The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1899-05-27
She gatbered another great bunch of


window this Decoration day in most
respondent mood. 1t was quite true.
as Mrs. Baker said, that if he had had
more push and assurance he might long
since have obtained his well-dcserved
pension, and now made much more i'm
preston on the army men OF this town;
but the captain was always II retiring
man. and sickness and age had not
made him more self-confdent. What
with his physical pain from his rheu-
| matism and his hearts sorrow at his
lack of ability, he was beginning to feel
like very old soldier now, and he an
| swered with unusual impatience TO Mrs.
| Bakers twentieth twitting remark: y
wish 10 gracious l was dead with the
rest of the soldiers"
Then he went out on the porch, and
there was Dorothy coming across the
road with her beautiful bunch of flow
ers. She came straight for his gate and
up his garden path, and the face OF the
old captain frightened like the face OF
one thankful for n long and happy life.
| How do you do, Capt. Baker" Doro-
thy's sweet voice said. IL thought I'd
come over and joyful you up. cause it's
| Decoration day" and the little lady held
out her hand as a sign of forgetfulness
and reconciliation.
The captain shook it warmly. ITS
real good of you to remember an old sol
der. Miss Dorothy" he said, heartily.
That's more'n anybody else does,
+ Mrs. Baker murmured sourly from the
door.
Dorothy turned toward her with Il.
bright smile. She had learned to ap-A
precatc the present Mrs. Bakers eN-
cellent qualities despite her fondness
for talking. ITS IA very pleasant day,
isn't ?'' she questioned, cheerfnlly.
Mrs. Bakernodded and'smiled family.
''There'S man that lives in Wash
ington coming to our house tonight,
Present Mrs. Baken. and I'm going to
talk to him about the captains money
pension"
Il think this gentleman will see about
il, really do" Dorothy added in eager
interest. "and papa thanks you ought 20
have it. Capt. Baker"
Capt. Baker flushed. well, | don't
know he said.
Wouldn't you really like to have it?'
Dorothy questioned; Il think it would
make Present Mrs. Baker feel real
pleasant"
The captain nodded thoughtfully,
so it would Miss Dorothy" he ad,
mitted. 80 it would"
Il was sorry you couldn't go 10 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.
"Blcss my SOUL" he cried, husl<ily,
"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
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
,i,,f III in Of n nj
Baker. Isn't it lovely?"
Then down between the ranks of men
came the carriage bearing Dorothys
father and the chief man of the day,
and stopped directly in front of the
captains little house. Mrs. Baker hiG
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. c"That means the
pension Mrs. Baker whispered from
the doorway, and how he had lost q
leg in the service of his country
the captains feelings) and the speech
ended with the words: Though to-
day be IA memorial of the dead, let it
also be a dime of honor for the living"
And then some boy in bright uniform
came TO take from the carriage bop-
quet, and walking up the path, pre-
scented il to Capt. Baker with 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
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 Scaton 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.
The captain drew great breath and
sank down into his piazza chair. They
n -. L.. Ill