Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-05-30
A STORY FOR DECORATION DAY

A STORY FOR DECORATION DAY
BERTHE held the letter long in her
hands and, looking out across the rich
landscape that spread from the little
home near the river. sat in silence Till
the shadows seemed TO lengthen and
the arrows of the dying day fell no
longer on the sward
AS she folded the strange missive,
which had come to her from the south,
she looked up at a portrait hanging on
the wall. a portrait which on the
morrow would again wear wreath
which her fair hands would fashion,
and for a moment something glis-
tened, pear-like, in her blue eyes.
The last sounds of the final battle
had died away few years previous,
and the scars of war, while they still
remained unhealed, were fast vanish
ing beneath the reunited love of
great people.
Not far from the young girls home
the armies had pressed the grass and
the roar of conflict had shaken the
stately hills. She had gone often to
the little ford where she knew her
father had fought she had stood there
seeing yision-like, the long lines of
blue as they strove to hold the ford
against the gray, only TO be beaten
back and vanquished From that day
no tidings had come from her soldier
/ M,
opposite his name and though missing
on the rolls, he was ever present 20
her in u hopeful daughters memory
And now this strange letter had
, come like bird from southland. a
letter written in an unfamiliar hand,
and of itself a mystery.
Again and again she had read:
Dear Miss Parker: | have in my
possession a sword which picked up
on the battlefield after the brave de-
Tense of Gordon's Ford. The hilt Of
the weapon bears the name OF Capt.
John Parker. company A, til 0. Y. J..
|. | remember burying an officer after
the fight, and everything indicates
that the sword belongs to him. For
some time | have been trying to trace
his family. but without avail, till
lately, and | am now confident that
have discovered portion of II, at
least, in you. Strange TO say find
that you have moved TO the vicinity
of the fight at the ford and, as we
buried some OF our brave enemies
| I an al
that | can find the exact spot. The
war has not been over long, but we
are fast becoming, under God, re-
united people; and If you viii permit,
will return the sword which | be.
lieye was bravely worn by your father,
and | ask you to meet me at ten
O'Clock on the 30th at the ford and by
the big rock, If ii still remains there.
With the greatest respect.
Orvlle Lane, Late G. 5. A.,
Bert had shown the letter 70 her
invalid mother, who had read It with
tears and IN grateful silence
IF we could but find his grave sol
that we could strew It with flowers,
said the widow, I would b. ready to
depart in neace
lie says he can locate it, mother.
AT any rate. we cen crown papa's
sword and that would be a relief
Yes, yes You will go down to the
ford tomorrow. child?'
y win 80 there
The girl went 20 the window and
looked at the dying sun. It was gild.
ing the pines Of Virginia with its last
light a mournful good-by 70 the day.
I'm going out, mother" she said.
glancing at the thin figure in the
roller chair across the room. "iU
he back soon"
In another moment the young girl
had Quilted the house and was on her
way toward the river. The ford was a
favorite spot To her; II was redolent
with memories too sacred to express,
for she had believed that there her
father had fought his last battle. and
now the letter from the south had con
frmed IT,
The ripples Of the river laughed. az
II seemed. on their way To the distant
sea. and night bird was singing It's
last song among the pines that lined
the bank Bert stopped beside the
large rock mentioned Ia the south
erner's letter and leaned gently