Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-05-28

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
marvels! 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
Numbered 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 burst he had long repressed: 20,
gran'pa! how I wisht I 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 Shi" Bloosett led the way to
| the dusky. cobwebbed garnet. He took
from the old chest n faded army coat, a
soldiers cap. lSnapsack and a musket.
"Shi Sh!" As stealthily as they had
| assembled they crept down the stairs, and
so. with their precious burden, to tht
secluded back pasture.
| Then Bill Blodgett, with all 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 bluei Others had
gone with them. Who had returned ?
Only himself and Dave. How they had
| cheered each other on the toilsome
marches!
'Now, Sammy" cried Blodgett, trem-
bling with awkward earnestness, I'll
show We how Dave and me used to"
A twig snapped. A stone fell fro1,
| the wall. The flock of frightened sheep
| went cantering the length of the PAS
ture. With ringing cry, Dave Simp.
| son leaped the wall like boy.
''Hold on, Billy! III drill ye."
"Dave!''
Attention: Present erns!"
Bill Biodgett obeyed the old words of
command instantly. and with true SOL
dierly gravity. Sammy's delighted
heart nearly burst its bounds, betraying
it's excitement in every tense muscle.
When the drill was ended, a nervous ST.
lence ensued till Simpson broke it:
''Say, Billy, let's wear the old uniform to
the fiag-raising Tomorrow"
Seems if 'twould be the proper thing
That was all. Not a smile. rot a
hand-shake, not a 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, huttered and flung its glory
to the welcoming breeze, while the chill
dren cheered with a will, and their
| elders softly, with something tugging
at their Enthusiastically j. Langley, in
Youths Companion.
Not for the Dead Alone.
Not for the dead alone this day We cherish
For all our brave deserve well
AS those who In the conflict fell