Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1898-05-28
CAPTAIN OF
THE lNVINCIBLES.

lis tne star sIanSleu banner!
Oh, long may it wa-aven'
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 tho
hotel, along with the sunshine and the
sweet, warm air, came the undertone of
multitude, while the overtone was struck
by the military band at tho head of the
procession which was coming down Fifth
avenue.
"Well," said the Georgian, "if any one
had told me in 1861 that l 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 disorder of
the room. "All things come round to him
who will but wait"
81 don't know about that, Walt" said
the taller and handsomer man in grave,
musing tone. "Time hasn't given me
back my past yet.
His friend laid his hand on his shoulder
with a oaressing touch and looked re-
proachfully into the upturned face.
Don't, old man; for heavens sake,
don't! You'll be having one of your bad
times again. What do you want with any
more past than you've got? There isn't a
man in Georgia more honored than you,
and as to family-why, I've shared mine
with you. You're Uncle Jim to Nelly's
children just rs much as I'm Uncle Wal
ton. 1--we tried to make it up to you,
old fellow; you know l have" And the
strong voice broke a little.
The older man sprang to his feet and
caught his friend by the shoulders. "Gwin-
nett, I'm a selfish beast! Made it up to
me? Indeed you have, if any one could.
Only it comes over me at times with
great wave. l reckon it's the music, the
drums and the flags that have done it to-
day. It's hard, knowing fellow was
soldier and yet not knowing which side he
fought on!'
"Jim Smith, stop that rot! You know
what that Paris specialist told you Put
your hat OH 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 painting, rosy boy in a
white serge sailor suit raced in.
"Hello!' cried the intruder. "What are
you doing here?"
"We thought we were in our own
rooms, said Mr.. Gwinnett, with mock
humility, 'but perhaps we re mistaken" "
The boy-he was about 10 years old
had been looking about him in bewilder-
ment Then he burst into a merry laugh
~ beg your pardon. must have come up
one light too many. / raced ahead of
Aunt Grace, who waited for the elevator.
Oh, dear! There's the procession, and l
may miss father after all!'
"Come out on our balcony. I'll send %
lellboy to your mother and tell her where
you are " said Mr.. Gwinnett cordially.
Before he had finished speaking the boy
was outside waving his white cap and
shouting to some one below.
"There they are, the floor below, two
balconies along" Then, "Im all right,
grandma" he called out to one of the
group of three ladies who were gazing up
at him in astonishment. The gentlemen
lifted their hats, the ladies seemed to ac-
oept the situation, and they all settled
down to reviewing the parade.
Il say" said the boy, "I'm glad made
the mistake, for you can see better up
here-that is, with polite afterthought,
"if do not trouble you"
"Just you wait till the New Haven In
Vinoibles come along, then you'l sec
marching. III bet they beat the Seventh!
Fathers the captain of Company A. That's
the first company. I'm going to join when
grow up. There's been Trumbull in
the lnvincibl's for over 100 years My
grandfather was II captain, too and he got
killed in the war. All, there's u battle
flag. Hurrah, hurrah
Il love to SEQ the old, tattered flags, only
1t makes grandma cry. You see, it re-
minds her of grandpa. That's my grand
mother in the black dress, and that's Aunt