The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-29

\ the current which YET continued 10 fow
: a hinge human stream, Was oassi
through street AFTER street and along ma
! lined by palaoe-liks houses. After q lii
I We came to a large. ooen squire, Will
= seemed to be the destination,
, there the people stopped. Al I
further and Of this sqnare stood q magni
ncent building. evidently intended for pu
! bic elevation. where were . great ma
persons. all Of them in standing posture
except one, an aged. very aged man. AGATE
In a throne-like char. His figure aud ia
showed him TO BE- of = length Of years We
dom vouchsafed to HE kind. and hia he,
was thinls covered with hair OF . silvel
Wilderness.
Now. near me stood one whom I knew
be q learned philosopher. and to whom
addressed myself for an explanation
these wonderful things.
Tell me. !" said ]. .'who is the anciel
being seated on Wonder piatformy"
The person to whom / spoke stared in n
tace snrprisedly.
Are you OF his land?" said he, ian
Sacred Armyw
Il am ignorant" answered l. ''of whom
you speak or OF what army"
Ihe philosopher stared . second TINT
but soon. when / assured him I was nc
testing, he began telling me Of forme
times and how 1t came to be thai thi
white haired remnant OF . past age was Al
object of so much honor. Nor was tn
story new to meas may il novel be to any
son of America.
We edged our way close to the platform
immediately around the seat Of the anoien
soldier stood many noble looking gentle
men, evidently Of diRnified character IN,
exalted station. As came near / hsart
them mention. or mans. that name whicl
IL dearest TO our memories as patriota.
And You saw the chief with your owl
eyes!a asked n of the gentlemen.
= ND answered the old warrior.
Aud the crowd were hushed. and ben
r~everently. 90 il in a holy presence.
y would, said another gentleman, "yor
had some relic which might b a. 4 chain
leading from our hearts to his."
Il have suoh q relic," replied tho aeet
creature, and with trembling fingers b,
took from his bosom a rud metal sus-
psnded around his neck by q string. ''Thi,
the chief gave ME" continued he, ito mari
h1s good will for some slight sesvics l did
And has il boon in his hands," asked the
crowd eagerly.
Himself hung 1t around my neck" said
the veteran.
Then the mighty mass was hushed again
there was no noise. but Z straining OF
n1ed eyes and a throbbing Of hearts and
oneeks pale with northumberland excite
naent 40 might b caused in q mans soul
BY some sacred memorial Of one hi honored
and loved dearly.
Upon the medal we're the letters &C. W.
speak to NJ OF him and of his time "
said the crowd,
A few words the old man spoke; bu. few
anu rambling AZ they were. people listened
a. to the accents Of an ora ole.
Then it was time for him In atav Ahnro M
longer. So he rose, assisted by such of the
~Dystanders whose q and reputation
gave them right to the honor, and slowly
descended. The mass divided to form q
passage for him and his escort, and they
passed forward. INC a. be passed the
young boys struggled to HIM hat they
might take his HAND or touch his garments.
he women. too, brought their infants to
De placed for a moment in his arms, and
every head Was uncovered.
noticed that there was little shouting
or ciapping Of hands. but . dssp-felt senti-
Tar more honorable to its object than the
Ioudest acclamations.
In q short time the white haired ancient
Was out OF sight. the square was cleared
and ! stood in it with no other companion
but the philosopher.
',Is it we'll" said l. that such reverence
De bestowed BY a great, people on a crsa-
ture like themselves? The self respect
each one has for his own nature might run
tae risk OF ettncement were such things
often seen. Besides, it IL not allowed that
man pay worship TO his fellow"
Fear not" said the philosopher, "the
occurrences you have just witnessed spring
from the fairest and manifest traits in the
soul. Nothing more becomes y nation
than paying its choices houors to the
memory OF those who have fought for it or
iaoored Tor Its good. BY thus often bring
up their examples before the eyes of tie
living. Others are invited to follow in the
same glorious path.
DO you suppose. young man. that it ia
by sermons and oft repeated precepts We
form a disposition great or good. The
model of our pure, UPRIGHT character. liy-
ing as a beacon in history. does more to
benefit than the numbering tones OF a
thousand theorists.
No, 1t is we'll that the benefactors of a
state be 30 kept alive in memory and in
song when their bodies are uoulderino.
Then will it be impossible for a people to
become enslaved. for though the strono
arm OF their old defender come not ar for
merlJ to the battle his spirit is there
through the power of remembrance, and
wields : better sway even than if it were of
f1eshv substance"
The words of the philosopher sounded in
distinctly to my ears. and his features
faded as in a mist. l awoke, and LOOKING
through the window, saw that the sun had
just sunk in the west-two hours having
passed away since the ommenceme of
my afternoon slumber.