The Van Buren press., 1893-06-03
ARTHuR's DECORATION DAY.
Story Of Boy Who Gave His Flowers to "a
Living Soldier.

Story OF Boy Who Gave His Flowers to IA
Living Soldier.
Papa, oh, papa pleaded Arthur
laying little dimpled hand on pa pa S
coat sleeve, SAY it again, please. it's
such big word, can't member it,"
Decoration day." repeated papa
looking up from his paper and an
nouncing each syllable slowly.
Now this was just what Arthur
wanted; he jumped on papa's knee in
a trice, saying in his pretty coaxing
way: Throw down the old paper,
papa, and tell me all about Dec-decra-
tion day."
well, little man, first tell papa what
you know about it. said papa, letting
the paper fall unheeded on the floor
and pulling one ofthe golden curls that
brushed his shoulder .l...I
"All right" cried Arthur delighted
ly, "I'll 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"
sob, you rogue" laughed mamma,
"come, let's see how well you can tell
your story, perhaps l 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 acause we're
going to tie red, and blue, and white
ribbons all around. There they are on
mammas work table. We bought 'em
down town this morning. mamma and
me, and that's all l 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.
1.-THE flowers. and the ribbons, and the
beautiful basket, are very pretty part
OF Decoration day, but there is a 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
heed no ones prayers; thick as hail
they flew, sparing few. Arthur. my
boy, may you never see 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
that even their dearest friends
could not recognize their faces;
nearly all so far from home that
they could not be laid where the moth
err. wife or sister could weep sometimes
ut their graves. So they were buried
near the spot where they fell, with nc
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
wears 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 DE found
the graves of these brave men, and
once a wear on certain day we go to
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 to
the humble soldier who stood ready IN
the ranks, one amidst thousands"
"Papa," answered Arthur, heaving u
deep sigh; your story is ever SO much
prettier than mine. Oh, l just love the
dear. good soldiers. Can l put my
basket on the grave Of some poor
soldier who didn't have horse or beat
a drum? love him best acause 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 ms
hlue velvet suit, combed out his sunny
hair. and gave him the basket OF
Aowers Such basket as only tender
loving hands could fashion, one that
ony mother would love to see on the
crave of her darling soldier boy, and
ali the sweeter and fairer too Tor the
dear, innocent child who would place
them there.
The streets were crowded, real gala
day. Officers in brilliant u uniforms informs
rode swiftly by on gayly caparisoneo
steeds; carriages were filled with bright
faces and choice flowers; once ~
awhile huge wagons filed to overflow
ing with wreaths, anchoss anu .' CROSSES
rumbled by all going in the direction
of the cemetery.
Arthur clasped mammals dress tightly
tn an. hand. and with the Other
hs,d his prescious basket, looking
arourd - the while with bright, question
." Suddenly he stopped, pulling a.
,a,s hand: Mamma, mamma