The Irish standard., 1903-06-06
Flag Defenders. Indeed it was

lage-a man Win Il national reputa
ton of his own; whose ancestry Went
back to the Maytlower, and whose
family name was associated with
every period Of the nations life. Even
in secret they feared to snarl at the
Judge, for he had Il way of discover
ing their secrets which was discon
certing. On more than one occasion
he had dashed them severely, for theil
narrow conception of American pat
riotism. Hence though they disliked
his catering to the Irish, as they ex.
pressed it, they We're heartily afraid
of him.
The Judge was indeed Catering to
the Irish" on this Memorial Day. He
urged the good things of his table up,
OH them, and charmed them so with
his conversation that it was almost
dark when, with many hearty good
wish, they parted from their host and
his wife, fell in behind the drum
corps, and began their march back to
Millvale. They had left the village
behind them and entered a very lone.
ly part of the road, when one of the
men who had Jagged behind shouted
a warning to clear the road-that
there was galloping horse coming
after them. Almost before they
realized it the Judge, from whom
they had SO lately parted, was in the
midst of them.
Boys said he, hurriedly, Il have
just heard some news which decided
me to ride a little way with you to-
night. Don't question me now;
have no time for explanations. Let
the color guard close around the flags.
Put your youngest and strongest men
ut the rear, Captain Casey. Now, let
me ride at the head of you. Keep a
sharp lookout in all directions.
Something may or may not happen to-
night, but l want you all to be pre-
pared Now, then, step out, boys. and
perhaps, after all We'll reach Millvale
without any trouble" The veterans
were much puzzled ut the words and
actions of the Judge, but they hardly
had time to wonder about them when,
through the low bushes which border
ed the road at this point, there broke
il number of men whose forms were
only barely diSccrnible and whose
faces could not be seen in the dark
ness. They completely surrounded the
little band of veterans.
stand where you are, and hand
us over that green tlas!" cried !,
dozen voices at once.
What do you mean?" demanded
Captain Casey, startled, but by no
means frightened. He had faced
death too often to he afraid, but that
he was indignant at the insolent de.
mand was very evident. "You know
we'll what we mean," answered a
voice which it's owner evidently tried
to disguise. ,"Give up that dirty Irish
flag of yours. or else there'll be
trouble! We've come to take it, and
we're going to have it, This'll be the
last day you'll ever have the chance
to carry that foreign rag in this vii,
lager
\ burst of innrticulate rage broke
from the lips of the old soldiers at
this insult to the llonored flag of the
old regiment But Captain Casey
slencel them.
ME good men," said he, peering in.
to the darkness. and speaking in the
rich brogue which years of absence
from Ireland had only slightly modi
fed IF ye're meanin' that we should
give you that flag which was the
color of our regiment in the war, ye're
askin' for something that we can't do,
It's ours not yours. We own it. You
don't. We fought to preserve it. You
didn't. AS for it's bein' green, we
make no apology. AS for it's bein dir
ty-well, we confess it is kind of
soilcd; but it is soiled with the dust
an smoke of twenty battlefelds. 1t
is soiled with the blood of brave men,
not towards, and mongrels like you
an your gangr
a cheer broke from the veterans ut
this startling climax to Il speech
which began so calmly.
Let them come an get it, if they
dare! Missed Mike Delaney through
his clenched teeth. I'VE fought to
save this flag before We can fight
to save it again. ould as we are"
Aye. that we cam" passionately us
sented Patrick Brennan. Come on!
We're not afraid o yer crowd O.
cheap British americans"
The old men We're aroused. The
fighting blood of the race was running
riot in their old veins. They closed
around the colors and prepared for
the worse. The Judge sat silent on
his horse, dimly outlined in the dark.
ness.
$50 that's your answer. is it?'
sncered the same voice. well, we
are glad it is. Well tear this dirty
Irish rag from you and your set of
old cripples. Come on. boys, let us
knock 'em over and take it away from
them!'
There was an ominous forward
movement. "Stop!''
1t was the voice of the Judge, thun