Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-10-13

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Nitd, arith outStrctchCd arms. hro,cs her
SGT tOrWGrd to meet him.
A great city is draped i'll mourning.
On every side, at half staff, the national
flag hangs limp and lileless in the moist
and misty air. as though Of its own wolf
tom dropping III honor of the soldier
dead. Under the sodden skies, through
thronged yet silent streets, in long, long
column chosen attachments of soldiery
are leading to its final resting place The
shrouded clay Of him who TO such glori
Gus purpose had led the Union blue in
every field from the Mississippi to tho
sea, and who through long years Of hon
ored service ranked foremost ON the
rolls Of the army-forelrOst perhaps III
the great heart of the people. For days, as
though in sympathy with the widespread
grief the heavens have poured their
floods upon the brown and leatless slopes.
All nature seems plunged in wintry
gloom. Tho black smoke from a host
of stacks and chimueys has settled down
upon the silent city, covering 1t like u
pail. From north and south, from east
and west, battaliuus and batteries, na-
tional and state have been concentrate
ing to take part in the last honors to the
illustrious chief, and dripping, yet dis
ciplined. without the stir of martial
music, the men have marched from the
trains TO the rendezvous assigned them
about the town.
At last the hour has come. The weep
lug skies have checked their tears. The
streets and sidewalks along the line of
march swarm with citizens, whose husll-
ed voices and rcyercnt mica speak elo-
quently Of their sense of the national
loss. From many stately mansion
and modest homestead out beyond the
business section festoons of black are
futtering i'll the rising breeze, the flag i
twined with Grape, the windows, bal
comics and steps are alive with spec
tators. And, far ont ON the west
ward avenue, on a sheltered portico that
projects from u solid, old fashioned res
idcnce Of cut Stone and almost over
hangs the street. there is gathered lit
lie bcvy Of fair forms and faces which
we saw together for the first time that
Indian summary afternoon Of the recep-
ton at Pawnee,
The rapid trot Of oriellics and
mounted police. sent ahead to warn The
populace off the street and back to the
sidewalk, and the distant waiiug OF
rayalrt truu.pcts far down the avenue
have told that now the funeral column
j. approaching; and from the warmth
Of the cuzy uarlOr. well wrapped in
mantlcs and furs, the ladies have come
forth into the chilly February dav-
Mrs. Berrien, Mrs. Holden and her chill
drcn; Wmifred. whose soft checks are
aglow and whose dark eyes turn Instant
ly, eagerly toward the head Of the adj
Vancing escort; Mia Guthrie. lallid.
lauqui3 when Urohservcd by her guests,
yet Frightening instantly, bravely, when
addressed, ard striving to be her old
gracious, radiant self for the sake Of
these and other visitors from Pawnee-
for the Twelfth has been detailed es-
oecally to lead the escort of the great
commander, and al the way from the
frontier and only few days homo from
the stirring scenes Of its fierce Camp. ign
the regiment has been brought hither Nv
the orders Of a general who knows their
worth as well he knows their WRONGS
anu whose soldier heart hasfcltTor them
III all their trials.
it WAS III his power to give this honor
to others, but though his own old reai-
ment is within cas- call, he means that
the people shall see for themselves what
manner Of men are these whom press
and pulpit have assailcd, and against
whose fair fame tbo sI.fts of slap1r,,