davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

MES of the day. At the church door Mrs.
Lorimer left her son and Bessie 10 join
some other tiower-laden woman in a
carryall, and the young people walked
leisurely toward the cemetery
There were short services at the base
of the tall shaft inscribed. ITO Our
Unknown Dead"-then the graves were
decorated, the salutes fired, and the pro-
cession marched back to the village,
leaving behind only few persons, mos
of whom had friends buried there
Among those who remained were John
Lorimer and Bessie Armstrong, who, in
silence begotten by the solemn ty of
the occasion, walked hither and
thither among the shady paths of the
little cemetery.
Whats that?" asked John, suddenly,
as they turned into a path they had not
seen before.
Bessie gave a little scream. Almost
at their very feet lay the old stranger
John had noticed in the morning, with
the blood trickling from wound on his
gray head. He had, apparently, sat
down on a-stump to rest, and, overcome
by the heat and his rather long march,
had fallen backward striking his head
on large stone just beside the path
way.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

as can't be any solace to her at these
times, came away as soon as l could.
You see, this is the anniversary of my
fathers"
The girls face had become grave al
most as soon as John began speaking,
and it was in a different tone than she
had used at first that she asked:
'Your father was killed in the war,
wasn't he, John?"
1--WE don't know. I suppose he was,
but mother will not think 50. Ineyer
saw him, you know, for I wasn't born
until he had been gone six months.
Shall l tell you about him."
Yes" whispered Bessie, nesting
closer to him in the twilight. And John,
with an occasional little break in his
voice, told her the story of the father he
had never seen.
In the village of Banbury, at the open
ing of the war, lived prosperous young
merchant, John Lorimer. He had not
been married long when the call for
9O-day volunteers came, and for this and
other reasons he did not feel it incum-
bent upon him to respond to the call.
But when it was seen that the civil war
was assuming alarming proportions,
and Father Abraham" called for
100000 more" then John Lorimer saw
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

Thin are the blue-clad ranks to-day, once
half a million strong,
And slow and feeble are the feet that once
marched far and long;
Once more together they will march with
slow, uncertain tramp,
To see their comrades who have gone before
them into camp.
The tents are spread-the low, green tents.
whose curtain tightly close;
No reveille will waken those who sweetly
here rcpose;
No more their weary feet will toll o er high
ways rough and damp
For them the long, hard march is done, for
they've gone into camp.
Their comrades come with songs and flow
ers, the banner of their love
Floats proudly out upon the air, their low,
close tents above;
All, many a mile they followed it with
strong and steady tramp
Before they heard the order given-"Break
ranks-go into camp
Soon all the weary feet will halt, the last
march will be made,
For them, the low, green tents be spread
on hillside or on glade;
No more together they will march with
slow and broken tramp
To all the order will be given: Break ranks
go into camp"
-Ninette NJ Lowater, in Chicago Times
Herald
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
r. L. KETCHUM.
IN MEMOMAM.
Decoration Day as a Perpetual CeIe-
bratiOa of the Nation.


Memorial day is celebrated with none
the less fervor because the ranks of the
veterans are thinning from year to
year. There is enough reverence left
in the hearts of the children of the old
soldiers to commemorate the occasion
with all the tributes of floral offerings
which the heroes of the war deserved.
Let us hope that the time will never
come when this observance will be for
gotten, for Decoration day should take
it's place forever with the patriotic cell
ebration of the nation, to perpetuate
love of home and country.
If the spirits of the departed know
aught of what takes place in this mortal
life, they must rejoice that they are re-
membered, and that there is little sig
nificance in the oft-quOted saying:
Are we soon forgotten after we are
gomez"
1t is not glory alone that guards the
bivouac of the dead, but the living
hands of sisters, brothers, wives, chill
dren and old comrades, who strew flow
ers upon the silent tents, and make the
resting places of the loved ones blossom
like the rose.
Mankind has been called hard, self
ish, irresponsible, but occasions like
Memorial day prove that the poet is
right when he says that lie that is
half a truth is ever the blacklist of lies.
In the fierce struggle for existence men
often forget the feelings and the rights
of others, but underlying all their
harshness and self-seeking there is Il
better spirit, which can be Weakened in
to life by the remembrance of deeds of
self-sacrifice and courage. Even the
dullest clod of humanity is inspired
when he hears of the brave deeds which
Memorial day recalls, and life is better
worth the living when noble, patriotic
deeds form the theme of the orators
discourse and the poets verse. The
duh round of the familiar acts of every
Gay takes on new light when we are
urged not to forget the defenders of our
flag, who endured privations, disease
and death, that it might forever float
over US to remind us that heritage Of
liberty is the greatest gift that can be
given an intelligent and self-respecting
people. Therefore, let Memorial day
endure, with its lesson of patriotism,
gratitude, charity and love. - Boston
Budget.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
just the Man to Do 1t.

The man for the occasion is not al
ways so promptly at hand as he seems
to have been in the following story:
Not long ago, Sandow, the celebrated
strong man, was going from Kansas
City to Omaha. While in the train he
was accosted by tall gentleman with
long side-wkskcrs.
Excuse me, sir" he said, but are
not you Mr.. Sandow?"
YES" said the strong man.
"You can lift three tons in harness."
Eyes, sir, that is my record the
Hercules returned.
you can hold two hundredweight at
arms length?"
yes"
"And six hundred with two?"
"Yes."
"Then would you kindly raise this
window for me?"-T:t-Bits.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

stairs three steps at time, found her
lying in faint across the body of the
wondering, frightened sick man.
1t was all soon explained. John
Lorimer, ST., had been struck by a fly
ing bit of shell while in commCsd OF
his battery, and had been taken 20 the
hospital, where an incompetent sur
geon trepanned his injured skull. In
short time he had been discharged
from the hospital as cured-but he had
lost hismemory, had forgotten his name,
residence, everything, and was semi
imbecile besides. In this condition he
had passed % long years-years of
which he had no recollection whatever.
But the husband Of her youth was
again with her in the flesh, and Mrs.
Lorimer's steadfast faith was justified.
Just look at Mrs. LOrimer," said one
o. the guests at the Armstrong house
the day John and Bessie were married;
and she nodded towards that little
woman, who was leaning proudly on
the arm of her long-absent husband.
IF it weren't for her gray hairs, she'd
look like a bride, and a pretty young
enc at that"
p T, KETCIJITM
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

John went to him as soon as he recov-
cred from his first shock, and raised the
Old mans head, but, beyond his faint
breathing, there was little sign of life.
There's only one thing to do, john"
said Bessie, quietly. You bandage his
head with your handkerchief, prop him
against the stump, and I'll hol1 him IN
til you can borrow horse aud buggy
and bring DR.. Baker"
John hesitated moment, thea fol-
lowed his sweetheart's directions to the
letter. lie easily borrowed a horse and
buggy from one of those who still lin
gered at the cemetery, and in less than
half an hour he returned with the doe
tor.
HIN, Pretty bad case-old wound,
l fancy" said DR.. Baker. "Who is he? >"
Il don't know" said John. Il noticed
him in the procession this morning, but
he seems to be a stranger"
well, he must be taken care of, in
any case, and well taken care of. But
where can We"
just take him over to our house"
interrupted John, promptly, receiving,
for this suggestion, an approving smile
from Bessie
In very short time the injured man
was lying in Mrs. Lorimer's "spare
ROOM" and before the day was over all
the village knew that the widow Lori
mer" was nursing a sick veteran.
Just like her." said everybody.
Shed just work her finger to the bone
doing for anyone who wore the army
uniform"
Under DR.. Bakers somewhat print
tive treatment the patient did not
thrive, but, instead, grew worse, until,
az the end of a week, at Mrs. Lorimer's
suggestion, physician from the city
was sent for.
Ihat eminent practitioner arrived,
asked a few questions, examined the pa
TENTS injured head, and announced:
The man has been wounded in the
head, and his skull has been trepanned.
1t was bad job, for something was
left pressing upon the brain, and this
accident has dented the plate, also. l
think he'll stand an operation" the
physician went on musingly as he turned
to his case of surgical instruments.
In few hours, the city physician,
having removed the old plate and re-
placed it with new one, took the train
home, leaving behind him patient who
was sleeping as quietly as a babe. To
Mrs. Lorimer the doctor said, at part
ing:
'All your patient needs now is good
nursing, and l know, madam, he will
receive it at your hands. When he re-
gains consciousness, it will be, l think,
as perfectly sane man."
The second morning after the doctors
departure Mrs. Lorimer was leaning
over the sick man, when suddenly his
eyes opened.
I've been pretty sick, haven't 1,
nurse?" he asked with a faint smile
Eyes, indeed. But you mustn't talk
What shall l get you to eat?"
How long will it be, do you think
before l can go home?" persisted the
man.
"Not for quite awhile yet, I'm afraid.
Where do you live?"
AT Banbury, Ill. I've got wine
there and boy I've never seen-naIped
after me-John Lorimer, and want
to"
John in the sitting-room heard his
mothers scream, and, bounding up the
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

"What's that job worth?" they
asked the contractor.
"Well," he said, slowly, that depends
a good deal upon circumstances. If it
was ordered by an individual l should
think that 500 would be about the
limit, but if done for the city or county
| shouldn't think of charging bit less
than $3.50 with a clause in the contract
permitting me to make an additional
charge for extras. Chicago Post.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
Inclined to Be Extrnvaxunr.

I'm afraid" said the old gentle
man, shaking his head sadly, that
you have permitted Mabel to acquire
eXtravaganU tastes"
The fond mother was instantly on
the defensive.
81 don't see where you got that idea"
she retorted.
only last evening"" he answered.
"she intimatcd very plainly that she
wanted to marry nobleman. "-Chica-
90 Post.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

but one thing TO do. He sold out his
business, and, turning the proceeds of
the sale and all his other property over
to his wife, ne went to the front as sec
ond in command Of d battery fitted out
by Banbury and neigh 5oring villages
For year or more came, with more
or less regularity, John s CHEEKY, breezy
letters, in which the discomforts OF
camp-life We're depicted as a joke, and
the horrors Of war as a pastime. Then
came the account of battle, with the
bulletin of dead, wounded and missing
and among those whose names fol
lowed that awful word missing" was:
John Lorimer, captain Battery c, til
Illinois artillery"
Nainly the sOrrOwing wife he had left
at home wrote here and there to see if
she could get any trace of him. Years
passed-years during which the young
wife often told herself that the knowl-
edge of his death were better than that
terrible uncertainty as to his fate. AS
soon as the war closed, she went south
tary prisons, but gained no clew from
these. Yet she could never convince her
self that he was dead, and she lived in
the faith that she and her boy, the son
he had never seen, now nearly as old as
his father was when he went to the
front, would yet look upon the living
face of that husband ana father
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

Through the copses and dingles and dark
tangled ways,
Down in the Wilderness
Down in the Wilderness.
1t was over the river Rapidan,
And slowly southwark the march began,
Into the solitude,
Into the gloomy wood,
Ga, on. on, with a wide, strange sound,
Grinding and EARRING the sodden ground,
Down in the Wilderness
Down in the Wilderness.
All hushed were the bosket-futes of May,
All sweet-voiced things had flown away,
Leaving to Grant and Lee
A desert and destiny;
What time their batteries foundered and
pounded,
And the bombs through the timber bumped
and bounded
Down in the Wilderness
Down in the Wilderness.
Tossing and swaying, the hosts did so,
Blndly buffeting, blow on blow,
over the fen-land.
Over the gray sand;
And far and near, amid brush and bricr,
Cracked the crisp, keen musket fire.
Down in the Wilderness
Down in the Wilderness.
Hlther and thithcr, dashing in vain,
Columns soaked in a bullet rain,
Covered with battle CRIME,
Daytime and night time
Stumbled and fumbled on through the
maze,
And charged by the light of their powder
blaze,
Down in the Wilderness
Down in the Wilderness
Each man a hero cleaving his way
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
just Like the Earth.

Visitor-And SO you are studying
astronomy at school. Do you like it?
Little Girl-Oh, it's awfully interest
ing. The weather on the moon is just
like it is here.
Visitor Observation-Disclosures your
astronomy say that?
Little Girl-Why, yes. 1t says if
there were people on the moon they'd
roast one day and freeze the neXt.-N.
Y. Weekly.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
Childish.

1t was a peculiar speech made by the
lifelong friend of the bridegroom at q
wedding breakfast recently. He said:
MAY the lives OF the happy couple
be one long round of unalloyed bliss,
or, if they are to have any cares at all.
let them only be little ones!"-N. Y.
World
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

did you take my message to the Gil
dingby?" asked the young man with the
obtrusive voice.
Yes. told them that you have cold
and can't sing, but that you were COM
ing anyway"
How did they take the news?"
Il don't know. Nobody made any re-
ply except Miss Gildlngby. She said
she was ever so glad. "-Washington
Star.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
Something He Had Noticed.

Twynn-Did you ever notice that as
a rule people who have been prevented
from committing suicide never try it
again?
Triplet-No, but I have observed thai
people who succeed IN committing sui
eide never do it again.-Harlem Life.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

Harry dear, l wish you wouldn't
chew gum SO much. Your father says
gum isn't clean, and the habit is GER
tainly an annoying one"
why, mamma, I've just got to chew
something! He always keeps his fine
cut where 1 can't get at it."-Chicago
Tribune.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
SnYing One for Her.

MY task in life" said the pastor,
complacently, Consists in saving young
men"
"Ah!" replied the maiden with a soul
full longing, save a nice-looking one
for me."-Dublin World
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

"Why have you quit going TO see
Miss Flippin on Thursday nights? I
see that you go there Friday nights
now"
Thursday night is onion night at the
Flippins' "-Cleveland Leader.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

THAT woman over there looks as if
she were painted"
Sir, that is my wife"
81 had not finished my sentence.
She looks as if she were painted by
Raphael and had just stepped out of the
frame. "-Tit-Bits.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
Tickle Man,

George, before we were married you
were pleased if l sat in your lap"
Eyes, dearest"
But, now, if do, you say: Gracious,
Julia-you're forever roosting on my
lame knee '-Chicago Record.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

Ethel-You say Algy has been heart
Iessly deceived by young woman. Did
she lead him on to think that she loved
him?
May-Oh, no; she led him on to be-
Lieve that she didn't care rap for him,
and then when he carelessly proposed,
accepted him on the spot.-N. Y. Truth.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

How" asked the jackdaw, did you
ever gain a reputation for WISDOM"
"Hoot." answered the owl.
Which tells the whole story.-Chica-
GO Tribune.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
Behind Her Back.

He-Ah, Miss Roscoe's face is surely
her fortune.
She-Yes, so it is. But it isn't like
most fortunes you hear about.
He-How's that?
Shelf is wiped out every night and
rebuilt in the morring.-Cleveland
Leader.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

"Ah, capital" the d. d. said,
Then seized his pocket chronicler;
"a good text for a sermon? Yes.
I'll make a minute OF it, sir"
Hereat the layman sprung a thought
That did his caution overpower
AS he replied: "A minute, Ell?
III bet my hat you'll make an hour"
boston Courier
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

Doctor Gust arrived at the scene OF
the accident)-What on earth are you
holding his nose for?
Pat Olneeling beside the victim) $50
his breath won't leave his body, of
cOurse-N. Y. journal
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

He-Do you think your judgment is
as good as mine?
She-Oh, no, dear. Our choice of life
partners proves that it isn't.-N. Y.
journal.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
No Flies on Him.

X-You, member of the Humane So
ciety, dock your horses tails! Is it pos
sible?
Z-Why, of course. l want to protect
the hies.-LIllustre de Poche.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
A Tip.

He-Do you think your father would
offer ne personal violence if l were to
ask him for you?
She-No; but think he will if you
don't pretty soon.-Cieveland Leader.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
Final Migration.

Some birds of a feather were flocking to-
gether,
When a man with gun knocked them
fiat;
And now on the day of good matinee
You may see them in Susie's new hat.
brooklyn Life.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

Miss Sere-WelI, if you must have the
plain truth, you're too young and pref.
t. to be my maid.
Applicant-But, MAIN selle, you can
say that l nursed you during your
Childhood.-N. Y. journal.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
All He Ever Made,

He-You say man never made any
thing by growing?
She-Nothing but p fool Of himself.
-.Yonkers Statesman.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27
Defending His Monopoly.

freddie is jealous of his preroga-
tives, amt he?"
What makes you say so?"
"He got angry the other night and
told me not to be fool. N. Y. Sun.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

"Who lost dime?" yelled a newSboy.
81 did replied four or five.
"Well, didn't find one. louisville
ournaL
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

rs that good hen, Uncle Josh"
"a good hen?" said Uncle Josh;
why, that ar hen lays eggs as big as
hailstun s."-Detroit Free Press.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

1t was the day when all America,
leaving all other matters aside, unites
in doing honor to the heroes who died
that the nation might live. The morn
ing had broken bright and clear and the
spring sun shone benignantly upon the
completing preparations for the Me
mortal day ceremonies in Banbury,
whence many promising young fell
low had gone to the war and died for his
country.
At II o'clock came the services at the
church, which almost everyone attend
ed Lined on either side of the walk
outside were the Banbury guards, the
local militia company, standing at
parade rest" while waiting for the APP
pearance of the grand army post.
Presently the veterans appeared,
marching up the street with somewhat
uncertain stcp-for many of them were
cripples-behind mutfied drum and 81
lent flea little group of aging men,
the remnant of scores of strong, hope
full young fellows who had gone forth
from Banbury to fight for the cause
they loved.
As they approached, the young cap
tain of the guards gave two or three
quiet commands: Attention! Carry
arms! Present arms!" And through
the files of untried soldiers passed
those of many battles.
81 wonder who that old fellow in the
last row of veterans is" unused John
Lorimer, who, with his mother and
Bessie Armstrong, stood on the corner
and saw the old soldiers pass by. "He
must be a stranger. Did you notice?
He seemed to be dazed-a little off l
reckon"
The services at the church were more
than usually impressive. The new min
lister. Mr.. Dare, was himself a veteran,
and he talked to the soldiers as only n
soldier can, then preached a sermon
that brought tears to the eyes Of nearly
everyone in the house.
The services over, the veterans, fol-
lowed by the guards and Il long process
sic>l of citizens, marched to the Gene
terry to perform the remaining ceremo-
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

heSltatln8ly on
TIRE piazza, then, with a deep sigh, he
walked down the gravel path, out of the
gate and up the lane towards the big
white house of the Armstrong family.
He walked slowly, with eyes bent on
the ground as one having trouble on
his mind, until, glancing up, he caught
the CLEAN of white dress at the gate
of the Armstrong home-then the lag
ging steps grew brisk, and the melan-
choly face was frightened by smile of
pleasant anticipation.
1t was a lovely evening in the latter
part Of May, and all nature seemed to
be rejoicing in the fullness of the ripe
sDTingttme 1t seemed a time for glad
ness and naught else, at least to those
to whom sorrow was unknown. But in
the cottage John Lorimer had Just left
was a little gray-haired woman who,
sitting in an armchair with an old,
faded photograph in her thin, shaking
hands, was sobbing as though her heart
would break. The picture was that of
young, handsome man in the uniform
OF a lieutenant of artillery, and was
aadiy blurred with the unayailing tears
that had fallen upon it.
Tie twilight deepened, and darkness
came, and with it the songs of the frog
and the cricket and the whip-poor-will,
and all the other SQUADS that tend to
make night in the c,Tntry a very sym
phony in itself-but the woman paid
no heed. pausing only in her weeping
now and then to kiss passionately the
faded, tawdry photograph.
Young Lorimer's smile vanished al
most as quickly as it came, for he could
not more than momentarily forget the
poor little heart-broken mother he had
left weeping in her corner of the big
sitting-room, although he knew he
could do nothing to soothe her, and that
she preferred to be left alone at this
time; so his face was unusually solemn
when he greeted his sweetheart, Bessie
Armstrong, who was waiting for him
at the gate.
"What makes You look so solemn to-
night. big boy" asked the girl, lightly.
ooh. just what happens every year at
this time-my mother is having her
usual cry over my fathers picture, and,
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-27

H! this is my song to
the Gray and the
Blue,
Who once were so
many and now are
so few,
The young ones,
the bold ones.
The grim ones,
the old ones,
The fighters W h o
fought out t h o s e
Na....s1.1- Ia,E