The record-union., 1899-06-19
THE HEADSTONE
OF THE MAJOR.

/ !
Sandyville, as some prosaic early set
tier had christened the little teener OF
the big lake town, was about to enjoy
its gIan0est public holiday. Decoration
Day was the one occasion when the
hamlet asserted itself in mutual ef-
fort that included old and young and
great and small.
There were committees without num-
Der, there was the Lincoln Post of Vet
Grams. and the Sandyville Band and
the Sandyville school children. The
Sandyville ladies' made the wreaths and
punched the flowers, the school chill
dren sang their loud'ast and loyalest,
the veterans placed the flowers on the
flag marked graves and the band
footed it's prettiest from early morn
until the shadows grew long.
| Perhaps there was dreaded same
ness about these exercises, but that did
not lessen the interest in them. They
were a year apart and this somewhat
! toned down the inevitable monOtony.
The observance of Decoration Day
they couldn't bring themselves to call
1T Memorial Day-was both a duty and
a pleasurable relaxation, and every
body in Sandyville improved the oc-
casionL
| The observance of the day in the
year of grace 1899 was patterned close
ly after it's predecessors. Cap'n Faw-
cett was again the Chief Marshal-he
owned the handsomest saddle horse in
the township, and the various commit
tees were made up pretty much as
usual. The last meeting of these COM
mittees was held on the Saturday pre-
ceding the Both in the town hall.
Squire Dickey presided, and the Chair
men of the several committees made
brief reports When the last commit
teeman had turned in his statement the
Chairmans call for new business was
interrupted in a somewhat peculiar
way. A stout man something past
middle age. with close cropped mus
tache and iron gray hair, arose in the
rear of the hall and said that although
he was a stranger in Sandyville he was
in such deep sympathy with the object
Of the gathering that he felt en-
boldened to rise and address them.
When he said he was in sympathy with
them he meant practical sympathy.
Decoration Day was the one day that
linked all loyal hearts in bonds of
tenderest meaning He desired to hand
the Committee of Finance the sum Of
$50 to assist in defraying the neces-
sary expenses of the occasion.
There was applause, which deepened
as the stout stranger stalked up to the
Chairman and laid the bank bills on
the table before him.
ITO whom do l credit this munifi-
cent subscription?" inquired the polite
Chairman
The stranger hssitated
Call it a stranger from Utah." he
said, as though the matter was of but
trif1ing moment.
will you stay over for the observ-
ance?" inquired the Chairman
Perhaps 1 WILL" said the stranger;
Il have a spare day or two on my
hands.
And might I inquire continued the
Chairman, with studied courtesy, IF
you are military mana veteran,
perhaps, of the Civil War;"
Yes" said the stranger, with a
quick salute and a short laugh; las 1
was on military duty in Cuba last
summer, 1 believe I'm a veteran OF
both wars"
A buzz of interest ran through the
hall.
| We should be proud, indeed, to
have you assume prominence in our ex-
ercises' said the Chairman, as he re-
| turned the salute.
No, no. cried the stranger; Il pre-
fer to be a mere locker on. Besides,
may be called away at any moment.
Thank you very kindly" And he
turned away. Then he paused.
Might 1 ask" he said, "if you have
among the sleepers in your pretty
cemetery. any soldier of more than
usual distinction
Major Hawkins is the officer of
highest rank replied the Chairman.
HE fell in the surprise at Chancellors-
vile. He was the Major of our home
regiment, and Drawer or more popu
lar officer never wore the blue
Hawkins, you say?" queried the
stranger.
Yes, Major Jonas Hawkins
| The stranger eyed the Chairman
sharply.
He's buried there, you say?"
| We'll, not exactly" replied the
Chairman. You see, he was among
| the missing at Charlottesville, but
there isn't the faintest doubt of his
death So his saddened, though proud,
| fellOwtownsmen had a neat head
stone placed over what might have
been his grave. You'll see it up there
ON Tuesday,
Thank you," said the stranger,
sharply, and saluting once more, he
quickly turned and strode up the aisle
and out through the main entrance.
! There was another buzz as he dis
| appeared, and for a moment or two
! the Chairman found it quite impossi-
BILE to draw attention back to the busi-
ness of the moment.
| ''Rayther mysterious old chap"
whispered Veteran Joe Plummer to
Veteran Tom Gale
"Nothin' mysterious bout his money
-far's l could jedge from this dis
tance," returned Veteran Gale.
There's one thing I'm sorry the
Cap'n didn't ask him." said Veteran
Plummer.
What's that?'
Which side he was on
Then the Chairman raped for ST.
lence and order.
| The stranger was seen several times
in Sandyville during the two days that
intervened before the day of memories.
He wasn't a guest at the Parker House,
but drove over, it was understood, from
Clingstone, four miles east on the Buff
falo road. He made no friends, and