The Forrest City times., 1890-09-20

men, put lt must pe
 V"ut conceded that there is one of them whose members are bound together by stronger and dearcr ties than are the members of any other fraternity refer to the Grand Army of the Republic. At a q. A. R. campfire men meet who shoulder to shoulder have more than once faced the chances of death on the field of battle, have endured pri- vation and deseat together, and to- gether have cheered in the hour of victory. Consequently they have Q mutual knowledge and q mutual feel ing that men cannot have who have moved entirely in the epaths of peace
 At recent campfire heard TO- mantle story told by a gallant cap tain who carried an empty sleeve. His reputation as n story-teller was first-class, and "the boys" knew that he could tell something uncommonly good. After the warm appln use that greeted him when he arose to his feet had subsided, he said:
 '1 shall not tell funny story to- night. But do not be disappointed. 1 have something better, something new and uncommon, which know will interest you. ltis apretty little romance connected with u G. A. k. button, such as the one wear (pointing to little button attach ed to the lapel of his cont, a we'll known badge of the Grand Army of the Repuhlic), such as some of you wear. take the more pleasure in relating the story because it con spicuously illustrates the much good of which human nature is capable, in spite oi the talk of cynics. It will do my heart good to relate it, and, trust, it will do your hearts good to hear it.
 1.-Two years ago, while l was journeying toward Chicago, l had n most interesting conversation with n good-hearted and social Vest ern man who sat beside me in the smoker. and it was he who told me the greater part of what shall re- late. He said that in his neighbor- hood there lived certain Col. Eiter, n veteran of the late war, who was millionaire. Although he had the means to surround himselfwith every comfort and every pleasure, he had for several years lived in the plainest manner, and had cared nothing for the gayeties oi 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 at tached, but also two idolized chil- dren. daughter sixteen years ofage and son 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 hap piness 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 mis. fortune, would have yielded to des- pondency, but he was a man of too much resolution and good sense to allow himself 10 become morbid and to let his life 20 to waste. He en. deavored to regain his cheeriulness by engaging in business that made it necessary for him to travel and to new scenes, The result was that he finally began to he like himself once more; but there were hours when he could not help feeling sad and lonely. "0ne day, in the course of his trav- els, he visited small Western city for the purpose of examining the in. ducement to invest in real estate He had been told that the location ot the city was so good and the railroad facilities so excellent that it was des- tined to become a large place, and that tho land in it's outskirts mus rapidly rise in value. While he was making his inquiries in the city he chanced to see standing in the door way Of a grocery store man who hnda pleasant, intelligent face. The appearance of the man impressed him so favorably that he obeyed a sudden impulse to make his aequaint~ ance. Accordingly. Col. tiier introduced himself to the man, who proved to be the proprietor of the store, and, iind- ing him very polite and friendly, soon told him what his business was. The mnn--J oseph Decker was his name said that, although he was not pe- cuniarily interested in the real estate business, he thought that he could give tho colonel some valuable infor- nation. They had not been talking long betore Col Fifer noticed that the storekeeper was gazing intently at the lapel of his coat, to which was attached u small bronze c. A: R. but. ton.
 "I sec that you are an old soldier said Mir. Decker.
 "'Yes, l have seen little service, the colonel modestiy replied.
 I know you were good soldier, by your looks, said the ether, eager ly, and wish you would allow me to shake hands with you, for have been a soldier. too
 "They shook hands heartily, and soon were engrossed in "reminiscences of the war. as only two thorough veterans could become engrossed. Although each ofthem refrained from recounting his own valorous deeds, 1t did not take them long to become convinced thateach had seen hard ser vice and had been brave soldier. Mir. Decker became 80 much interested in his new friend that he insisted that he should go home with him to din ner, and should be his guest through out tho remainder of the day, the colonel having informed him that it was his intention to leave the city on late afternoon train. The colonel felt that he ought not to except so much hospitality from a stranger,