Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-05-25

fully groomed roses in the park have
never seemed as free and fragrant.
They are too prim and precise, like spin
sters on parade. And as for the Iau-
rels of praise? What are they to the
laurels which rubbed their pink cheeks
lovingly against me in the shaded ra-
vine, under the canopy of vines? But
they make much of ME here, installed
me with music and speeches, garland
me with flowers on Memorial days, Iaud
me to the skies. Lovers lean against me
IN the summer evenings, and whisper
their dearest condolences, relying upon
my discretion, and old soldiers pat me
lovingly, and they tell of stirring scenes
III which l and my kind played star
parts and made the welkin ring. Near
Inc stands the soldiers monument, and
nearer still the tall staff from which
floats the glorious star spangled banner
for which L fought and fell.
Il saw my young folks (have not l
the right TO call them mine?) wed and
made one. They paused to greet me
on their way to the church near by, and
l saw through the open door the dear
little bride with canopies Of flags and
flowers above her shapely head, and
sunbeams colored gayly by stained
glass windows crossing her golden hair
in tinted benedtction. She stopped to
pat me lovingly as she leaned on her
noble husbands arm returning home
ward, and I verify believe they look
upon Inc as Il sort of cast-iron shrine,
for they often come to see me and ex-
change condolences, talking to me as
to friend of the family whom they con-
slider quite one of themselves.
"One day, about a year after the we'd
ding, Inez brought a pudgy, small,
rather shapeless copy of herself to see
me, introduced us and bespoke lasting
vows of fidelity between the young
patriot and myself. He is about six
years old now, comes to see ME, hand in
hand with smaller sister, and they
both sit in my lap and take liberties
with me unrebuked. He once filled me
with 1irecrackers on the Fourth of July
and set them off. It took me several
days to overlook that prank, for the
crackers were imported Cinnamon, and
J. did not like their weak, sputtcring
travesty of real explosions. On the
whole, however, we get along very well.
tie cannot pull my hair, as he does his
fathers, nor poke his prying young fin
gers into my eyes. AS to my mouth,
that is toothless, and banks only at
enemies OF my country and flag.
Near by, visible across corner of
the park lawn, is their home. On the
wall is a framed picture, the portrait
of the two dead soldiers, one in blue
and one in gray. Over it are crossed
peacefully the swords they wore, in
token of lasting peace as we'll as lasting
remembrance, and draped above it a
sil1zen flag, the beautiful flag of our
country, its stars bright, it's bars typic-
al of the red blood shed for it's sake.
Very lovingly it droops over the por-
traits, and it's folds seem 10 cling as
.caressingly about the man in gray as
about the man in blue. In that home
there is love and respect for the soldiers
of north and south. Peace, blessed
peace, reigns supreme.
''This is the eve of Memorial day. l
am garlanded with flowers and have
been honored as brave veteran should
beby those he served and saved The sun
issetting, and not far away, on the beach.
l see the family group love; the hus-
band, Inez, the two playful children,
and in addition u sweet-faced babe in
arms. The sea is like mirror of mol
ten gold, but near the shore it's surface
dimples into smiles and it lisps loving
nothings to the listening sands. Out
lined against the glorifed sky, with it's
wondrous panorama of crimson and
gold, pearl and amber, feecy outlines
made of angel plumage, tall pinnacles
tipped with flame, floats proudly the
flag we love. And far away on a dis
tant hill, where rows of tom stones
CLEAN whitley, see the two headstones
which point like fnger-posts toward
heaven, punctuating the beauty of love
and friendship. 1t is picture of quiet
peace, the calm after the storm, the
tranquil sequel to the tempest and tur-
MOL OF war. Noting the headstones in
the confederate cemetery which ad-
joins the other see that they also
are covered with flowers, placed there
by those who decorated the grassy
touches of the sleeping boys in blue.
God rest their souls! Lord keep their
memories green!"
I. EDGAR JONES.