Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-05-22

mistake as to his sons having fallen, and 80
he is continu lily searching and inqulring
for him. It's awfully sad, y he added, look
ing away beyond the arbor, "but he always
fancies him still 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 us every body calls him
although he disowns all ttles-belongs at
the Soldiers Home in Crofton, but is al
lowed more liberty than ID usual. He
doubtless walked the six miles between
there and here this morning but was so
filed with his object OF finding his son as
hardly to notice the long tramp. Welt
wish you good-morning.
The strong man left the arbor, and the
young fellows remaining in it looked quiet
~ into each others faces Frank was the
first to speak
II tell you, Gene, that's war! cold, cruel
war! Isn't it mournful, thought! Ifeel as
though I'd 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; it seemed only like forgot
ten tragedy Of the long past; but now
real thing, and it's good lesson for us; we
ought to feel that that struggle has left its
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
wish we might manage to say something
comforting to that poor old soldier. Come
on, we might see him again.
But as they started out the music of a
band broke On their ears, and the crowd
became dense all around. They pressed
forward, but had gone but little way be-
fore they saw their old friend of the arbor
just before them AS they were borne along
with the throng they caught few plead
ing words addressed to policeman, who
seemed listening respectfully:
AS you see, I'm an old q. 8. v, one Of
the rank and file 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 all over. The
| Grafton was ended and the impressive GER
| emory of decorating the tiag-marked
graves had been performed Many OF the
companies had left the grounds, and Frank
Barker and Eugene Howard were half-re-
1uctantly approaching the gates.
just then a 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 him be-
gin, in his slow, entreating way:
I'm an old q. s v, one of the rank and
file merely, but thought perhaps ~
But the Commander interrupted him:
dotiing his hat with all tie Difference he
would have shown a superior officer, he
said, gently, but heartily:
''Ah! it's Captain Simms, isn't it9 We're
on the outlook for our old veterans tod ay.
Fall right into line with us; we're going tc
have sandwich and some coffee just out.
| side here, and one of our me has a biz
package of old solace' for you to take
home. The barge will be here directly, and
you shall go along with us. But see! here
| are the old soldiers wanting to have a wore
with you-Captain Simms, comrades!'
And the men closed about him. comp letet "
| shutting out from the fearful eyes of two
| attentive lads the old "U. s. V"-merely
Que of the rank and hle!-Mrs Harriet A
Cheever, in Christian Union.