Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-06-14
The SOLDIER.
Henry Lawton.


One dreamy, drowsy afternoon to-
ward the end of June, having nothing
particular to do, sauntered in the
direction of the Chelsea College gar
dens. This shady little nook holds
the home of some of our old soldiers.
There they sat in solemn rows of fours
and fves on the wooden benches in the
cool, green avenue, dreaming away
the long summer afternoons, while
they watched the children play on the
grass before them.
A great longing came over me to
learn something of their lives.
If could come across one alone. I
thought, there might be a chance of
it; so, with lingering, backwa look
at the old fellows, walked on till I
came to more secluded part of the
gardens, where the pensioners culti-
vated little plots of ground, and sold
flowers and ferns to the nurses and
children, the proceeds of which en-
abled them to buy tobacco and rum
and other small luxuries.
It had been intensely hot, but now
a refreshing breeze was tossing the
lilac and laburnum trees, and in the
cool of the day the old men were hard
at work, watering, wedding and rak-
ing away, while they smoked and
changed opinions as to their respec-
tive nurseries,
Crossing the gravel path. came
upon bed composed entirely of
mignonette. It's fragrance was delight
full, and 1 paused moment to enjoy
the scent.
This little garden excited my curl
osity and looked with interest at the
gardener. His face was thin and
lined, with an expression of settled
melancholy on it, but there was some
thing in the large, dark eyes and SEN
sitive mouth that took my fancy.
"Here is an opportunity, II thought.
He looks nice, approachable old
man, and daresay would be glad to
have q chat"
At that moment, as if by some sud
den transition of mind, be glanced up
and fixed his speaking orbs on me.
''What lovely mignonette'' I ex-
claimed, by way of opening fire.
He smiled, but it was such sad
smile, 1 wished he hadn't-it some.
how made me feel sick and sorry.
'Let me cut you some, madam" he
said, gravely. 81 will in moment,
if you can wait"
"Please, oh, should like nothing
better" 1 answered, seating myself
and looking contentedly, while my
new friend went to work with a long
pair of rusty scissors.
His face interested me, strangely.
none the less when I noticed that the
Victoria Cross adorned his breast.
How could get him to talk?"
''May ask why you cultivate only
one fower?" I inquired with sudden
inspiration.
He looked at me again, in that in
tense way of his, for at least minute,
without speaking, then said irrele-
vanity:
"You have good, kind face. lady.
and"
He paused.
''Thank you for saying so," re-
joined, somewhat tamely, feeling
Allied and wondering what was COM
ing next.
"You asked just now why I only
grew one flower. 1 will tell you if
you care to listen.''
eyes" I replied, eagerly, 81 am
all attention.
SIT happened so long ago, yet it
seems only like yesterday. Mignon,
| Mirnon!'' he half -murmured to him
self.
I coughed softly, to remind him ol
my presence.
s.Lady, did you ever love anyone
very dearly?" he asked abruptly.
''Have II" I returned, somewhat
taken aback by this unexpected ques
ton. "Well yes, have been fond ol
several people have met at different
times of my life," was my discreet
rejoinder.
"Those two we're the only ones
cared for in the world-Mignon and
Ralph Stanley"
'Who was Mignon?" I queried
gently, for the old mans face was full
of emotion when he spoke her name.
81 always called her Mignon, ane
so did he," he continued, withou
needing me; ''the name suited her sc
we'll. She was never without q sill
of this" touching the flowers in M,
lap, ''in her belt or gown. She had
passion for mignonette, that is why
we called her Mignon, and she was a
sweet as the flower itself, with he
blue-bell eyes and nut brown hair"
s'Who was this other?" venture'
to ask, after pause.
/ Again the veteran seemed to forge
my existence, as he sighed, and said
musingly:
''To think that l never guessed il
and they were such bonny pair, toe
She could not help loving him, til
genial, handsome laddie-men an
officers alike in our regiment aimpl
adored him."
j "He served with you then?"