Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-05-27
ASLEEPATHISPOST.
By GILBERT PATTEN.



With mufled drums and measured
tread the little band OF battle marked
and time Scared veterans-hOnored
heroes OF the noble army that fought
TO preserve the Union-marched
through the cemeteries that lay Sleep
Jog on the southwark sloping hillside.
The bslmy breath OF springtine was 10
the air, and when they passed onward,
after pausing at 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 = tiny flag, the dearly
loved red, white and blue-duttered be-
side the marble tombstone.
At length they halted by a white
shaft that bore the name OF John Lor-
ing" followed by this strange inscrip-
tiOp:
Pardon is granted because Of his faith
ful service and splendid record as brave
and loyal soldier. A. LINCOLN.
With a single exception every head
was uncovered and bowed as the How
ers and flag were placed on the grave.
One there was among them, however,
who stood up Stiitiy, with his cord en-
circled hat unremoved from his head,
his age lined face grave and emotion
less, as II carved from adamant.
Never In all the years since they be-
gan decorating that grave had Upcle
Dan'l BrintOn been known to remove his
hat there or 10 any manner show be
mOurned for and hoGored the sleeping
cOmrade with whom be had fought
almost shoulder TO shoulder In the same
company. Publicly he made no expla-
nation of his singular conduct, and when
questioned be simply shook his head
aud looked Rrimmer than usual. Any
other man of that company would have
received the severest censurO from his
comrades, but Uncle DAM was acknowl-
edged TO be "a little queer" and strait
laced" so his act was passed over In
silence.
There were those, however, who
limited that there had once been feud
between the two men, aud that even
death bad not sOftened the heart Of
stubborn old Uncle Dan'l; but, il this
was true, the facts were not public
property.
Atall the other graves where the vet
Grams paused and uncovered he removed
his hat and bowed his head with the
rest, his grim features softening and
something like a tender look creeping
into his eyes, once so err AMI bright,
but uow growing dim with advancing
age.
Among those gathered at the ceme-
terry 10 watch the solemn memorial
ceremonies was plainly dressed but
pretty girl OF IS. She was attired in
common print, and the shoes on her
feet were made for wear instead of
beat ty, but nothing could conceal the
grace Of her budding figure, the lady
like shapeliness Of her almost delicate
hands, the pearly whiteness Of her
small and even teeth and the limpid
sparkle of her clear blue eyes.
There was something like look OF
mingled pride and pain on her face as
she saw Uncle Dan'l stand up so rightly
By John LOring's grave, and she
glanced slyly at = manly young fellow
q few years older than herself who
stood with his hand on the bit Of q
spirited horse, restlessly tapping the
tops OF his high boots with the riding
whip be carried. She saw the young
lellOW was WdtCulu8 OuCio Tau al
the while, biting his lips and occasion
ally pulling at his light muStache.
When all the graves had been visited
aud the ceremonies had been completed,
Uncle Dan'l saluted the commander and
fell out Of the company, immediately
coming straight toward the giri, whose
face frightened as be approached.
"I'm relieved from marcnin back to
town, little one" be said. Then his
eyes fell oG the young man in the riding
suit, and be started q BIT, shadow set
ting on his face while be went on lift
ing his voice a trifle, I'm gettin purity
old fur marchin, but I've alwus done
my duty In ev'ry campaign, and l never
slept at my post"
The young man wheeled suddenly and
looked straight at the old soldier, but
Uncle DAM turned his back, still speak
ing to the girl:
'Come, Jennie, wen 60 home now.
Them as don't deserve it has been hon
ored like them as do, and the decoratin'
is all over"
She took his arm, and they went
slowly down the road together, followed
by a longing gaze from the dark eyes OF
the young fellow In the riding suit.