The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-04-06

you're great and rich and famous and the
worlds fun Of your name. I'll tell folk
/ know you like my own boy. and I'll brae
about how many times you used to com,
TO see me
Hush. Tom. YOU make me feel silly
said CASTOR. as he warmly pressed the old
fellows hand. He went back towards his
office with lighter step and more buoyan'
I heart. His mind was as clear as the noon.
day sun that was now flooding the green
fresh world with its splenior. He wou!d
stand by his own people. He would sink
or swim with them. II poverty and failure
were the result. let It be so. II success
came. all the better. There were things
more 70 be desired than gold.
! Sam Love. the new Postmaster. was a
tovial, honest, lazy. good-natured Democrat
whose ideal Of a luxurious life was attained
in his office. He handed CASTOR his mail
with a Gissle.
What's the matter with you. Sam"
"Nuthin' tall. I Just thought Ia tell yon
that I like her handwriting he laughed.
How dare you study the handwriting az
my letters. sir
Whats the use OF being Postmaster?
There amt no big money in It. 1 Just take
Ifi Isl Nht OiiIf' SblL shm BFHldllN.
That's a new one. amt ~"
CASTOR looked at the letter ncreduicusly
1t was a new One-a big square envelope
with a seal on the back OF It addressed 10
him on tie most delicate feminine hand.
and postmarked Independence"
Great Scott. this Is interesting" he cried.
breaking the seal.
When the Postmaster - " he was going
to open It right there In the Office. he
stepped around in front and looking over
his shoulder. SAID:
What is II. Charlie"
It's an invitation from the Ladies ,!e-
mortal Association to deliver the Memorial
Day Grafton at Independence the 10Th Of
May. That's great. No money IN it. bat
scores OF pretty girls. big speech. con-
gratulations. the lion Of the hour. Don't
You wish you were really a man of brains.
Sdn?'
mo. no. I'm married. 1t would be a
waste now"
CASTOR accepted the Invitation with fever
ish haste. He had II all ready TO put In III.
office for the return mail 10 independence.
But he was ashamed TO appear IN such a
hurry, so he held tie letter over until thu
next day.
On the 10th Of May Independence was in
gala robes. The long rows OF beautiful
houses with dark bluegrass lawns on which
giant oaks spread their cool arms. were CAV
with bunting. and with flowers. flowers
everywhere, Every urchin on the stree.
and every man. woman and child wore or
carried flowers.
At 10 o'clock the procession was formed.
\ - "
down the shaded pavements a mile toward
the cemetery. two long rows of beautiful
girls holding great bouquets of flowers. This
long double line OF beauty and sweetness
opened. and escorted gravely by the oldest
General Of the Confederacy present, he
walked through this mile ,of smiling girl.
and flowers, Behind him tramped the vet.
Grams. some with one arm, some with wood
en- legs.
When they passed through. the double
line closed. and two and two the hundreds
OF girls carried their flowers in solemn pro-
cession. Here was the throbbine soul OF
the South. keeping fresh the love of her
heroic deadl ,
Ana then to the stone altar marked: ITO
the Unknown Dead they came and heaped
up roses. Then a group Of sad-faced wom-
en- dressed in black. with quaint little bon
nets wresthing their brows like nuns. went
silently over to the National Cemetery
across the way and each taking a basket.
walked past the long lines of the dead their
boys had fought and dropped a single rose
on every soldiers grave. They were wom-
en- whose boys were buried In strange land.
In lonely unmarked trenches. They were
doing now what they hoped some woman's
hand would do for their lost heroes.
Castor ] sd never seen this ceremony 50