Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-06-30

He threw the redns Ower HE horses
head and let him Craze at will. Then
be wandered on into the little plot.
He had scarce reached the spot
when, approaching from another di.
rection, came a little procession Of
five children, laden with flowers.
A boy led the way, beating now and
then on battered drum.
The man slipped behind tree.
The little procession passed through
the broken gate and, marching sol.
EMMY onward, paused beside neg
lected grave.
I'VE must plant the flag now, Ellie"
said the largest boy.
She handed it to him.
The man leaned forward. The flag
was curious affair.
The bright red wooden stripes puck
ering and alternating with the white
cotton ones, the field of blue calico,
with it's thirteen stars.
The boy took it gravely and stuck
1T firmly into the soft ground at the
head of the grave.
Eve must sing Bert announced.
Five young voices in Ave different
keys struggled bravely through
Marching Through Georgia"
The man drew nearer.
"Now we must pray" said Fine,
glancng down at the paper in her
hands. The five children knelt about
THE grave. The boys removed their
caps.
Our Father" began Ellie in y
tremulous voice. The others joined
her. "Now | hay me-" began Betty
when they had finished.
The rest listened in silence, but
Joined in amen
The eyes of the looker-on filled with
tears.
"Now we must put on the flowers"
Quickly but tenderly the struggling,
grassgrown grave was covered with
flowers. They were of all colors.
"Now III read you the declaration
Of Independence" said Bert, and slow
ly the familiar words fell from HE
boyish hips.
Betty could not understand 1T. Her
rowing eye caught sight of the man,
who was close beside them now. She
gave little jump.
II will tell you the story OF Com
Eide Jim, here" he began abruptly,
but with a pleasant smile. He stood
at the head of the grave, bare-headed,
with the sun shining on his gray hair.
They drew about him. Then he
told them Of Jim's courage in war,
and what the war was about, and
how it should teach them to be true
and brave, and the children listened
with scarce a breath for fear Of los
ing single word.
"And | had come here today to do
honor to my fallen comrade,' he end
ed. But find that you have dome II
alNady-more than | could do" He
glanced at the rough flag. There
were tears in his eyes.
The silk one in his hand fell to the
ground.
Bobby picked it up and would have
planted il ON the grave.
mo" said the man; keep 1t. Yours
alone shall do honor today"
And after few more words the lit
tie procession marched away, while
the Generalfor it was he, the great
speaker, stolen away from his admir-
ing attendants-stood watching them,
with head uncovered, until they had
vanished from sight.
Then, with farewell glance at the
hower-strewn grave, with its homely
flag uttering in the soft May breeze,
he rode rapidly away.
"And it was you children!" Ellie's
mother said next day.
"The General told MS all about 1t In
his speech last night, and he said that
we must emulate your example"
She looked very proud and happy az
she kissed the children.
"We'll do 1T every year" said Bert,
looking at the silk flag banging on the
wall.
"Of course we will" said the others.
Chicago lnter-Ocean.