The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-07-02

sEhe officer who had given the order
saw him coming. His anger rose at
the mans dilatory movements.
Here, You, he cried, across the camp
ground, double quick, there
The soldier looked up, saluted and
plodded along.
When he. neaEed the officer the latter
was in a white heat
What do you mean by not obeying
orders?' he reared
What orders, STRIP.
Didn't you hear the order to double
quick?"
I heard you say double quick
Well, why in blue b!azes didn'. you
double auick?"
The soldier put his heels together
and saluted. Then he drawled:
Because, sir, I didn't hear. the COM
mand march,
And the officer hadn't another word to
say.-Cleveland Plain Dealer.
[For the Record-Union.l
The Faded Flag.
Dear little flag, sweet relic of my youth!
HOW stlrs my heart Wiener l gaze on
And how triumphant DER times work of
ruth,
My soul grows young with youthful
For THOU art hallowed by the days re-
called,
When enud thou vast proudest of the ban
And proudest he, who hind thy stars in
Knew joys that-alas!-lik thee, were
furled.
Dim, faded flag! Time hath been hard on
Thy crimson stripes have lost their
olden hue;
Thy stars have waned, till one can scarce
ly see
Where they reposed upon their field of
blue.
Thy edge is frayed, and dust it's stain has
S. In lines that tell abuses long regime;
And yet, Q Flag! l never shall forget
HOW 1alr thou vast to my infantile
Aye, bright art still. AS on thy stripes
They glow once more with color bright
ana warm;
Thy stars shine forth. as in the olden
days,
Thy blue leaps victor Ger times dusty
storm.
And gga i5iI more N, see thee waving free,
Where grim, spool cannon, manned so
vallantly,
Did fright tin soldiers and make child
lsh sport!
That fortress? Gone! Perchance the
stones that made
It's frowning nights have long been
ground to dust;
For many years have T seen bloom and
fade
Since those fierce guns shot forth their
final gust.
Naught, doth remain of all save thou
And thou art faded. and l., too. grown
Dear little Flag! cannot stay sigh.
Youths simple dreams be more than
fame and gold.
How well recalrd, those sweetly simple
The nght-winged hours, filled with
their sunny thought;
no mays
OF wondrous life. beyond the path that
sought
The great, cool spring, that flowed eter-
nally,
And without. price. bestowed it's price
less ware;
That turned the wheel I fashioned with
And .watered earth, and happy made the
air.
o, spring eternal, that mid rushes green,
Did flow so kindly to the rustic need
10 painting birds and to the thirsty kline.
10 smiling flowers and to the marshy
weed
What tribute fine can / inscribe to thee
That didst delight me in my boyhood's
Naught can 1 say-moved by my memory,
My heart is mute, and misty is my gaze!
But thou vast parcel of nv Youthful
dreams,
Whence aness sprung Indictment to my boyish
Couched by thy side, hid from the suns
Kings, gardens, glowed do please mel
In thy soft purling did my ears detect
The martial music of an armored age;
And s On thy crystal surface, shadow
Rode plumed knight, crowned king and
gilded page!
What dreams has youth What idle fan
cieS serve
: To pass away the time ere strength
To bear the burdens that tax brain and
nerve
And press, youths lightness slowly,
What sweet, vain things-so sweet be-
cause so vain
Beguile youths mind while time makes
Of toll and care, of sorrow and of pain |
Words his stern edict and outlines life's |
road!
Dear little Flag! Reminder, as thou art !
OF happy, moments that come not again, |
The sacred symbol of joyous heart
Chat long hath known the duling ache |
of pain)
I kiss thy stripes, then bow my weary |
head
And strive no more to hold back bitter |
tears.
Youths heart is gone-the battle-light is |
fled,
But faded flags wave down the retreat
ing years.
eELWYN IRVING HOFFMAN. |
French Corral, Cal.
McGraw-Lawlor contest Monday ev-
aning.