Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1896-05-30

ma even the baby turned her heal
about, seeking him in his old place In
the barn. The children chose the spot
where Jack was to be buried; under
walnut tree that stood on the edge Of
q field looking down upon the Hilton
road. It was on bleak March day that
the donkey WINS buried; Sara cried when
her father began to shovel the dirt over
him, but Philip soon comforted her by
picturing the beautiful grave they
would make when the weather grew
warm enough to cover 1t with flowers.
II don't know where we'll get the
flowers, 'cept it's lilacs; but Jacl, was
very fond Of lilacs," said Sara, drying
her eyes.
"Yes, he was," answered Philip.
"Don't you remember how he ate u
whole bushful last Decoration day?"
suppose we cover his grave with
1ilacs each year on Decoration day a.
long as we live. lie ought not to have
eaten them; but donkey Is only
donkey" said Sara, making what ex-
cuse she could for poor Jack; and then
the children raced down the hill to-
gether.
Decoration day WINS always q great
day at Hilton. Scattered about in the
little cemetery were the graves Of
few soldiers who had fought and died
In the service Of their country, and Hill
ton never failed to do them honor once
year. Greater preparations were be-
ing made for the coming celebration;
for new grave, marked by costly
monument bearing the name OF noted
general, had been made there during
the last year; brave soldier, once q
Hilton boy, whose bones had been
brought back to rest In his native
place. In addition to the usual floral
decoration OF the graves to take place
in the morning, there was to be gath.
ering on the village green in the after.
noon, when various speakers and q
brass band would entertain the crowd.
Decoration day opened warm and
bright. The lilac bushes in the Had-
lcys' front yard were full Of bloom,
md not very long after breakfast Sara
and Philip started for the donkey's
grave, Sara bearing great lunches OF
the fragrant flower and Philip carrying
q small flag. They carried lunch as
well, the plan being to join their par
cnts In the afternoon on the green.
ave haven't thought as much about
Jack lately as we ought" said Sara,
rs they climbed the hill. 1--WE must
think Of him all the morning to make
up for II. Isn't II too bad that donkeys
can't go TO Heaven?"
"Maybe there's donkey land some
where" answered Philip. hopefully.
sand anyway, Jack doesn't hive to
work any mole. He was worn out"
When the children reached the wal
nut tree in the field, theJ set to work
on the lumpy mass Of earth that
A. marked Jacks resting place. It took
q long time to smooth and shnpe It;
but after the flowers were arranged
according TO their taste. Sara and Phil
ip rested, well satisfied with their Ia
Dor.
"I'll put the flag In the middle" said
Philip, proceeding to carry out his
words. II think more flags and LEES
lilacs would have been better, don't
your"
"No, don't" answered Sara, looking
Mt Il critically. "The lilacs are espc-
cially for Jack; and the flag Is only to
show our respect for the country. This
isn't q soldiers grave"
'.But believe that Jack would have
made a splendid soldier II he hadn't
been n donkey" said Philip. thought
fully. "You KNOW good soldier is one
Who stands by Bis post and don't move.
whatever happens; and Jack had just
that kind Of spirit"
sAnd we used to whip him when he
wouldn't bulge" sighed Sura, remorsc-
fully. "3ut l think we better have
the exercises now, and then eat our
lunch;" and Philip readily agreed to
this proposal
The exercises" consisted Of patrioslo
songs, sung by the children 90 they
slowly marched around the grave. II
was willis their volcoa were sounding
ont The ringing notes Of "Amsriea,"
chat two gtntlemsu, coming along the
Hiltun road IN . carriage. had full hlghi
enc Sound 4 ~ psEiosuhuea