Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-02

A long time ago, at least 1t seemed so to
Josie's seven years, her daddy had ridden
away in front of a lot of men all dressed
alike, mounted on prancing horses and
carrying shining swords. She wondered
why her pretty mamma cried so much as
the DAYS went by and he didn't come back,
and when she asked where he was mann
ma told her he had gone way across the
water to help make some bad people stop
hurting others who were not as strong as
they. She Immediately thought of that
bullying little Willie johnson. My! how
her daddy must be whipping all the boys
over there like him! But she privately
wished daddy hadn't gone so far TO DO
that when IT made mamma feel so BAD
and Willie was so near home!
One morning at breakfast uncle read
for a long time out of newspaper, and
she listened. Daddy's name was repeated
over and over, and her puzzled little mind
tried to grasp what it all meant but all
she could make out was something about
being promoted on the field and MEDALS
and then he read one part In an under
tone, which made mamma cry, and uncle
wiped his eyes, too. But Josie noticed tnat
they looked very glad and proud even
through their tears. Then uncle caught
her up and they followed mamma into
the parIor, where daddy's picture hung;
uncle made low bow before IT, so low,
indeed. that Josie's golden curls busted
daddy's face, and mamma kissed It, say
ing: General. salute your
At last Daddy was coming home. Dress
ed in her best frock, Josie, with mamma
and her nurse, took a long ride on the
train until they came right down on a long
wharf to a big ship, where the happlest
meeting took place you can think OF. she
noticed something funny, though-Dad-
dy's sleeve was empty. So when she had
a chance she asked him: Daddy, where
have you hidden your arm?" and wonder
ed why the lively chatter and converse
ton was suddenly hushed and mamma and
everybody looked so sad. But the trip
back home was the grandest thing little
Josie had ever experienced After going
a little way on the steam car they came 10
a great, large city, and met, oh. so many
soldiersl And then the soldiers all formed
in long line stretching so far away that
she couldn't see the end of II. Pretty soon
Daddy mounted a beautiful white horse
and started to go to the head OF the pro-
cession. and Josie got so excited that she
ran right after him, but the crowd was
so dense that II was all the little glrl
could do TO keep the white horse in sight,
and Daddy had reached the front, and was
Just about to start the procession when
she got to him. He could not leave his
position. but he said something to SOL
der who lifted her right up on the pom
mel of Daddy's saddle, and then went on
to reassure Mamma and Nina, the nurse.
Then they started on their long march
through two solid masses of people, pack
ed between the houses and the curb for
miles and miles, and how they did cheer
as Josie and Daddy passed! She showed
herself the true soldiers daughter she
was by the way she held up her pretty
little head, never looking ei,-4er TO the
right or left, and sitting up straight as an
arrow steadied by the single arm Of the
wars greatest hero.
In charge of Nina, Josie had been all
that long summer day at the large COW
cred shed in the middle of the square
watching the men fit huge. formless
pieces of bronze together, and finally