The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-06-16
What Decoration Day Brought
Robert Jarvis.

Robert Jarvis.
"This is Decoration day, mother,
and I've a mind to hitch up the gravs
and run down to the city to see the pro-
cession. Neighbor Brown was ust
telling me that they were making great
preparations for it yesterday. All the
bands in the city are to be out, and
hundreds of little girls dressed in white
are to scatter flowers on the graves of
the soldiers. What do you say TO a
little sightseeing yourself, mother?"
Mr.. Jarvis had not long to wait, for
the eager voice of his good wife assured
him that she was willing to go. cit is
for more than the sightseeing 1 wish
to CO." she said. eve owe our tribute
to the dead soldiers, just the same as
do others, and l mean to take bushel
OF flowers with me. There may be some
poor, unfortunate one whose grave will
be forgotten. While you and Roger
are Harvesting Pete and Dan, Elsie and
will cut and arrange the flowers"
There had been many touching adj
dresses in the City Hall, and a great
deal of singing and playing while the
procession was forming.
Farmer Jarvis had drawn his grays a
little out of line in order to have bet
ter view of the grand spectacle. While
waiting good Mrs. Jarvis motherly
heart was touched by the sobs of lit
tie girl, whose tears were being wiped
away by a very pale young lady, evil
IDENTITY her sister.
"What is the matter with the child?"
asked the farmers wife, leaning out of
the comfortable carriage.
"She is disappointed, ma am, because
she did not get her ride to the ceme-
terry" replied the elder sister, some
what timidly.
She can 60 with us, if she chooses"
said Mrs. Jarvis; " there's plenty of
room between Elsie and me-"
The eyes of the delicate child were
dried Immediately. "They would not
let me ride with the girls, because my
dress was not fine, like theirs" she eX-
claimed, bitterly.
"Never mind. If the young miss
does not object, climb right up beside
my little girl" 1t was Mr.. Jarvis who
spoke this time.
The elder girl darteda swift glance al
the honest face before her, and then
she said, in soft, musical voice, &C
would be glad to commit her to your
care if it would not be trespassing
upon your ROOM"
"We shall consider it favor to have
her with u.s." responded Mr.. Jarvis,
"and will engage to set her down at
your own door when we return"
Accordingly, little Bessie took her
seat alongside of Elsie. She told them
of her sick mother, who cried all day
long on Decoration day because he1
father, who had been a soldier, was
buried far away on the battlefield of
Chickamauga. every year she sent
a bouquet for his grave, but to-day she
had no money to buy even rose" said
the child, as the tears rolled down hel
white cheeks.
"Never mind, Bessie. She shall
have the finest bouquet that 1 have in
that large basket, and you shall select
it, together with one apiece for your
mother and YOURSELF" answered Mrs
Jarvis, cheerily, all the while wipine
the tears from her own eyes.
The old farmer listened quietly to the
little chirruping creature, until she
mentioned the name of her father
Wilson Pembroke. AT the sound Of
that name he gave quick start, and
then turned and asked. nervously
"What regiment did your father be-
long to?"
'The Seventy-eighth Ohio" was the
quick reply.
"The same," he unused. "It mus
be my man. Surely there would not bt
two of such an uncommon name in the
same regiment" He went on plying
the child with other questions, but shl
could only tell that she was BABE
when her father went away, and tha
she was little over ten years old now
Good Mrs. Jarvis could not under
stand what her husband meant, but, al
he did not choose to tell her, she re
Trained from questioning him.
Bessie was in great glee when sh'
was set down at her mothers door, an(
ran swiftly upstairs with her luncl
and flowers. Mabel, the elder sister
came down to express her gratitud,
for the pleasure they had conferred
upon Bessie.
She tells me that her fathers name
was Wilson Pembroke, aud that he be
longed to Company II, Seventy eight
Ohio Volunteer Infantry" began Mr.
Jarvis.
eyes, and was killed at Chickamaugs
on the 10th of September, 1863" re
piled Mabel.
Can you tell me if he volunteers,
Or"
I" He went as substitute for
wealthy farmer" she answered, quietly
CT thought So" said Mr.. Jarvis
hoarsely. Do you know that man
name," he inquired, with evident eS
element.
+" No; / believe / never heard tn
name," Mabel responded, looking cur
ously at her questioner.
"I'd like monstrous well to know,
he said