River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-05-25

| Capt. Baker flushed. WELL l don,
know" he said.
NOW you jest keep STILL" Mrs. Baker
said, as she went into the house, and
from force of habit the captain was
silent.
Wouldn't you really like to have it %
Dorothy questioned; II think it would
make Present Mrs. Baker feel real
pleasant"
The captain nodded thoughtfully
$50 it would Miss Dorothy" he adj.
mitted, so it would
Il was sorry you couldn't go to the
cemetery and see them decorate the
graves" Dorothy said, in abrupt
change of subject. Some folks think
it's very interesting"
"Why didn't you go?" the captain
asked, suddenly.
Dorothy flushed. Il thought
p'r'aps you might be lonesome.
The captain coughed spasmodically
''Bless my soul" he cried, huskily
'bless my soul" and then he got up and
limped to the end of the little porch
"Oh, captain" cried Dorothy, "see the
procession! They're marching right
down this way. Oh, do come and see!'
The captain came to Dorothy's side
to look at the advancing column. Dor
othy dashed into the house to call Mrs
Baker, and together the three stood
Dorothy waving her flowers. Mrs
Baker her apron and the captain his
stick as the soldier boys came down
the road. They marched on for little
distance, then suddenly lined up on
either side of the street with a salute.
"Oh!" cried Dorothy, "they're stop
ping right in front of your house, Capt
Baker. Isn't it lovely?"
Then down between the ranks of men
came the carriage bearing Dorothy
father and the chief man of the day,
and stopped directly in front of the
captains little house. Mrs. Baker hid
in the doorway, and the captain him
self would have run away, but for his
game leg and Dorothy holding him
fast. Then the great man from Wash
ington stood up in the carriage and
spoke about Soldier Bakers bravery in
/ the war, and how it would be more ma
terially rewarded. ("That means the
pension" Mrs. Baker whispered from
/ the doorway, and how he had lost a
! leg in the service of his country
! Dorothy was afraid that might hurt
1 the captains feelings) and the speech
ended with the words: Though to-
day be memorial of the dead. let il
also be time of honor for the living.
And then some boy in bright uniform
came TO take from the carriage a bou-
quet, and walking up the path, pre-.
sented it to Capt Baker with a military
salute, which the captain returned in
excellent fashion. "Oh," cried Dorothy,
when she recognized the bouquet she
had taken to the hall. I'm afraid they
didn't find the grave. but nobody
I heard the remark. for deafening shout
arose as the troops gave three times
three for brave Soldier Baker. There
upon the great man rose again, and it
was the captains turn TO prevent Dor
othy from running away, for they
cheered for little Miss Seaton with a
hearty will. Then the carriage moved
on and the soldiers formed into line and
marched away, saluting as they passed,
and leaving three flushed and smiling
people on the. captains little porch.
Vow call that real nice" Mrs.
Baker said. enthusiastically, and there
was suspicious moisture in her aard
eyes.
The captain drew great breath and
sank down into his piazza chair. They
didn't forget an old soldier he said,
holding his bouquet tightly.
Dorothy laughed happily. Il must
go home now, Capt. Baker" she said
Il haven't been 10 see YOU very much
] lately. but I'm coming oftener now.