The National tribune., 1892-05-26


A grateful land remembers all her promises to-day.
And hearts that gave their treasures up when
manhood was The price,
Now bring their sweetest offering, and bless the
sacrifice. Anna opdycke Carroll. o.
THE STORY OF MEMORIAL DAY.
By Emma B. AEdrica.
It was May, '6L Priscilla Townsend. in the little
gray school-hoa was turning the key Of her desk
when a shadow crossed the door, and looking up
she saw her brother outside.
"weIl, Edward, come In; school has just dis
missed
II can guess what was the subject of your las.
recitation, for here Is the flag in crayon on the
blackboard"
yes Aluira Hand drow il at noon recess; with
a little training she would be an artist She has
quite much taste as her sister Amelia"
Are they not artists already. even in their pro-
sale everyday duties? If you meet Amelia going
to the barnyard with her arms full Of kettles to
bring the foaming milk. her kettles are bright and
shining. her dress in keeping with her work-clean
but showing excellent taste-and when the milk IS
transformed into Jumps of yellow butter. they are
artistcally printed and wrapped in snowy cloths,
and have the genuine clover aroma that brings a
few cents more per pound But, am IN hurry to
go home so let that dull boy off tonight, and come
with me while / break news TO mother, for
she will need us both to cheer her."
Freling Hewett glad to hear the word, Tor
he, too, was In a hurry to break some news TO his
mother. 1t unusual thing for him to be
detained, but his mind would attend to no lesson
that day, except the history which Priscilla mad
taken special pains 10 impress or their memory,
not dreaming her own patriotism would be
weighed in the balance with love of her brother
Only three miles away, at the Countyseat, the
men had gathered for three days past leaving their
plows In the fields while they talked over the sit
uation and waited to hear the latest news brought
by the stage. The question In many minds was,
Shall we go or stay? Fired BY strains OF martial
music from old DIR. Dickinson's fife and Joshua
Townsends drum, that had years ago called the
men to general training" Frelng resolved TO go.
Locking the door of the schoohouse Edward
and Priscilla drove leisurely 10 their home, the
III. Iyrsa
listed :" and her answer, How can spare yon?
After supper. which was ready, Edward said:
"Mother have enlisted" Her answer was:
your country needs you. and will not hold you
back"
81 have no time to arrange anything" he said;
Priscilla will see to that and write to me daily. at
first. at least. Good-by, mother. If L should not
return do not blame yourself that you gave your
consent for me to CO."
lay near by, Priscilla could restrain her tears
nc longer bnt said: 81 never knew how much
loved brother before. Take this you VIII need u;
and this Bible. May it be a comfort to you until
your return"
Edward passed through the gate and turned for
a last look ut home with the golden western sky
for a background, and 10 also seemed dearer than
ever before; hut waving to those LETT benlnd. ne
went with quckened step down the main road 70
the Countyseat. Nearing Amelia's house, he saw
her Just crossing the road with her we'll hlled pals
Of milk, but was Obliged to follow the circuIicus
route though n straight line would havo been
across a field of plowed ground. where the pear
trees in bloom looked like snow, that she had
time to reach the house and strain the nlk before
| he entered.
Her mind. too, was busy. All day long the mu-
sic had been waited by the south wind to their door
from the hotel office. where men were enroiiing
their names to 20 into the army. Her brother
Frank had taken an active part expecting TO De
Captain of the company when mustered. She naa
not thought of Edward going, SO absorbed had she
been in their own family interests. Going to the
sitting room to light wood fire, TO take on the
chill of the evening that accompanies the sea ar,
she touched q match to the kindilng ana SHUT the
door, when n series of meows rent the air, out no.
where could a cat be Frank came to assist IN
tho hunt and found the cries came from the stove
SO opened the door. when the cat. with one side
s:nged to the skin, ran out into the xitehen.
You poor fool!" calculated Amelia and Just
then turned her head to see Edward coming
through the entry door. having been admitted at
the front door by younger brother All three
| were embarrassed, and Edward was shocked 10
hear Amelia's expression. thinking II applied 10
Frank, and that II was her sentiment because
Frank had enlisted.
Edward said: ~ see you are already starting
Frank, will walk down with you"
With a hasty embrace and shake of the hand OF
each one of the family by Frank, and handshaS,
ing by Edward who showed a GOODNESS toward
Amelia so opposite to what he had intended the
loving words he had framed unspoksn. and not
even asking her to write to him. they started.
Passing with others to the office of the County
Clerk they answered the roll call, and were duly
accredited on the list as filling the quota OF the
County; then to the hotel where the citizens had
prepared a supper their parting token then out
on the turnpike, where the line Of carriages stood
waiting to transport them ~ miles to the nearest
Here were the hardest partings of fathers
| mothers husbands brothers, wives and sweet
| hearts, Not light seen in the village every
one standing by the line of carriages with only the
| dim light of the moon. The first carriage filled
with young men; Grove lew ya.Ds 40 20 paS Wit,
| and Blue" The second advanced, when the ire,
| irresistible Joe Holmes called out: Ladies and
gentlemen shed no tears for The volunteers OIL tlS
Carriage; we go to serve country" In the
| third "a father was requesting Deighoor 10 iooS
| after his family while absent. TAKE my o9y
IA u 4nn
not come back VT seemed as II he knew not what
to ask and it was unsaid. On the step OF the last
carriage Frank poised 10 shake hands with group
| of schoo-grIs his fun-loving friends. The most
| sedate said: "Good-by, Frank; we know fs Is I'M
possible for all to come back, but which one Will
"Yes some will be left, but who of US will 1t BET"
| The word was given to move on. when Frelng
| bounded into the road. and taking his father BY
| the shoulder, Father, l must go. ! am old
enough enc if you consent. Speak quickly
| "Do you really mean Iii?
pe ni cry and the answer: "ao; II you are
| killed I shall be indeed bereaved; but go with
vour neighbors who will take care Of you"
signing the last name on the enlistment roll and
| calling, feather tell mother goodby for me; he
soon overlook the carriages and WAS "a comrade.
Hare and there a light showed people had gone
| quietly home with their silent grief. but most OF
them spent the night as many that followed, won,
| dernp how the boys were faring; If they were well
and comfortable. Amelia felt rs If all LIES bur-
dens had been rolled upon her at once Father
dead the OF the Iarin ana stIiSinB W appeal
cheerful before her mother, taxed her TO the Ut
most while the GOODNESS of Edward she could not
understand; no message or pictures of the boys IN
uniform of which all were so proud, ever came TO
| her from him. No duty was neglected, but all per-
formed mechanically. ,..,
The golden days Of Autumn brought news OF the
hattie Of F. and in the list of wounded WAS the
| name of Frank. In few days letter from Ed
ward. telling of his last hours and bis request to
.end the body home and write to Amelia the full
narticulars; that q piece of shell tore through his
bodv which also struck Freling. killing him in
stsntly Edwards letter was not only one oil sym
nsthy and praise of the heroic conduct OF those
Who had given their lives for their country, but
breathed penitence for the GOODNESS shown Amelia
| He stated: "While was leaning over Frank 10
catch his last wishes, he said: Be true to Amelia,
| she has so much to bear in caring for others"
| "But her sympathy was not with YOU she
| called you a poor fool just as you were about TO
| hid her good bye" said.
| "Why Edward" said the dying boy, ut was
| not me she meant It the cat that had crept
into the stove just the fire was lighted. DO not
associate that expression with my enlistment.
| No one 10 more oysl and devoted to our country
| than She and tell her for me what mistake mas
| been made because She cares for YOU,
| "If this ba true" added Edward In closing,
| will you not answer this letter yourself as
| tok en- of forgiveness"
| There was no need of any persuasion for Ameiia
4 her, thah hollis nj Frank