Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-05-27

WAuWoOu roses. ookncn0W t11oo caro-
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 ss for the lau-
rels Of praise? What arc they to the
laurels which rubbed their pink cheeks
lovingly against me in the shaded ra-
vine, under the canopy OF vines? But
me with music and speeches. garland
me with flowers on Memorial days, lsua
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 ! and my kind played star
parts and made the welkin ring. Near
me stands the soldiers monument, and
nearer still the tall stan from which
floats the glorious star spangled banner
for which fought and fell.
II saw my young folks (have not
the right to call them mine? p wed and
made one. They paused to greet me
on their way to the church near by, and
| saw through the open door the dear
little bride with canopies of fags and
flowers above her shapely head, and
sunbeams colored gayly by stained
glass windows crossing her golden hair
in tinted benediction. She stopped to
pat me lovingly as she leaned on her
noble husbands arm returning home
ward, and l verify believe they look
upon me as sort of cast-iron shrine,
for they often come to see me and ex-
change condolences, talking to me az
to friend of the family whom they con-
slider quite one of themselves.
zone day, about year after the wed
ding, Inez brought 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 frecrackers on the Fourth Of July
and set them of. 1t took me several
days to overlook that prank, for the
crackers were imported Cinnamon, and
did not like their weak, suffering
travesty of real explosions. On the
whole. however, we get along very well.
He 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 barks only at
enemies of my country and flag.
Near by, visible across corner Of
the park lawn, is their home. On tho
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 well as lasting
remembrance, and draped above IL .
silken nag, the beautiful flag of our
country, its stars bright its bars typic-
al of the red blood shed for It's sake.
Very lovingly it droops over the per-
traits, and it's folds seem to cling -
earessingly about the man In gray ~
about the man in blue. In that hSsne
there is love and respect for the soldiers
Of north and south. Peace, blessed
peace, reigns supreme. #
This is the eve of Memorial day.
am garlanded with flowers and have
been honored as q brave veteran SHOULD
be by those he served and saved. The sun
issettng, and not far away. on the beach,
/ see the family group love; the hus-
band, Inez, the two playful children,
and in addition o sweet-faced babe In
arms. The sea is like mirror of mel
ten gold, but near the shore Its surface
dimples into smiles and it lispS loving
nothings to the Listening sands. Out
lined against the glorified sky. with its
wondrous panorama of crimson and
gold, pearl and amber, heecy 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 tombstones
CLEAN whitley, / SEQ the two headstones
which point like fnger-posts toward
heaven, punctuaung the beauty of love
and friendship. 1t is picture of quiet
peace, the calm after the storm, tho
tranquil sequel to the tempest and tur-
mon of war. Noting the hesdstones in
the confederate cemetery which adj
joins the other I 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!"
l. EDGAR JONES.