The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-08-21

give the colonel some valuable infor-
nation. They had not been talking
long before Col. Fifer noticed that
the torekeeper was gazing intently.
at the lapel Of his coat, to which was
ATTACHED small bronze G. A: r. butt
ton.
I see that you are an old soldier
said Mr., Decker.
Yes, / have seen little service
the colonel modestly replied.
Il know you were a good soldier,
by your looks said the ether, eager
y, and I wish you would allow me
to shake hands with you, for l 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.
Althougheach ofthem refrained fro m
recounting his own valorous deeds,
it did not take them long to become
convinced thateach had seen hard SER
vice and had been braYesoldier. Mr..
Decker became SO much interested in
his new friend that he insisted that
he should 60 home with him to din
ner, and should be his guest through
out the remainder of the day, the
colonel having informed him that it
was his intention to leave the city on
a late afternoon train. The colonel
felt that he ought not to except so
much hospitality from stranger,
and endeavored to excuse himself;
but in vain. Mr.. Decker would not
take no for an answer. 1t was then
noon, and they Immediately started
for Mr.. Decker'sshome In ten min
|utes they reached it. The house was
evidently not a fashionable one, but
1T was a comforts home for a man
OF modest means, and was situated
in a roomy yard where there were
fine shade trees and plenty of green
grass. AS they left the gate and
went up the gravelled walk toward
the front door, Mr.. Decker's only
daughter ran forth to meet them
She had a winning face, a 1.-THE and
graceful figure, and the tender feel
ing that beamed from her eyes as
she spoke to her father convinced
Col. Fifer that she was a dutiful and
afectionate girl.
They went into the house and
seated themselves in the pleasant
parlor. Dinnerwas soon announced,
and Col. Fifer met Mrs. Decker for
the first time. She proved to be a
very agreeable woman, and was not
less anxious than her husband to
make their guest feel at home. It
seemed to the colonel that he had
never met with a family that inter
ested him more. They were so kind
to each other, SO DESTROYS to please
their guest, that he felt his heart
warm toward them as if they were
old friends. After dinner they in
sisted that he should take a ride
with them. Mr.. Decker attached his
horse toa tWo-seated covered wagon,
and the three mem ers of the family
and their guest started on a ride
that included a view of the most in
teresting portions of the city. When
it was time for Col. Fifer to take the
train, Mr.. Decker drove to the station,
and the colonel parted with the friend
" family with much regret, after
having extended a hearty invitation
to them to visit his home.
About a year passed away, DUR
ing which the colonel did not hear
anything concerning the family that
hadinterested him so much, although
pleasant recollections, Of them often
came to his mind. One day he pick
ed up a daily paper and began to
read an account of a cyclone that
had done much havoc in the west.
Much to his alarm he noticed
that the city where Mr.. Decker
lived had been partially destroyed
by the tornado, and among the list
of killed he found the names of his
friends and his amiable wife. The
picture ofthe happy family returned
tohim and his soulWas filed with sad
ness. 1t seemed cruel aud wrong
that SO great a misfortune should
visit people SO worthy. He looked
for the name Of the daughter in the
list of dead, but could not find it.
Probably she had escaped, and he
Immediately formed generous res
solution. He packed his valise and
made q journey to the unfortunate
city. When he arrived. he went i'm
mediately to the locality where his
friends house had stood. A sad
sight greeted his eyes. All Of the
houses in the vicinity had either been
blown down or had been partially
torn to pieces. In place OF pleasant
homes we're heaps of unsightly ruins.
Mr.. Decker's house had been laid fiat,
and he and his wife. who were sup
posed to be in an upper room at the
time, had fallen into the cellar and
had been killed Instantly. Their
daughter was visiting schoolmates
in another part of of the city, out
side Of the cyclones track, and,
frantic with apprehension, ran home
only to find her worst fears realized.
The terrible shock overpowered her.,
and it was at first feared that she
would have brain fever; but youth
and a good constitution were in her
favor, and at the time of Col.
Filters arrival she was considered
\ :,