Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-07-02

orable discharges with the Governors
signatures having paled almost to ex.
tinction; and if the Blairsville corps
could but get possession of the gorgeous
silk flag it could snap a metaphoricaj
finger at its rivals war relics.
MY husband used to say" thought
Mrs. Lowry, that everything had
humorous side"
She CROPPED her way through the
rooms. seeking match and wondering
why Fred had not taken time to light the
hall lamp. In a little while she was
standing on chair gently lifting large
fiat box from the top shelf of cup
board. She thought she would spread
the flag over the backs of several chairs,
and after her sons visitor had gone she
and Fred would have it out between
them whether or not she was hopelessly
foolish, as Mrs. Patterson had more than
once declared with great candor to cling
so tenaciOusly to a few yards of red
white and blue silk.
AS the flag, thrown over the chairs, as
it was, shimmered in the lamp glow, il
began to simulate the pail of a some'
what elongated bier to Mrs. Lowry's
| annoyed and saddened spirit. 1t was
but the work of q second to spread il
out on the floor. Then the old lady sal
down to wait for her grondson's coming.
She noticed the noise Of n door opening
and imagined the steps of two young men
coming along the hail. But when they
had reached the door and she lifted heI
tired eyes, not taking her chin from the
palm Of her hand where it seemed to rest
listlessly. she saw the man was not
young and stranger.
well, mother" Fred always address
ed his grandmother thus, 1.-THE Seventy.
eighth is what Mr.. Mccoy has come to
talk to you about"
Eyes, Mrs. Lowry, I'm looking up the
records of my old regiment. I'm a pen
sion lawyer"
"Mr Mccoy was in the Seventy
eighth" explained Fred, boyishly con.
scious that he had with word put the
older people on an amicable footing.
Mrs. Lowry's face frightened as
though some soft light had been thrown
across 1t. Her eyes wandered affection,
ately to her grandson, and then bach
to the lawyer
"And perhaps you knew my husbandY
she asked.
Every man in the regiment, Mrs,
Lowry, knew your husband, at least by
reputation. For gallant service and
willing life to his country, It is the least
our government can do to offer you
quarterly pension and all the back money
that is coming to you"
The old lady clasped her thin finger;
nervously and said with excitement in
her broken voice: Il never intended tQ
ask. 1t seemed like mockery to claim
reward"
| fN1l ~,
"that it would be hard to make you be,
leve a pension was not q bonus put OF
patriotism"
Mr.. Mccoy slowly unbuttoncd his coat
and took a file Of papers from his pocket
Here are the papers," he said. IRE.
lating to your husbands record, and also
the application blanks. All we want
now are two witnesses"
81 never intended" She interrupt
ed miniedly, thinking that with
the back pay there would be no necessity
for parting with the flag. Fred could
have his vacation. She looked across al
the boy, She thought Of how bravely
he had worked his way through college,
never taking more than a weeks holiday
through the LONG sultry summers. She
noticed for the first time that some of
the roundness of mis- cheek had disap
pcared. She could save him the weary
journey through the lumber country; in
her minds eye, she saw the endless
dusty country road; an occasional house
on either side stretched before her, and
she pictured the boys MONDAY fatigue
And DIS her mind flew along in the mag,
mary heat, Mrs. Patterson's voice came
in through the open window like a cool
breeze springing up unexpectedly. She
was saying loudly enough for Mrs. Low.
ry to hear: I'VE can hang It just above
the alcove."
ITS very kind" Mrs. Lowry said
quickly, Ito take so much trouble. |
think | would like to have you enter my
name in the widows list. And I'll ask
; my friends to b. witnesses-and tho
dear old flag" she said under her breath,
kneelng down to smooth out a wrinkle,
I'm never sell you, never; but I'll lend
you every year for the Fourth of July
, exercises. Olive Benton in San Fran,
cisco Chronicle.
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A Victim.
lie Is minus Y piece OF hi. arm