River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-05-23

he continued: You know I'm an old (. ).
v, ono of the rank and file merely but
am here to-day with an object, as usual ]
shouldn't be surprised if at any moment
was to see fine manly young fellow, with
an eagle eye and a military carriage, come
striding alUng-ah! there's our minister
from CreftOpl | must GO interview him.
bid you good day, eood-day, my sons.
With a martial air the old man gathered
himself up and departed, while Frank and
Eugene looked inquiringly at the gentle
man addressed as Mr. Fosdick"
Excuse me, said Frank, but do you
know that old SOLDIER"
'Oh, yesl" replied Mr.. Fosdick, look of
pity succeeding the smile with which he be-
gan to make reply; "he was one of our
fighters during the war, but lie lost an only
son whom for years he knew and realized
had been killed at Cola Harbor, think.
But within the last ear OF two his mind
has failed, and he imagines that it was o
mistake as TO his sons having fallen and Sc
he is continu lily searching and inquIring
for him It's awfully sad " he added, look
ing away beyond the arbor, but he always
fancies him still a young man Just as. he
saw him last. but doesn't realize he would
be getting grizzly" like the rest OF US of
his age, were he still living.
Captain Simms, as every body, calls him
although he ais0NitB all titlos- belongs al
the Soldiers Home in Crofton, but is al
lowed more liberty than is usual He
doubtless walked the six miles between
there and here this morning, but was SO
filled with his object of finding his son as
hardly to notice the long tramp. WE'LL
wish you good morning
The strong man left the arbor, and the
young fellows remaining in 1t looked quiet
ly into each others faces Frank was the
first to speak.
u tell YOU, Gene that's wari cold, cruel
war Isn't II mDuruful. thought feel as
though Id like to go and implore that old
veteran to forgive my senseless words OF
an hour ago"
"Oh, you didn't realize any thing of the
facts said Eugene, kindly land I'm sure
didn't either; il seemed only like forgot
ten tragedy of the long past; but now
we've been brought face to face with the
real thing, and it's good lesson for us; we
ought to feel that that struggle has left It's
scars and wounds
"Ah that's the worst of it," replied
Frank, sadly; lit has left scars and bruises
that never will heal while certain lives last
l wish we might manage to say something
comforting TO that poor old soldier. Come
ON, we might see lin again.
But as they started out the music Of o
band broke on their ears, and the crowd
became dense all around They pressed
forward, but had gone but a little way be-
fore they saw their old friend of the arbor
lust before them As they were borne along
with the throng they caught few plead
ing words addressed to a policeman, who
seemed listening respectfully.
''As you Sec I'm an old y. $, v, one OF
the rank and flle merely, but | thought
possibly you might have seen an eagle eyed
young fellow"
1t was impossible to stand still, and the
young friends pushed on TO where the
chaplain was taking his stand
at last the exercises were oil over. The
Grafton was ended and the impressive GER
emonv of decorating the flag-marked
graves mad been performed Many of the
companies had left the grounds, and Frank
Barker and Eugene Howard were half-re-
luctantly approaching the gates.
Just then detachment of Post Forty five,
of Crofton, halted near the entrance, and,
walking slowly up to them. the boys saw
the faded old veteran, and heard MIN be-
gin. in his slow. entreating way
I'm an old e. S. ". one of the rank-and
file merely, but thought perhaps L"
But the Commander interrupted him;
doffing his hat with all the Difference he
would have shown a superior officer. he
said. gently, but heartily
"Ah, it's Captain Simms, isn't it? We're
on the outlook for our old veterans to-day
Fall right into line with us were going to
have a sandwich and some coffee Just out
side here, and one of our men. has a big
package of old solace' for You to take
home The barge viii lie here directly. and
you shall go along with US. Dat seei here
are the old soldiers wanting to have q word
with you-Captain simms, comrades
And the men closed about him, completely
shutting out from the fearful ewes of two
attentive lads the old IT V"-merely
one of the rank and file,-Mrs Harriet A.
Cheever, in Christian Union