Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-10-10
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part of what / shall relate. He said
that in his neighborhood there lived a
certain Colonel Fifer veteran OF the
late war, who was millionaire. AL
though he had the means to surround
himself with every comfort and every
pleasure, he had for several years lived
in the plainest manner and had cared
nothing for the gayeties of the world.
But it was not surprising that he lived
as he did, for fate had dealt him cruel
blows In one year not only his wife,
to whom he was most tenderly attached,
but also two idolized children, daugh-
ter sixteen years of age and son of
twenty, were swept from his side by
death. At the age of fifty years he was
left alone. The chief object of his life
had been to promote the comfort and
happiness of his family, and they were
gone. He had his great riches, but
there was no one near and dear to him
with whom he could enjoy them. Some
men, visited by similar misfortune,
would have yielded to dependency,
but he was a man of too much resolu-
ton and good sense to allow himself to
become morbid and to let his life go to
waste
"One day. in the course of his travels,
he visited small Western city for the
purpose of examining the inducements
to invest in real estate
While making his inquiries in the
city he CHANGED to see standing in
the doorway of grocery store a man
who had pleasant, intelligent face.
The appearance of the man impressed
him so favorably that he obeyed sud-
den impulse to make his acquaintance.
Accordingly Colonel Fifer introduced
himself to the man, who proved to be
the proprietor of the store, and, finding
him very polite and friendly, soon told
him what his business was. The man
Joseph Decker was his name-said that,
although he was not pecuniarly inter
ested in the real-estate business, he
thought he could give the Colonel some
valuable information. They had not
been talking long before Colonel Fifel
noticed that the store-keeper was gaz.
ing intently at the lapel of his coat, tc
which was attached small bronze G..
a. R. button.
4 see that you are an old soldier
said Mr.. Decker.
"'Yes, | have seen little service,
the Colouel modestly replied,
81 know you were good soldier, by
your looks said the other, eagerly
and wish you would allow me to shake
hands with you, for l have been sol
der, too
''They shook hands heartily, ant
soon were engrosSed in "reminiscences o
the war; as only two thorough veterans
could become engrossed. Although eacl
of them refrained from recounting his
own valorous deeds, it did not tax,
them long to become convinced tina
each had seen hard service and haC
been brave soldier. Mr.. Decker be
came so much interested in his new
friend that he insisted that he SHOULD
go home with him to dinner and shoult
be his guest throughout the remainde
of the day, the Colonel having informe,
him that it was his intention to leav
the city on late afternoon train. Thu
Colonel felt that he ought not to accep
so much hospitality from stranger
and endeavored to excuse himself; blu
in vain. Mr.. Decker would not take n
for answer. II was then noon, and the
Immediately started for Mr.. Decker
home. In ten minutes they reached II
The house was evidently not fash
ionable one, but it was comfortabl