Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-05-26

soldiers. Suddenly we came to one
upon which lay Col. Carroll, my COM
rade whom had mourned as dead. Col.
PoindeXter recognized him 1t once,
spoke kindly to him and spent some
time in conversation. 1 could have
leaped out of my scabbard in my anx-
iety to rejoin my brave comrade of the
union cause, but / could not. 1t is our
misfortune that we may change places
only at the will of others. Suddenly a
pleasant thing happened. Col. Poin-
dexter unbuckled me from his belt, laid
me on the cot beside Col. Carroll, said
Take your weapon, colonel, your cour-
age entities you to wear it, and walked
swiftly away. Col. Carroll actually
kissed me in his delight, and 1 verify
believe his recovery was twice rapid
after that day. Soon after we were eX-
changed, and again led some of the boys
in blue as they fought for the good old
banner of the stars.
By and by we saw the end together.
At Appomattox the conquered banner
bent low to ours, and its fewer stars set
to rise no more forever. The gallant
ranks in gray melted away and scat
tered to distant homes, and the ranks in
blue marched proudly homeward, glad
that the good cause was won. Not long
after our return there was a wedding,
and Celestia Kirk became Mrs. Carroll.
Of course i was at the ceremony, and
the two brightest creatures there was
the pretty bride and myself. l was
treated with distinguished considera-
ton, and soon after installed in this
r,11 H. : l., L.
/ have occupied ever since except for
period [ shall soon tell you of. The
observed of all observers, people Like to
notice me, and the family tells my story
with a pride in my record as genuine as
my own. That house was a center of
patriotic influences, and 1 was usually
brought into all discussions concerning
the war, a flashing exclamation point
emphasizing gladly what Col. Carroll
said.
I saw my beloved master and his
sweet-faced wife grow gray, their hair
silvering until it resembled the bullion
decorations upon my scabbard and hilt.
And / saw their two lovely boys grow
up to stalwart young manhood, a proud
of me as was their parents. To those
boys l became also mentor, one they
trusted and loved. AT last one went to
the naval academy at Annapolis, and
one to the far west to seek his fortune,
their parents once more taking up the
burdens of the old life alone. / used to
hear their conversation at eventide and
hear the letters from the boys read. /
may be made of metal. but it warmed
even my stern heart to note their hap
piness, the love which mellowed and re-
fined with years. True as STEEL" is a
common phrase. Sensitive as steel
would be equally applicable. We swords
are brave, and the brave are ever tender
| hearted.
Suddenly the letters from the
younger son ceased coming, and they
heard later that he had sailed away
from San Francisco for some distant
land and that the vessel was never
heard from again. They heard of this
in May, and when Memorial day came
around wreath of roses and forget-me-
.. ncts was placed around the portrait of
the loved and lost, which fianked my
position on the mantelpiece. On that
Memorial day the other son came home
on furiough and announced his appoint
/ ment as an officer upon one of cur cruz
sers- My old master gave me to him,
and babe me serve the son as I had