The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1889-05-25

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 favorite
chaplain was to deliver the Grafton Of the
day.
Frank Barker and Eugene Howard, sew
onteen 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 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 IGNORING of the dead"
MY father was surgeon in the army
during the last two years OF the re-
bellion," said Eugene Howard, "but he died
80 many years ago never learned any thing
from him on the subject; but, then, our
histories teach us how much we owe the
men who fought those battles"
'Y-e-s," began Frank, in what would have
been 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 I doubt il half of them
were ever in the slightest engagement, or
even ever smelt powder. Sort of shakes
your faith In good many OF them"
"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
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 q moments attention.
II believe Pm getting tired,' said Frank
Barker, at last; let's go to that little arbor
down the next avenue and rest awhile. We
she'll hear the band cas-. ly enough once the
procession draws near"
Ihe arbor was close at hand, but on an
proaching near enough to see into it, there,
calmly gazing on the scene before him, sat
an old man whose appearance might have
besn 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 furnished letters. His tall thin form
was habited in an old army coat so faded it
might originally have been either gray or
blue, and over the deep collar struggled
few locks of gray hair.
At sight of the forlorn old figure, Eugene
Howard said under his breath:
''Hulloo! guess our old friend yonder
grew tired before we did. and. being little
lame, started in advance to find resting
place."
well, goodness knows he's welcome ~
said Frank Barker, a chivalrous ring in his
low voice. You see,' he added half sport
lively and half in earnest, 1--WE Young Amer
lea involuntarily render honor to whom
honor and so FORTH
Eugene Howard added, 1nischievously:
"Reminds me, nevertheless OF the old