St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-05-31
A MYRTLE WREATH.


the Grand Army have asked every
body to 60 and lay flowers on the
soldiers graves all over our land. 1t
says on the 30th of May, by order OF
the commander in chief, John A.
Logan, headquarters, Washington"
PENS mother stood quite still with
her broom in her hand. She was
tidying up the little cabin after sup.
per.
ooh, mother" the boy went on,
"if you and could go to Arlington
and see the big tomb for the un'
knowns and put flowers on father
and SAM"
Mrs. Hunter wound her arm
around her boy and stood thinking
for moment of the "big tomb" and
the "2, Ill" men whom it common
GRATED Unknown soldiers ALL She
wondered if Ill hearts were ach-
ing over their dead like hers! From
what awful places these nameess
dead had been gathered He and
Sam must lie in that company
ut would be beautiful, Pen, to do
it," she said" but we have no money,
and it is long way"
Il do believe could make it," said
the boy, and then, he added,
Couldn't we sell something ?"
Mrs. Hunter laughed. What have
we to sell but Garry and Peggy, and
there's plenty OF little sisters in this
country"
Pen tucked his head under his
mothers arm minute, and then
rapturously burst forth: II have it !!
Roger Clarke wants my birds eggs
He offered me $10w
A voice at the open door interrupt
ed him:
Good mornn, Mrs. Hunter. |
heard Pen tell you the news. You
better let him go. It'll be a sight for
the boy to see. I'll look out for him,
I'm goin. I've saved up bit, and
I'm goin back to see the old one
legged tellers! Last time marched
through the capital we were ragged
tattered lot, and | carried the old
flag up Pennsylvania avenue! BY
lingo, Pen, wen go, and it'll be a
grand time. Obey the generals or
ders, l say. Speeches ana bands and
flowers for our comrades ~
Old neighbor Jackson, Union sol
der, lived close by the Hunters. He
had been very kind to the little fami.
ly, and they relied on his judgment
in all doubtful matters. 1t was now
decided that Pen should sell his birds
eggs collection and 60 to Washing
ton.
Pendleton Hunters father and his
eldest brother both had been at one
time reported killed in the battle o.
the Wilderness. Another repoit
reached the family that both had
died III a Washington hospital. BIZ
the truth what it might, Mrs. Hunter
and the children felt sure their sol
diers lay buried under the tomb o
tie Unknown" at Arlington. How
many a woman, who can neve
know it Tor a certainty, has hopeC
that her hero lies there, gathered by
his country into an honored grave
Both armies had had hand il
practically destroying the prosperity
of the country from Washington tC
Richmond. The old home OF tn,
Hunters lay in the path, and on
night it got burned to the ground.
The Unionist mother. with he
three young children, went farthe
back from the railroads, unable
lrlendless as she was, to cross TIL
lines northward.
Under their privations, sickness
and poverty they had now sunk GU
OF sight. Practically they were los
out OF the world. Their old friend
and neighbors were scattered iron
their homes as well as they, ant
there was nobody to seek them out
They titled a spot of land arount
their rude ca bin and lived, they hard
ly knew how from day to day. Blu
in the hardest, hungrlest hour Mrs
Hunter made their lot endurable t
the children by teaching them tina
they were suffering Tor their country
Enduring hunger tor the government
This and their father and brothe
falling dead on the battlefield wer
parts of one and the same grand
glorious thing! And 1t did max
hunger easier TO the soldiers chill
dren. To be hungry and say moth
ing was to them part OF the battle q
the Wilderness and the gloriou
tomb of the unknown" at Airing
ton.
And had they not wealth @
splendid memories? At least had no
Pen? Pen had seen General Grant a
the head of his men passing throug
the old place. Phil Sheridan and hi
cavalry had clattered past thei
door. The girls could remembe
their soldier father, with his soldie
cap and the big brass buttons on tn
army blue coat. 1t never died out
the Thoughts of the humble tamil
that they were part OF the war
that they had helped save the Unlor
At the slightest mention of Genera
Grants name, their fathers genera
the girls, as we'll as Pen, lifted thel
heads like little Warhorses.
And now Pen was gong to tn
Decoration day service at Arlington
HIS Jacket was neatly mended,