The Somerset reporter., 1895-05-30
old. Ii was a wonderful scene [


about in huge baskets, and there were
armies of people laden with fragrant
| blossoms. The white stones everywhere
CLEANED i'll the sun.
As the orphan children marched
round the gray tomb of the unknown, "
piling against the stone their wreaths
and bouquets. and the music played
sad dirge Pen went up and laid the
pretty wreaths of myrtle and white flow
ers that his mother had made with the
others. He whispered to Captain Jackson:
IF mother could see this, she wouldn't
cry so much. Oh, it's glorious to be a
soldierlh
Pen, now it's time to give your note
To General Grant, said the captain.
They are coming down from the plat.
form. .
\ blue coated officer handed the let
ter to the general. He opened and read
it, every word The little, wrinkled,
crumpled hit of paper seemed to interest
him. He looked down at the small eager
face and smiled. He went up to him,
leaving the procession moment, and
took Pens hand in his own and said
warmly Il an glad to see you, my lad.
Tell your mother General Grant re-
members her today and all she has
done.
The little fellow in the monded Jacket
looked 50 very manly and as the gen
eral passed ON toward his carriage no
prince could he prouder than this little
Virginia lad ever General Grant mes
SAGE to his mother.
The flowers were heaped about the
white stones The bands marched out
side the biz gates The pretty children
planted little flags beside each grave,
and as the sun went down over the bean
tiful trees the tramping grew tar off,
and the people said to one another,
"How perfect it all has beenr"
An old So lier at the gate proved to
be n former neighbor of CAPTAIN Jack
son. and in talking he inoujred "Wht
did you say this little chap was, cap
tain?"
pen Hunter. His father, John Pen
dleton Hunter, was killed in the battle
of the Wilderness, or died afterward
We never gel the particulars straight,
but they do ny their bones lie there
Johns and 5 eldest bows. Sans"
"Hunter: Hunter = Hun You
and the boy Jump into our ambulance
and go down to camp to supper You
are tired and the boy looks fit to drop
with excitement. !"
Over the cohblestones to the avenue
there was no other kind Of street theE
| Il. L
barracks After good supper they sat
on the bench beside the open tent telling
war stories until Pen fell asleep with
his head on the old captain s shoulder.
Hello, comrades!" shouted a soldier
as he threw himself from his saddle and
loined tho group by the door.
"Hello!" was the answering greet
ing. I'm for all night"
Il hope SO. Been ON duty since 6 a.
m. ;"
The noise awakened Pen, who sat up
and looked at the newcomer John, 8"
said the old soldier, there's little fell
Ter from down by the James river some
where. Maybe he can tell you about
your old neighbors. "
No danger of that" gloomily re-
piled the newcomer. "All swept out of
the country. I've had to give up looking
for my people-given up ~ He leaned
his head on his hands and groaned
just what did you say his name
was?' the soldier asked of Captain Jack
SON.
"Pen, tell him your whole name, :"
said Captain Jackson to the boy.
"Pendeton John Hunter, " said Pen
promptly.
The newcomer sprang to his feet He
lifted the boy eff the bench and forcely
asked, staring into his face, And what
was your father 5 name."
John Pendleton Hunter Pen comes
first in my name "
Slowly the soldier went on, with a
gasp and a catch in his breath, "Aud
what was your mothers nance"
Mary Hunter. "
The big. tail fellow, in his army blue
overcoaf leaned a little forward rs if he
might fall. He caught Pen up in his
arms and said: "Oh my boyl 1t is my
own little boy. Pen!"
The other two men wiped their eyes
on their coatsleeves and turned away
their faces. From his trembling voice
''ii.' oi,o ''"io .""o i'ai -" y" O"'
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