The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-05-24

every time see him handle his big sword
nowl''
Nonsense, Rosie. He would do moth
ing of the sort. He might lose his breath
and say things but folks are not carved up
nowadays by their fathers-in-law. Don't
you worry"
Rosie insisted, though, that she would
worry, but she admitted afterward that
her father had not definitely decided when
they should start, and that nothing had
been said concerning the army officer.
A few days later Jack saw Won Griff,
and he was tempted to go to him then, and
tell him that he knew all about his plan
to take Rosie off to Germany. The baker
was standing out in the street before his
store directing the work of two of his as
sistants who were lacking festoons of red,
white and blue bunting on the awning. 1t
was the afternoon of the day before Me-
mortal day, and it was in honor of this
that the patriotic baker was decorating.
But Jack saw Rosie looking from an up
per window, and he contented himself with
slyly throwing kiss in her direction.
Rosie hid herself from the view of her ia
Their below and threw one back.
When the parade of the veterans passed
down the main street of the village the
next day, Won Griff's bakery was resplen-
dent with the national colors. What was
lacking in taste was made up in lavish
ness. Flags little and flags big were
tackled in rows across the front of the
building. The awning posts were swathed
in red, white and blue cambria, and there
was big red lettered motto painted on
cotton cloth, which read:
HONOR TO THE HEROES.
Won Griff, the author of all this dis
play, stood under the awning looking hap
Ply, and beaming with suppressed enthusi-
asm.
With a martial roll of drums tho parade
came down the street. First came the
grand marshal on prancing big gray
horse Then came the local officials, in
two open barouches, next the band, and
behind, marching with heads erect and in
as good time as rheumatism and age stiff
fened limbs would allow, came the veter-
ans; some in full Grand Army uniform,
with white crossed belts over blue suits
and brass tipped helmets, and some with
only the black slouched hat, ornamented
with wreath Enclosed post number and the
cord and tassel, to denote that they were
of those who had fought side by side with
those whose graves they had just decorated.
The marshal of the day noticed Won
Griff's patriotic display and determined
to reward the spirit In which 1t had been
made
Refining in his gray steed, he wheeled
and gave the order to halt. Then bring
ing the veterans to company front up
and down the street he reared as he waved
his sword:
"Com-pan-ee, attention. Sa-a-a-a-alo-o-
ootl"
AS each veteran swung his right hand
up, palm outward, to his hat brim Won
Griff heart swelling and eyes dimned,
drew himself up to the most stiffiy mar (
tial attitude which his corpulency would !
allow and returned the salute
AS the veterans again formed into tours
and began to march on, Won Griff's gaze
fell on q man in veterans uniform march I
ing modestly in one of tho rear ranks. 1t
was John Fairfield.
On the day following the parade the tin !.
smith was hard at work In his shop when
in walked Won Griff. &
"Meester Fairfeldt," began the baker,
with his usual abruptness, II am Won
idiot, und you are Won hero. came here !
to ask of you your pardons."
"Oh, that's all right, J." said Fairfield,
with laugh at the bakers earnestness
and humility.
"Vill you shake mine handt?'
"Why, of course" 4
With due formalty and solemnity the
Handwriting was accomplished. But the
baker had not finished.
"Meester Fairfleldt. he continued, Eyes
terday learn dot you vos hero. Today
I find dot you are also Won gentlemans. /
"Well never considered myself hero X
Mr.. Won Griff, but thank you for the lat h
ter expression of your esteem,' replied
Fairfield, still with an amused expression \
on his face.
"But you are Won hero" persisted the
baker warmly. "Dey tell me how you
fought at Gettysburg. Dot ISIS enough.
Meester Fairfoldt, vos soldtier mine
self, und 1 fight at Sedan, but never
fought in Won grandt, Won terrible strug-
gle like you haf, und vonce more, Meester
Fairfield, salute you as Won hero. As
for your son, want you to say to him dot
he ISIS as welcome in mine house as In his
own, und dot when he ISIS ready vonce moro
to ask me Something's vioh he vonoe alretty
does will be pleased to hear him."