Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-05-24
Jake scratched his head. The crown
of his hat vas missing; that was con-


of his hat was missing; that was con-
venient at times.
WELL" Jake answered refectively,
"them's fellers what-what fights, or
somethin', an then goes an dies, N
every year the people goes out ter the
graveyard an takes flowers, an sings, IN
prays, an gifts a hollerday. It's nifty.
Let's me an you 60"
The first ray of light found Crooksie
awake the next day. He knew just
where in a neighboring court a milkwced
had opened some fuzzy yellow blossoms,
and The heroes should have them, every
one.
1t all seemed beautiful out there in the
cemetery. In the tenements death meant
a black box for those who went and IL
black bottle for those who We're left be-
hind. But this little world of grass and
sunshine where the birds sang and the
flowers bloomed was different.
The exercises had already begun. and
the eager, surging throng pushed and
' crowded on it's way to the soldiers plot.
Once the boys We're pressed almost under
the feet of Il big black horse.
The lady who was driving drew the
rein sharply and stopped. The boys STAR
ed hard at her.
"Ain't she a pretty one, though?"
whispered Crooksie, and Jake nodded.
"Sure!" he said.
There was something in the little bent
figure, and the pinched. pain-scarred face
of Crooksie that touched the pretty lady,
for she leaned suddenly toward the bows
and smiled.
Wouldn't you like to ride?" she asked.
Crooksie's heart gave a great bound,
and then stood still. He had never rid
den in all his life; but now something
was choking him. He shook his head,
and the lady drove up the hill alone.
The morning Wore on and noon came.
Children grew tired and cried, with their
little faces hidden in their mothers
skirts, or went to sleep on the green turf.
Women sat singly or in groups on the
copings and ate sandwiches and boiled
eggs. Thus does life assert itself in the
presence of death.
AT last the memorial address was over,
and the heroes below the Stars and
Stripes slept under Il quilt of flowers.
The volley had been fired, and the can
mons deep-mouthed cry went echoing
through the hills.
Then there was a terrified Shrek.
Runaway! Rnnaway!' somebody call
ed. Look out for the runaway" and a
big black horse came plunging down the
narrow drive. The phaeton held the pref
ty lady. People screamed and scattered
like frightened sheep. There was not a
man among them who dared to stop the
beast.
Near the foot of the hill a tiny figure
stood, with one little crutch outstretched
"Crooksie! Yer burned fool!.' scream
ed jake Bollinas. 'Crooksie-'
sect the kid out of the way.!' yelled
II man. Hes no good!!" and the women
shut their eyes.
There was a crash. The horse had
struck something and stood still; a po-
liceman caught him by the bride.
1t was hours before Crooksic showed
signs of returning to life. Then there
was n rushing sound in his ears. like the
wind in the pines; he was drifting some
where. and patches of red and yellow
light danced before his eyes.
Hes coming round ut last said the
doctor.
Then Crooksie felt a soft, cool hand on
his, and looked up, straight into the face
Of the pretty lady.
The night lamp shed a tender glow
through the dainty room and rested Low.
ingly on the little bed.
Crooksie had never seen such a room
before. He tried to sit up, but fell back
with a cry Of pain and lay quite still.
My precious little boy" said the pref.
ty lady. MY dear, brave little hero.''
Crooksie's eyes had a question in them
and the doctor raised him on the pillow.
Eyer didn't mean me:' he said
"'Cause I'm crooked, yer know, and
there amt any crooked ones, is there?'
Crooked what, dear?" asked the lady.
"Herors," he said with an effort. 'Is