The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-12
A G. A. R BUTTON.

men; but it must be conceded that there i:
one OF them whose members are bound to
Rether by stronger and dearer ties than art
the members of any other fraternity.
refer to the Grand Army of the Republic
At G. A r. campfire men meet who
shoulder to shoulder, have mora than once
faced the chances Of death on the field OF
battle, have endured pyivation and defeat
together, and together have cheered in the
hour Of victory. Consequently they have
a mutual knowledge and mutual feeling
that men cannot have who have moved en-
ttrely In the paths of peace.
To be present at a campfire IS to enjoy
the society of brave and kind hearted men.
Il is the place 10 hear interesting stories of
the war, told by those who participated in
the scenes which they describe. Pipes and
tobacco are passed, and as the veterans
smoke at their ease the commander Of the
local post calls on distinguished visitors
and members of the post to entertain the
company with "reminiscences. Pathos and
humor appear about equally in the stories.
One veteran recalls some personal ex-
periepce in terrible battle, and tells how
some comrade dear to many of his hearers
| fell, MORALLY wounded. The next speaker
relieves the sadness caused by what has
Just been said. He gives the humorous
particulars of successful raid on some
rebels hen roost, and is rewarded with
hearty laughter. Occasionally stories not
directly connected with the war are told,
and are not less interesting than those
that are usually related.
AT recent campfire heard a romantic
story told by gallant captain who carried
Il
teller was first class, and the "boys" knew
that he could tell something uncommonly
good. After the warm applause that greeted
him when he arose to his feet Ssad subsidized
De said:
81 shall not tell funny story tonight.
But do not be disappointed. have some
thing better, something new and uncom-
mon, which know will interest you. 1t
Is pretty little romance connected with a
G. A r. button, such as the one ! wear
pointing to little button attached to the
lapel of his coat, well known badge Of
the Grand Army of the Republic), such as
some Of you wear. | take the more pleas
ure In relating the story because it con-
spicuously illustrates the much good of
which human nature Is capable in spite of
the talk Of cynics. 1t will dc my heart
good to relate ii, and trust it will do your
hearts good to hear it.
1.-TWO years ago, while was journeying
toward Chicago, had most interesting
conversation with q good hearted and So
cial western man who sat beside me in the
smoker, and it was he who told me the
greater part of what shall relate. He said
that in his neighborhood there lived GER
tain Col. Fifer, a veteran of the late war,
who was millionaire. Although he had
the means to surround himself with every
comfort and 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 be was most tenderly at
tached, but also two idolized chill
dren, a daughter l6 years OF age
and a son of 90, were swept from his
side by death. At the age Of 30 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
a similar misfortune, would have yielded
to dependency, but he was a man of too
much resolution and good sense to allow
himself to become morbid and to let his
life 60 to waste. He endeavored to regain
his cheerfulness by engaging in business
that made it necessary for him to travel
and to see new scenes The result was
that he finally began 70 be like himself
once more; but there were hours when he
could not help feeling sad and lonely.
Zone day, in the course of his travels, he
visited a small western city for the pur-
pose Of examining the inducements to in
vest in real estate. He had been told that
the location of the city was so good and
the railroad facilities so excellent that it
was destined TO become large place, and
that the land in its outskirts must rapidly
rise in value. While he was making his
inquiries in the city he CHANGED to see
in the doorway Of a grocery store
a man who had pleasant, intelligent face.
The appearance of the man impressed him
30 favorably that he obeyed a sudden i'm
pulse to make his acquaintance Accord |
ingly, Col 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 |
WI nc l1lau-COoCph OCNASA was AAo /
that, although he was not Pc |
interested in the real estate husi-
ness, he thought that ne could give the colo !
mel some valuable information. They had |
not been talking long before Col Fffer |
noticed that the storekeeper was gazing /
intently at the lapel OF his coat, to which /
was attached a small bronze q. a. r but
ton
90 I see that yNu are an old soldier said |
Mr.. Decker.
Yes, have seen n little service the
colonel modestly replied
i know you were a good soldier, by
your looks, said the other, eagerly, and | |
wish you would allow me TO shake hands
With you, fer have been soldier, too
'They shook hands heartily. and soon
we're engrossed in "reminiscences of the
war, as only two thorough veterans could
become engrossed Although each Of them
from recounting his own valorous
leeds, IL did not take them long 10 become
that each had seen hard service
md had been brave soldier. Mr.. Decker
Decame so much interested in his new friend
hat he insisted that he should 20 home
With him to dinner, and should lie his
guest throughout the remainder Of
he day, the colonel having informed
aim that it WAS his intention 10
cave the city on late afternoon train
The colonel felt that be ought not 70 &C
,ept so much hospitality from & stranger
sd endesvored 70 excuse himself, but IL
ain. Mr.. Decker would not take no FOR
IN answer. II was then noon, and rney
started for Mr.. Decker's
home In ten minutes they reached IL
The house was evidently not fashionable
me, but IL was a comfortable home for s