The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-05-25

soldiers. Suddenly we came to one
upon which lay Col. Carroll, my com
rade whom had mourned as dead. Col.
PoindeXter recognized him at once,
spoke kindly to him and spent some
time in conversation. l could have
leaped out of my scabbard in my anX-
iety to rejoin my brave comrade of the
union cause, but l could not. 1t is our
misfortune that we may change places
only at the will of others. Suddenly
pleasant thing happened. Col. Poin-
dexter unbucked me from his belt, laid
me on the cot beside Col. Carroll, said
Take your weapon, colonel, your cour-
age entities you to wear il" and walked
swiftly away. Col. Carroll actually
kissed me in his delight, and l verify
believe his recovery was twice as rapid
after than 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.
\: hppomattoX 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 | 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
place Of honorin the new home, a throne
| have occupied ever since except for a
period | shall soon tell you of. The
observed of all observers, people like tC
notice me, and the family tells my story
with pride in my record as genuine as
my own. That house was center OF
| patriotic influences, and was usually
brought into all discussions concerning
the war; flashing exclamation point
emphasizing gladly what Col. Carroll
said.
| saw my beloved master and his
sweet-faced wife grow gray, their hail
silvering until it resembled the bullioI
decorations upon my scabbard and hilt
And | saw their two lovely boys grow
up to stalwart young manhood, as PROUD
of me as was their parents. To those
boys | became also a mertor, one they
trusted and loved. At la one went tt
the naval academy at Annapolis, anC
one to the far west to seek his fortune
their parents once more taking up tht
burdens of the old life alone. used t
hear their conversation at eventide an(
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
common phrase. Sensitive as stee
would be equally applicable. We sword
are brave, and the brave are ever tende
hearted.
Suddenly the letters from tn
younger son ceased coming, and the.
heard later that he had sailed ava,
from San Francisco for some dstan
land and that the vessel was neve
heard from again. They heard of thi
in May, and when Memorial day cam
around wreath of roses and forget-me
nots was placed around the portrait o
the loved and lost, which flanked m
position on the mantelpiece, On tha
Memorial day the other son came hom
on furlough and announced his appoint
ment as an officer upon one of our cru
sers. My old master gave me to hin
and bade me serve the son as l ha