The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1903-07-04

orable discharges with the Governors
signatures having psIed almost 10 ex-
tlnctiOn: and if the BlairsVille corps
could but get possession Of the gorgeous
silk flag. il could snap a metaphoricai
finger at its rivals war relics.
my husband used to say" thought
Mrs. Lowry. that everything had 4
humorous side
She CROPPED her way through the
rooms seeking a match and wondering
why Fred had not taken time TO light the
hall lamp. In q little while she was
standing on q chair gently lifting a large
Eat box from the top shelf Of a 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 il out between
them whether OF not she was hopelessly
/ foolish. as Mrs. Patterson had more than
once declared with great candor to cling
so tenaciousiy 10 a few yards Of red,
white and blue silk.
As the flag, thrown over the chairs. as
I il was, shimmered in the lamp glow. il
began to simulate the pail Of 3 some
what elongated bier 70 Mrs Lowry's
annoyed and saddened spirit Il was
but the work Of q second 10 spread it
out on the floor. Then the old lady sat
down TO wait for her grands0n's coming.
She noticed the noise Of q door opening
and imagined the steps Of two young men
coming along the hall But when they
had reached the door and she lifted her
tired eyes, not taking her chin from the
palm Of her hand where il seemed TO rest
listlessly. she saw the man was not
young and a stranger.
Well. mother" Fred always address
ed his grandmother thus, the Seventy
eighth is what Mr.. Mccoy has come TO
talk TO you about"
Yes. 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 a word put the
older people on an amicable footing.
Mrs Lowry's face frightened as
though some soft light had been thrown
across il Her eyes wandered affection
s;ely TO her grandson. and then back
TO the lawyer.
And perhaps you knew my husband :"
she asked.
Every man in the regiment Mrs
Lowry, knew your husband, at least by
reputation. For gallant service and q
=
our government can do to offer you a
quarterly pension and all the back money
that is coming to you"
The old lady clasped her thin fingers
nervously and said with excitement in
her broken voice: Il never intended TO
ask. II seemed like mockery to claim a
reward"
Il told Mr. Mccoy" the boy broke in,
that it would be hard to make you be-
lieve a pension was not a bonus put on
, patriotism"
, Mr. Mccoy slowly unbuttoned his coat
and took file Of papers from his pocket.
Here are the papers, he said. re
lating to your husbands record. and also
. the application blanks. All we want
now are two witnesses"
Il never intended" she interrupt.
ed absent-mindedly. thinking that with
the back pay there would be no necessity
for parting with the flag. Fred could
, have his vacation. She looked across at
the boy. She thought Of how hravely
, he had worked his way through college
never taking more than a weeks holiday
through the loing sultry summers. She
= noticed for the first time that some Of
, the roundness of his cheek had disap'
peared She could save him the weary
/. journey through the lumber country: In
2 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 as her mind few along in the mag
!. mary heat, Mrs, Patterson's voice came
: In through the open window like a COO
breeze springing up unexpectedly. She
:. was saying loudly enough for Mrs. Low
!, ~ to hear; I'VE can hang it just abov,
: the slcove."
: ats very kind" Nrs. Lowry said
! quickly, ito take so much trouble.
: think would like to have you enter my
. name In the widows list. And IN ash
|, my friends 90 be witnesses-and IN,
= dear old aag." she said under her breath
: kneeling down 10 smooth out wrinkle
= "I'll never sell you. never: but III LEND
you every yesr for the Fourth Of july
: exercises. Olive Benton in San Fran
: cisco Chronicle.
4
n Victim.