The Press., 1898-05-26
CAPTAIN OF
 THE INVINCIBLES.
." "-""- "~-..-
" 'Tis the star spangled bannerl Oh lnnnrr mar if rrnnrrnsIi

@OAAS Sang the shorter of the two men to the music In the distance, and he threw his cigar end into the grate
 In through the open windows of the hotel, along with the sunshine and the sweet, warm air, came the undertone of a multitude, while the overtone was struck by the military band at the head of the procession which was coming down Fifth avenue.
 Well, said the Georgian, eff any one had told me in 1861 that should be ever sitting here in New York listening to that tune and content, mind you, I'd have knocked him down." And he gave jolly laugh and stretched himself as he began to look for his hat through the .order of the room. "AIl things come round to him who will but wait
 r II don't know about that, Walt, said the taller and handsomer man in a grave, musing tone. 'tTime hasn't given me back my past yet.
 His friend laid his hand on his shoulder with a caressing touch and looked re- proachfully into the upturned face
 Don't, old man; for heavens sake, don'tl You'll be having one of your bad times again. What do you want with any more past than you ve gotP There isn't a
 
 and as to family-why, I've shared mine with you. You're Uncle Jim to Nelly s children just as much as I'm Uncle Wal ton. live tried to make it up to you, old fellow; you know have" And the strong voice broke a little.
 The older man sprang to his feet and caught his friend by the shoulders. "Gwin- nett, Pm a selfish beastl Made it up to meP Indeed you have, if any one could. Only 1t comes over me at times with a great wave. I reckon it's the music, the drums and the flags that have done it to- day. It's hard, knowing fellow was a soldier and yet not knowing which side he fought on!"
 "sJim Smith, stop that rotl You know what that Paris specialist told you Put your hat on and come out on the balcony They re almost here.
 The two men picked up their hats and were about to step upon the little balcony before their windows when the door was burst open and a panting, rosy boy in a white serge sailor suit raced in.
 "Hellol" cried the intruder. "What are you doing hereP''
 "We thought we were in our own rooms, said MT. Gwinnett, with mock humility, but perhaps we're mistaken" ,"
 
 had been looking about him in bewilder- ment. Then he burst into merry laugh II beg your pardon. must have come up one flight too many. I raced ahead of Aunt Grace, who waited for the elevator Oh, dearl Ther"'s the procession, and I may miss father after alli''
 ssCone out on our balcony. I'll send a bellboy to your mother and tell her where you are" said MT. Gwinnett cordially. Refore he had finished speaking the boy
 outside waving his white cap and
 ting to some one below.
 There they are, the floor below, two
 les aiong. ''s Then, 'sT'm all right,
 he called out to one of the
 AAe ladies who were gazing up
 Anishment. The gentlemen
 4za6s, blse ladies seemed to ac-
 situation, and they all settled
 Bo reviewing the parade.
 Say, said the boy, "I'm glad made
 mistake, for you can see better up
 e-that is, with polite afterthouQht I do not trouble you.'
 "Just you wait till the New Haven h. vincibles come along, then you'll see marching. I'll bet they beat the Seventh l Father's the captain of Company A. That's the first company. I'm going to join when grow up. There's been a Trumbull in the Invincibles for over 100 years. My grandfather was a captain, too, and he got killed in the war. Ah. there's battle flag. Hurrah, hurrahl
 II love to see the old, tattered flags, only it makes grandma cry. You see it re- minds her of grandpa. That's my grand mother in the black dress, and that's Aunt Grace in the bonnet with the poppies. We've just been down to Tiffany's to get my dog collar. It wouldn't lock. And that's mother with the blue flowers in her belt. They re for Yale, you know"
 The splendid Seventh had just swung Into Madison square past the reviewing stand to the sound of a mighty cheer, which had enoompassed them down Fifth avenue.
 Behind them came the guests of the day, the New Haven InvincibIes, military organization almost as old as the, days of John Davenport. The blue and buff of colonial times, the bearskin shakos, the pure white faoings of the elaborate uni forms, all made them the mark for the eyes of the multitude. Their alignment was perfect.
 'There's father" said the lad, tat the head of that company. See? The tall man with the plain face. Oh, tell you he's a dandy!''
 He had sunk back in his chair, his fair face all aglow, and he looked up at the older man with a friendly confidence charming to see. "I'm sure of it., i" said MT. Smith heartily. Suppose you tell me your name now? Mine is James Smith. "Francis Trumbull,'' said the boy proudly. I'm the third of that name. Have you got little boyP''
 There was a perceptible pause, which made the boy curious, before the man said slowly:
 "No."
 "That's pity, said Francis compass sionately. "It's great thing for man to have little boy. l don't know what they'd do without me.''
 He was so sure of his own importance, so serene in it, that it touched the lonely man beside him. Had he ever been of so much account?
 "Have you got little girlP" went on the boy.
 "I have no one in the whole world be- longing to me. That gentleman, MT. Gwinnett, is my friend, and we old bache- lors live together in Atlanta
 There was pause of a full minute be- fore the next shot fell.