The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-05-26


white. wide apple blossoms aud brignt
scarlet flowers. and started for visit 10
the neglected captain. lie sat by The
window this Decoration day in most
respondent mood. II was quite true,
as Mrs. Baker said. that il be had had
more push and assurance he might long
since have obtained his well-deseryed
pension. and now made much more inn
preston on the army men Of this town:
but the captain was always n retiring
man. and sickness and age had not
made him more self-confident. What
with his physical pain from his rheu-
matism and his hearts sorrow al his
lack OF ability. he was beginning 10 feel
| like a very old soldier now. and he an
swered with unusual impatience TO Mrs.
Bakers twentieth twitiing remark: Il
wish 10 gracious ! 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 q 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 sign Of forgetfulnesS
and reconciliation.
The captain shook it warmly. "ltr
real good Of you TO remember an old sol
der. Miss Dorothy" he said, heartily.
That's morcn anybody else does"
| Mrs. Baker murmured sourly from thu
door.
| Dorothy turned toward her with a
| bright smile. She had learned TO APP
preciate the present Mrs. Bakers ex-
cellent qualities despite her fondness
for talking. Its "a very pleasant dsA
isn't it," she questioned, cheerfully.
Mrs Baker nodded and smiled family.
There's a 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
II think this gentleman will see about
it, really do" Dorothy added in eager
interest. 'and papa thinks you ought 10
have 1t. Capt Baker"
Capt. Baker flushed. 'Well, l 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.
$50 it would Miss Dorothy" he ad.
mitted, so il would"
II was sorry you couldn't 20 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
pr'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 10 the end of the little porch.
"Oh. captain" cried Dorothy. "see The
procession. They're marching right
Idown this way. oh. do come and see.
The captain came TO Dorothy's side
to look at the advancing coluEn. Dor
othy dashed into the house 10 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 oil
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 loyely?"
Then down between the ranks of mer
came the carriage bearing Dorothy'i
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 il would be more ma
terially rewarded. C'That means the
pension" Mrs. Baker whispered from
the doorway, and how he had lost 9
leg in the service of his country
dorothy was afraid that might hur'
the captains feelings) and the speech
ended with the words: Though to
day be a memorial Of the dead, let il
also be n time of honor for the living
And then some boy in bright uniform
came TO take from the carriage boy
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
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 II
was the captains turn to prevent Dor
othy from running away, for they
cheered for little Miss Seaton with Z
hearty will. Then the carriage moved
on and the soldiers formed into line and
| a n al n