Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-05-31
CAPTAIN JIM.

Tomorrow Is Decoration Day, com
Fades. Report for marching orders q
early as nine.
well all be here, Major, wonde
II Captain Jim will?"
A group Of grand army men. were
furnishing their accoutrements IN the
village hall. A curious bystandel
made the query.
"Who Is Captain Jim, may ask?"
Captain Jim Prescott, replied the
second speaker, "is an old soldler-nont
drawer In the war. He came bach
minus an arm, got married, and led {
happy and prosperous life till two years
ago. Then drink got hold Of him
You know what that means. He wen
down. Last year his bcoken-hearted
wife left him. Only his daughter
Edna, beautiful girl Of seventeen,
clung to his broken fortunes"
"Do they live here?"
an the old cottage he once kept 30
trim she is sacrificing her life for him,
for Norman Bea'e, one OF the finest
young fellows In town, wants TO marry
her, but Edna believes it her duty to
care for the sad wreck rum has made
of Captain Jim. About three months
ago an old comrade took him South, on
the chance of reforming him. Edna
has great hopes, so has our Colonel
He told me jim would be here tonight
70 join in the cerem )nies tomorrow,
but fear he has fallen by the way
SIDE"
Edna Prescott, sorrowful partici-
pator in this bit OF family history,
thought 80, too, as, watching from the
window OF her lonely home, the hours
went by and her father did not appear.
She had received encouraging letters
from his comrade, but her hopes now
misgave her and seemed to predict
failure for her many plans for reunit-
ing husband and wife.
Her mother, who was living with a
sister in an adjoining place, would GER
tainly visit the village cemetery where
her brothers were buried on the NOR
row, yet when morning broke after
sleepless night, Edna had scarcely the
heart to engage in the days ceremo-
MES.
She was arranging some flowers when
che sound OF muflled drums told her
that the procession had started. She
Razed from the window, sadly thinking
Of other days like this when Captain
Jim had looked the hero he was at the
head Of his old company. She recalled,
100, the last Decoration Day. when his
fatal habit had made him an object OF
pity to all his friends. Would that
humiliation be repeated on this SOL
AlFnnlt, nNuoat Mo-, OoptvrO
"Qh, what Is this? Father on earth,
my JOY is complete; Father In heaven,
thank thee"
Down upon her knees in prayer, the
happy tears dimming her sight, Edna
sank. The survivors Of Company A
were marching by, and at their head,
clothed in new, neat uniform, clothed,
as we'll, in his right mind again, the
bleared eyes gore, the noble face seri-
GUS with earnest dignity, washer
fatherl
One glance told Edna that he was
reclaimed. That moment OF Joy atoned
for all the dark fears Of the lonely
night.
When she gained the cemetery the
ceremonies of the day had begun. On
everybody's lips the name OF CAPTAIN
Jim lowered, coupled with words that
showed how lovingly he was esteemed,
how welcome in this new guise of man
hood.
1t was just after the final address
chat Edna went to the soldiers monu-
nent. A yelled form was kneeling at
1ts railing. Edna recognized her
mother.
About to speak, she raused. Her
father and the Colonel we're approach
Ing. Captain Jim saw the kneeling
form. His lips trembled. He glanced
appealingly at Edna. She took his hand
In silence and led him forward.
Mother" she murmured In the ear
Of the yelled mourner, Joining the
twain in tremulous finger.clasp, "let
this poor one hand plead for its dear
owner. Look up and see."
And let my earnest heart, truly
brought purified through the fire Of
temptation and affection, Join In the
prayer that you will forgive the past.
Mary, can you doubt me this time?"
Mrs. Prescott looked once at the
changed, earnest face of the reformed
man. Then she put out her arms, and
those two were one again.
Edna"
The weeping, happy girl started as
the name was softly whispered, and
thrilled as we'll, for her lover spoke.
MY DEAR" he continued, as not that
reunion presage of the future from
which may take hope?"
Norman" murmured Edna, "can you
doubt my hearts wish? My father will |
not need me always now"
And 80, amid the glory of the odor-
GUS lilies and the sanctity of memories
true hearts alone can understand. |
those four knew that love ineffable .
had been gained and regained upon
that solemn, peaceful Decoration Day.