The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-05-27
So the daily coaching in the back

So the daily coaching in the back
pasture went on without interruption.
The cows chewed their cuds; the sheep
lifted their dull heads and were not
wise enough to wonder, though occa-
sion for wonder grew. For, marvel Of
marvels1 Mr.. Blodgett, after the elocu-
ton lessons, fell to telling war stories
to his grandson.
This was the first common interest
OF their lives. Sammy felt he was find
ing place in his grandfather's heart.
How good and loud" he would speak
that hated piece, for payment!
Mr.. Blodgett, in his turn, tried his
utmost to keep Dave Simpsons name
out of his "reminiscences. He fought
against it all the more because he was
conscious of strange and tender renewal
OF his old friendship; but Dawes name
crept into almost every tale.
So it came about that one day he
blundered on the story of that time
when Dave Simpson had saved his life
at the peril of his own. Then he faltered
and finally broke down. He had put the
incident out of his heart and mind.
What good friends they had been
he and Dave! Either would have died
for the other as readily as for the dear
old flag. And now they were enemies,
though the veterans of Plunkett-her
only soldiers left!
He strove to become angry again.
"'Twas a mean thing for Dave to do,
anyhow to ketch me up SOL" he was
growing, just when Sammy interrupted
with a burst he had long repressed: so,
gran'pa! how 1 wisht l could see you
dressed up like a soldier!"
The old man thought a moment
well, come along" he said. He did not
understand why he humored the boy.
He was more of a mystery to himself
than to Sammy.
Ssh! Sh!" Blodgett led the way 20
the dusl<y, cobwebbed garnet. He took
from the old chest faded army coat, a
soldiers cap, a knapsack and a musket.
Ssh! Sh!" AS stealthily as they had
assembled they crept down the stairs, and
so, with their precious burden, to the
secluded back pasture.
Then Bill Blodgett, with an express
sion on his face that was new to Sammy,
put on the battered blue, placed the cap
above his thin, gray locks, adjusted the
knapsack, shouldered the musket.
Now, indeed, thoughts of Dave Simp-
son crowded to the front. How proud
ly he and Dave had tramped away to-
gether in their army blue! Others had
gone with them. Who had returned
Only himself and Dave. How they had
cheered each ether on the toilsome
marches!
''Now, Sammy" cried Blodgett, trem-
bling with awkward earnestness, "Fll
show we how Dave and me used to"
A twig snapped. A stone FELL from
the wall. The flock of frightened sheep
ture. With ringing cry, Dave Simp-
son leaped the wall like boy.
Hold on, Billy! I'll drill ye."
"Dave!"
attention.! Present arms!"
Bill Blodgett obeyed the old words OF
command instantly, and with true sol
dierly gravity. Sammy's delighted
HedTU nearly DuTSl us JULIUS, UelIdy illS5,
its excitement in every tense muscle.
When the drill was ended, nervous ST.
lence ensued till Simpson broke it:
Say, Billy, let's wear the old uniform to
the fiagraising tomorrow"
Seems if 'twould be the proper thing
to do" responded Mr.. Blodgett.
That was all. Not a smile, not a
hand-shake, not word Of repentance;
yet the miracle of reconciliation had
been wrought. And at the celebration
on Memorial day the two veterans were
present in their faded eloquent uni
forms. No speeches came from their
lips, for their hearts were too full, but
Sammy spoke up good and loud"
enough to redeem the loss, and the flag
was raised by Blodgett and Simpson,
pulling together on the rope. Then,
at another pull from little Polly, it
trembled, futtered and flung its glory
to the welcoming breeze, while the chill
dren cheered with a will, and their
elders softly, with something Juggling
at their throats.-Emily j. Langley, in
Youths Companion.
Not for the Dead Alone.
NOT for the dead alone this day we cherish: