The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-07-23

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81 went right west, straight as a bee
line, worked as a farmland, railroad
hand, anything. Got to Nebraska, and
hired out on a ranch. And 1 never
moved again, once on that ranch, till
last month, and then l did want to see
Mandy. So l came back, and now 1
wish't l hadn't"
'Well," continued Abner, brighten
ing up, as the train slowed down on it's
approach to the scene of the days
celebration, 81 am glad to be with you,
comrade, and with the other com
rades. l haven't worn my old button
till to-day, in years" He lovingly
fingered the bronze treasure on his
dingy brown coat. 81 believe I'll get
courage to look up Mandy now, and
I've got all of my savings for her..
Couldn't spend any money out on that
ranch!"
While the railway train had been
scudding over the rails, two young peo-
pie walked across the fields, from the
end of the electric road, on their way
to the Decoration day exercises.
LET me carry that big bunch of flow
ers," said the man to the pretty girl at
his side.
''No, Tom" the girl protested, keep
ing her flowers in her own grasp, but
smiling upon the stalwart young fell
low with a good deal of friendliness.
"You have enough to do to take care of
that basket of lilacs. And they are the
most important. White and purple
lilacs seem just made for Decoration
day"
of May?" asked Tom.
yes" answered the girl, "and this
time l am so glad you are with me.
Before, l have come alone"
81 can guess why you come" said
Tom, edging as near to his companion
as the peace and dignity of the state
and of the young lady herself-al-
lowed.
81 don't know whether father is liv-
ing or dead" said Mandy, but it is
because of him that l bring flowers out
here every Decoration day. l make it
point to put flowers on the graves Of
the unknown dead, or those with no
stone to mark them"
Her eyes filled with tears and she
turned her head away from Tom.
81 shall always be with you, after
this" said Tom. quietly and earnestly.
And who knows but that your father
may be with us, too, another year!
Don't cry, l am in hopes that you will
see him again, one of these days"
''If he should come, Tom, and we
should be in our own little home, would
you be good to him?"
81 will, Mandy, You may be sure of
that" said Tom, with a seriousness
that was convincing.
Just as the young couple reached the
foot of the mound on the little hill by
the soldiers monument, they heard
the throb of drums. They drew aside
and stood under the shade of an elm, to
see the veterans march by.
There's father" said Tom, as his
eye encountered, from a distance. that
of Asher Hills. And then, at warm
ing gesture from the elder Hills, Tom
guided the girl who was with him, as
she still watched the little procession,
toward the screen made by clump of
lilacs and snowballs, near little foot
path which led away from the crowd
surrounding the monument, where the
formal exercises were to be held.
''What is it, Tom" she said. 81 was
going to hear the singing, and the
speaking"
''Wait minute" whispered Tom,
here comes father, and who's that
with him."
Asher Hills had the stranger by the
elbow, and was steering him toward
the young people. At the edge of the
little plot of grass where they stood,
the two veterans stopped.
'Abner," the voice of Hills was low
and little tense, ''look at that young,
ster, that's my boy Tom. And the
girl
''Father!" In a moment 'Mandy's
arms were around the wanderers neck,
and the grass was covered with Man
dy's peonies and pansies.
Tom gathered them up for his basket
and together he and his father walked
away, joining band of veterans as
they started upon their work of deco
rating the graves Of soldiers marked
unknown"
"Abner shall stay with me-" said
Asher Hills, until Mandy marries
and settles down" He noted the flush
on his sons cheek, and smiled. "We've
just got settled in our home" he con-
tinued, "and your mothers no mover.
Abner shall live in peace what little
time there's left to him"
And at evening the crowds were
gone; the decorated graves were glow
ing, unseen by mortal eyes, in the dy-
ing splendors of the setting sun. The
night came on. The flags and flowers
held their brightness as long as there
was ray of light. And then at last
the stars in their arching vault of
blackness shone down upon world
of shadowy, coloriess shapes 1t was
night. And the glorious dead slept in
peace.