters
might be 'given show in the pic
ture, because the Lieutenant is my
best friend,'' urged the lad.
BY way OF. an expression of gratitude
the boy volunteered to show The cor
respondent :O]d Jack and the rest of
EN-" and led the way to one of the
numerous lakes that dot the big ceme-
terry. At the sound of the lads voice
shrill cries and the rush of wings were
heard, and such collection of strange
water fowl as is seldom seen came to
meet their especial friend. Half-wild
ducks and geese few down; strange
looking geese, like hens afloat, came
blowing down the lake, and at the
head of the possession was old jack
large and very knowing old swan, who
will allow no one but the suDerintend-
ent of the cemetery and Edward to APP
proach him.
Lest any boy should imagine that
Edward has had fine romantic time,
in all respects, it may he
mentioned that bic has had TO
take "pot luck, with the soldiers, and
very few boys would relish soldiers
rations. Coffee without sugar or milk,
no butter, no pie, nothing but meat
and bread and potatoes and plumb
duff on Sundays Said Edward:
''Don't forget to mention the plumb
duff and Lieut.. Edwards who was good
to me.'
With the breaking up of the Camp
Edward will go to the military barracks
in Detroit unless some gentleman de.
string bright boy files satisfactory
proposals with the commanding officer.