Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-05-30

uniform of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie. Further back, near the center OF the
town, an occasional drum-beat, betokenIng
the gathering of an organized body OF men
preparing to do duty on an important and
solemn occasion Enthusiastically Memorial
Day!
Along Highland avenue, at the terminus
of which was the large cemetery, was an
almost unbroken procession of people OF all
ages and conditions, hurrying toward the
grounds where in another hour favo'ite
chaplain was to deliver the Grafton OF the
day.
Frank Barker and Eugene Howard, sew
enteen and eighteen years, respe ctively,
took In with keen interest each phase OF the
holiday scene.
Doesn't seem possible there ever could
have been a war right here in our own
country, does it? Frank asked. Il sup
pose" he added, lit would appear more
likely had any one belonging to me been in
the army, but as it is, Memorial Day seems
to me more like day for the parading Of
the living than the honoring of the dead"
MY father was a surgeon in the army
during the last two years of the re-
bellion," said Eugene Howard but he died
so many years ago never learned anything
from him on the subject; but, then, our
histories teach us how much we owe the
men who fought those battles"
Yes" began Frank in what would have
been a cynical manner in an older man,
but the trouble is there are so many old
buffers who are forever and ever blowing
about the war, and doubt if half of them
were ever in the slightest engagement, or
even ever smelt powder. Sort of shakes
Eo.% 4, H. ODD Of fhnr
"Oh, we'll" replied Eugene, laughingly,
II reckon we're all willing enough to know
as little of that 'unpleasantness' as we can. "
Arrived at the cemetery, the young men
walked about, stopping first to comment on
the draping of some long mound where
from headstone to footstOne the stars and
stripes were wound in graceful folds over
some sleeping patriots grave. Then the
designs in plants well grown. and flowers
coaxed into early bloom would claim more
than moments attention.
Il believe I'm getting tired" said Frank
Barker, at last; let's go to that little arbor
down the next avenue and rest awhile. We
shall hear the band easily enough once the
procession draws near"
The arbor was close at hand, but on ap-
preaching near enough to see into it. there,
Ou Ohc oCcHS DclO1C ullll.
an old man whose appearance might have
been ludicrous had it not at the same time
been so utterly pathetic. On his head was
large army hat such as worn by men,
bers of the Posts, only in the middle were
three tarnished letters His tall, thin form
was habited in an old army coat so faded ii
might originally have been either gray OF
blue. and over the deep collar struggled q
few locks of gray hair
At sight of the forlorn old figure Eugene
Howard said under his breath:
'Hullooi guess our old friend yondel
grew tired before we did, and being little
lame, started in advance to find resting
place"
'Well, goodness knows he's welcome y
said Frank Barker, a chivalrous ring in his
low voice. You see" he added half sport
lively and half in earnest, I'VE Young Amer.
lea involuntarily render honor to whom
honor and so forth"
Eugene Howard added mischievously:
Reminds me, nevertheless of the ol6