Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-05-29

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 rs the war closed, she went south
and inspected the records Of ell the mill
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 WINS when he went to the
front, would yet look upon the living
face Of that husband AND father.
II 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 q promising young fell
low had gone to the war and died for his
country.
At IL o'clock came the services at the
church, which almost everyone attend
ed. Lined on either side OF the walk
outside were the lianbury guards, the
local militia company, standing at
parade rest" while waiting for the ap-
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 mufiied drum and ST.
lent flea little group OF nging 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
armsl Present armsi" Aud through
the files OF untried soldiers passed
those of many battles.
II wonder who that old fellow In the
last row of veterans Is" unused John
Lorimer, who. with bis mother and
Bessie Armstrong. stood on the corner
and saw tue old soldiers pass by. ale
must be a stranger. Did you notice?
He seemed to be dnzed-a little on !
reckon"
The services at the church we're more
than usually impressive. The new min
lister, Mr.. Dare. was himself veteran,
and he talked to the soldiers rs only q
soldier can, then preached O sermon
that brought tears to the eyes Of nearly
everyone In the house.
The services over, the veterans, fol-
lowed by the guards and long process
sion OF citizens, marched to the ceme-
terry to perform the remaining ceremo-
mics OF the day. At the church door Mrs.
Lorimer left her son and Bessie to join
some other fiower-laden woman In o.
carryall. and the young people walked
toward the cemetery.
There were short services al the base
of the tall shaft inscribed: ITO Our
Unknown Dead"-then the graves were
decorated. the salutes fred. and the pro-
cession marched back to the village,
leaving behind only few persons, most
OF whom had friends buried there.
Among those who remained were John
Lorimer and Bessie Armstrong, who. In
a silence begotten by the solemnity Of
the occasion. walked hither and
thither among the shady paths Of the
little cemetery.
"What's that7'' asked John. suddenly,
rs they turned into path they had not
seen before.
Bessie gave q little scream. Almost
ut their very feet lay the old stranger
John had noticed In the morning, with
the blood srickling from wound on bis
gray head. He had. apparently, sat
down on a stump to rest, and. overcome
by the heat and his rather long march,
bad fallen backward striking bis bead
IN q large stone just beside the path
Eny.
John went TO him - soon a. be reeoF-
Dred from bis hrst shock. and raised the |
,id msn's h<nd. but beyond his faint
l,rsihin0, Ihssl w. lIii|s sign q W.. |