The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-05-24
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ARTHUR'S TRIBUTE.
Story of "A Boy Who Gave His Flowers to a
Living Soldier.

STORY OF BOY W no GaVe Ills Flowers 10
Living Soldier.
Papa, oh, papa pleaded Arthur
laying little dimpled hand on papa
coat sleeve, ''say it again, please, it's
such big word, l can't member it."
Decoration day." repeated papa
looking ap from his paper and an
nouncing each syllable slowly.
Now this was just what Arthur
wanted, he jumped on papa's knee in
trice, saying in his pretty coaxing
way: Throw down the old paper,
papa, and tell me all about Dec-decra-
| ton day
well, little man, first tell papa what
you know about it," said papa, letting
the paper fall UNDECIDED on the floor
| and pulling one of the golden curls that
brushed his shoulder.
''All right" cried Arthur, delighted
ly, III tell you first, and you tell me
| after, then, papa, We'll both go to bed.
You must do just like me, acause we're
playing together now, mustn't he,
| mammal"
''Oh, you rogue" laughed mamma,
''come, let's see how well you can tell
your story, perhaps will let you stay
up later tonight"
Well said Arthur, 81 know this,
mamma has got the beautifullest
basket-haven't you, mamma? and |
can't pick any flowers accuse we're
going to tie red, and blue, and white
ribbons all around. There they are on
mammals rl-tahe. We bought 'em
down town this morning, mamma and
me, and that's all know 'cept we're
going in the horsecars to the grave
yard. Now it's your turn, papa"
$50, so, my little man." said papa.
THE flowers, and She ribbons, and the
| beautiful basket, are very pretty part
| of Decoration day. out there is deep.
er, truer sentiment attached to these
ceremonies which should like you to
understand. a great many years ago
during the terrible civil war, all the
brave mon left their homes to join the
army, leaving behind mother, wife OF
sister, who could only pray with
trembling lips that their loved ones
might be spared. But cannon balls
| heed no ones prayers: thick as hal
they flew, sparing few. Arthur, my
boy, may you never see a battlefield
strewn with the dead and dying; it i.
an awful, piteous sight; foe ant
friend lie side by side, dead for love o
| thnir ntry Not t,.th nr
two, but hundreds and thousands
some so MANNED and disfgures
that even their dearest friend
could not recognize their faces
nearly all SO far from home tina
they could not be laid where the moth
err, wife or sister could weep sometime
at their graves. So they were burie,
near the spot where they fell, with n,
other honor than that of having Tough
bravely and died soldiers death. Afte
the waEthe soldiers returned home-a
l said before Arthur, this all happene,
years ago, and those who are left ar
old and gray. Every year the humble
grows smaller as they are called ava
one by one to the land of eterna
peace. In every part of the land
north, south, east, west-can be foun
the graves of these brave men, an
once year on a certain day we go t
the cemeteries and cover their grave
with flowers to show that we remen
Der with gratitude their courage an
service. Not one is forgotten, fror
the great general who led the army {
the humble soldier who stood ready
the ranks, one amidst thousands"
Papa" answered Arthur, heaving
, deep sigh; your story is ever so niue
prettier than mine. Oh, just love tn
dear, good soldiers. Can | put m
basket on the grave of some poo
soldier who didn't have horse or be;
, drum? Hove him best acause nobod
, could see him."
''Do as you wish. Arthur" answere
papa, looking at him lovingly, and wit
, this promise Arthur went to bed.
The next morning rose bright an
: clear. Mamma dressed Arthur in h
, blue velvet suit, combed out his sum
hair, and gave him the basket
, flowers. Such basket as only tend,
: loving hands could fashion, one thi
any mother would love to see on Il
/, grave of her darling soldier boy, al
, all the sweeter and fairer too for Il
dear. innocent child who would pla
. them there.
: The streets were crowded, a real ga
day. Officers in brilliant uniform
, rode swiftly by on gayly caparisont
: steeds; carriages were filed with brig
faces and choice flowers; once
, awhile huge wagons filed to overflo'
ing with wreaths, anchors and cross,
. rumbled by. all going in the directs
of the cemetery.
G Arthur clasped mammals dress tight
;. with one hand. and with the 9th
q held his prescious basket, looSil
around the while with bright, questio
: ing eyes.
n Suddenly he stopped, pulling
mammals hand: Mamma, MANN;