The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1898-05-26


slow. Those dark spots upon my
polished blade are specters OF blood,
shades of the precious drops which, in
more stirring days, were the red seals
of courage, signs manual of heroes,
testifying TO future generations their
knowledge OF heroic deeds. In the days
OF the Crusades, when mailed knights
went forth TO battle for the cross, the
sword handle was held upright and by
that they swore TO heroic vows. There
fore when they ended with the words
said by the sword II meant the un-
vanished truth. My handle, too, is
cross. said by the sword" now as
then means that | testify truly. Mem
bers of the sword family are long lived,
maintaining their keenness and elias
ticity 10 old age. There are hundreds Of
years of service In me yet, and | may
flash in the forefront OF many gallant
charge when the sous and daughters of
this generation have turned to dust.
flashed bravely I'm Uehalf of the old flag in
the civil war. How much worthier was
the oft-quoted sword of Bunker Hill
than the sword of Gettysburg and APP
pomattox2
l was presented TO Capt. Carroll,
young volunteer, in 1861. a young lady
with eyes brighter than my flashing
blade or the jewels upon my hilt made
the presentation In behalf of the ladies'
and | saw at once by the way in which
the captain regarded her that he
thought more OF the gift because CT the
giyer. She was petire, mere morsel
of humanity, but as dainty morsel as
ever made a mark fOr Cupid's busy
bow. Small in quantity, first-class in
quality, with hear; of the largest
size in body OF the smallest, her lumin-
Gus soul flashed in majestic courage
through loye-lit eyes, and she was every
inch model OF the devoted patriot
women of 1891 and 1865.
on we went TO the war. II was not
junket nor yet pleasure excursion.
In few months the gallant ranks were
thinned, empty sleeves appeared in
many parts Of the line, boyish faces be-
came bronzed, and boyish spirits rip
ened in the su.try atmosphere of con-
flict into the strong, stern, sturdy
hearts of veterans tried and true.
flashed ever well toward the front, and
many time that fash leaping out in
the red flame of conflict became tine
beacon which led our boys TO victory.
In year l led a regiment and glorled
in the achievements OF him whose
chosen cOmrade ] was. On went the
union soldiers, their flag sometimes
waving proudly in victory, sometimes
truiling in temporary defeat, but ever
reappearing through the carnage 20
lead the hosts OF patriots toward the
inevitable end.
Al the battle OF Winchester my mas
ter and /, fighting in the thickest of the
fray, engaged a handsome confederate
officer and were overmatched. Down
fell Col. Carroll, his glazing eyes re-
garding me longipgly as my captor bore
me away. Much against my will served
him for awhile, and though swords re-
gard it their duty TO serve their owners
regardless Of the cause they espouse. il
went against the grain TO strike at those
who wore the union blue. But my new
master was every inch soldier and
manly fellow. True hearts beat as
nobly under confederate gray as under
union blue. Thank God that the noblest
of them all beat together in loyalty
now! The fraternity Of truly noble