Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-11-16
ARTHUR's TRIBUTE.
story of a Boy who Gave His Flowers to
Living Soldier.


Living Soldier.
Papa, oh, papa pleaded Arthu
laying a little dimpled hand on papa
coat sleeve, "say it again, please, It'll
such big word. ! can't member it.
Decoration day." repeated paps
looking up from his paper and an
nouncing each syllable slowly.
Now this was just what Arthur
wanted; he jumped on papa's knee il
a trice, saying in his pretty coaxine
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, ''I'll tell you first, and you tell me
sitter, then, papa, we'll both go to bed.
You must do just like me, acause we're
playing together now mustn't he,
mamma?"
~Oh, You rogue" laughed mamma,
come, let's see how well you can tell
your story, perhaps win let You stay
up later tonight"
"Well, said Arthur, II know this,
mamma has got the beautifullest
baslet-haven't you. mammal and |
can't pick any flowers acause we're
going to tie red, and blue, and white
ribbons all around There they are on
mammals workable. We bought EN-
down town this morning, mamma and
mo, and that's all know 'cept we're
going in the horseears to the grave.
yard. Now it's your turn, papa"
$50, so, my little man, said papa.
The flowers, and the ribbons and the
beautiful basket, are very pretty part
Of Decoration day, but 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 men left their homes to join the
army, leaving behind mother. wife or
sister, who could only pray with
trembling lips that their loved ones
might be spared But cannon balls
they flew, sparing few. Arthur. my
boy, may you never see a battlefield
strewn with the dead and dying; it is
an awful, piteous sight; foe and
friend lie side by side, dead, for love of
their country. Not one, Arthur, not
two, but hundreds and thousands;
some so MANNED and disfgured
hot haf 4,~tA lie
could not recognize their faces;
nearly all so far from home that
they could not be laid where the moth
er, wife or sister could weep sometimes
at their graves. SO they were buried
near the spot where they fell. with no
other honor than that Of having fought
bravely and died soldiers death. After
the war the soldiers returned home-as
l said before, Arthur, this all happened
years ago, and those who are left are
old and gray. Every year the number
grows smaller as they are called away
one by one to the land of eternal
peace. In every part of the land
north, south, east, west-can be found
the graves of these brave men. and
the cemeteries and cover their graves
with flowers to show that we remem-
Der with gratitude their courage and
service. Not one is forgotten, from
The great general who led the army 10
the humble soldier who stood ready in
the ranks. one amidst thousands T"
Papa, answered Arthur. heaving
fc aver. ,,,,,,1,
prettier than mine. Oh. just love the
dear. good soldiers. Can / put my
basket on the grave of some poor
soldier who didn't have a horse or beat
a drum love him best accuse nobody
could see him"
do as you wish. Arthur. answered
papa, looking at him lovingly, and with
this promise Arthur went to bed
The next morning rose bright and
clear. Mamma dressed Arthur in his
blue velvet suit. combed out his sunny
hair, and gave him the basket of
4 wers- Such basket as only tender
loving hands could fashion, one that
any mother would love to see on the
grave of her darling soldier boy. and
III iitt HNEtucf ana ANntI Npo lDI IAlt
dear. innocent child who would place
them there
The streets were crowded. a real gala
7av. Officers in brilliant uniforms
rode swiftly by Oh gayly caparisone6
xteeds: carriages were 6lled with bright
faces ard choice flowers: once il
awhile huge wagons filed to overflow
..-.sl,. .waH,,-~ ar.I ..,.-....,..-
rrrlhled bv. all going in the direction
OF TIE cemetery.
arthurciasped mamma S dress Tight,
with one hand. and with the othei |
held his prescious basket, looking /
around the while with bright, question |
ing eyes
Suddenly nc stopped. pulling a,
ma nma's hand: Mamma. mamma.