The Red Cloud chief., 1894-05-25
ASLEEP AT HIS POST.
ny GILBERT PATTEN.
Copyright, 1904, by American Press Associa.
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I(ODyTlKut, I0tt, ny hT1lfIlCUu ITCSH ASHOCI0s
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With muflod drums and measured tread
the little band Of battle marked and time
SCARED vetcrans-honorcd heroes OF the no
bio army that fought to preserve the Union
marched through the cemetery that lay
sleeping on the southwark sloping hillside.
The balmy breath of springtime was in the
air. and when they passed onward. after
pauslnR mt the last resting place OF some
dead comrade, the sweet perfume Of flowers
rose from the green grass that grew above
the departed soldiers breast, while n tiny
fag-the dearly loved red, white and blue
-fluttered beside the marble tombstone.
At length they halted by a white shaft
That bore the name of John Loring," fol-
lowed by this strange inscription:
Pardon IL granted because Of his faithful
service and splendid record as u bravo and
loyal soldier. A. LINCOLN.
With n single exception every head was
uncovered and bowed M the flowers and
nag were placed on the grave. One there
was among them. however, who stood up
stif1y, With his cord encircled hat unre-
moved from his white head. his age lined
face grave and emotionless, as IL carved
irom claimant.
Never In all tho years since they began
decorating that grave had Uncle Dan'l
Brinton been known to remove his hat there
or In any manner show he mourned for and
honored the sleeping comradc with whom
he had fought almost shoulder to shoulder
In the same company. Publicly he made
no explanation of his singular conduct, and
when questioned he simply shook his head
and looked grimmer than usual. Any other
man OF that company would have received
tim CaVnraaf nnputtrn frN,,. LII. -
Uncle Dan1 was acknowledged to be "a
little queer and "strait laced,' 30 his act
was passed over I'm silence.
There were those, however. who limited
that there had once been n feud between
che 20 men, and that even death had not
softened the heart Of stubborn old Uncle
Danl; but, IL this was true, the facts were
not public property.
At all the other graves where the yeter-
ans paused and uncovered he removed his
hat and bowed his head with the rest, his
grim features softening and something like
. tender look creeping into his eyes, once 10
clear and bright, but now growing dim
with advancing age.
Among those gathered at the cemetery to
watch the solemn memorial ceremonies was
, plainly dressed but pretty girl of IS. She
wal attired In common print, and the shoes
on her feet were made for wear instead OF
beauty, but nothing could conceal the
grace Of her budding figure, the ladylike
shapeliness of her almost delicate hands,
the pearly Wilderness of her small and even
teeth and the limpld sparkle Of her clear
blue eyes.
There was something like n look Of min.
gled pride and pain on her face rs she saw
Uncle Dan'l stand up SO rigidly by John
l'oring's grave, and she glanced slyly at a
manly young fellow IA few years older than
herself who stood with his hand on the bit
OF a spirited horse, restlessly tapping the
tops Of his high boots with the riding whip
he carried. She saw the young fellow was
watching Uncle Dan'l all the while, biting
his lip and occasionally pulling ut his light
mustachc.
When all the graves had been visited and
tho ceremonies had been completed, Uncle
Danl saluted the commander and fell out Of
the company, Immediately coming straight
coward the girl, whose face frightened rs
he approached.
I'm relieved from marchin back to town,
little one" he said. Then his eyes fell on
the young man In the riding suit, and no
started u bit, a shadow settling on his face
while he went on, lifting his voice a trife,
I'm gettin purity old fur marchin, but I've
alwus done my duty in ev'ry campaign, and
! never slept at my post"
The young man wheeled suddenly and
looked straight at theold soldier, but Uncle
Danl turned his back, still speaking to the
girl:
Come, Jennie, we'll 90 home now. Them
as don't deserve 1t has been honored like
them rs do, and the decoratin IL all over"
She took his ARM, and they went slowly
down the road together, followed by long
Ing gaze from the dark eyes Of the young