Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-12-05

he made his own LIQUOR from that corn
md sold IL; where was the harm? The
mortgage on the little place would soon
fall due, and he would be IN prison and
could not pay It, And the little. hard
working woman that he had called wife.
what would she do? And the mounds
under the big old trees over which he
had raised rude crosses, where she had
placed fresh flowers every day over the
graves OF her sons-their sons Had
they not been first to answer the call of
Mckinley for troops to back the nation
In her fight for humanity and vengeance
Tor the Maine? They had marched boldly
nway to the little town at the foot of the
hill and enlisted. And how proud he had
been OF them; his two boys; big fellows
they were, each more than six feet tall.
and mere boys. How he admired them in
| the common homespun clothing, their
muscular, well-built frames looming up
among the city fellows. And how he and
Jane had gone all the way to Charleston,
using up quite little bit of their savings,
Just to see them as they embarked for
Cuba. How he had found place in big
doorway and they strained their eyes for
INC NOAlillSs vi Inc SOtultI DONS. away OH
down the street band was playing, COM
ing closer, and that tune, Dixie" dear
old Dixie" that he had marched to 80
years ago, when the brothers of the
south rose in defense of their rights and
fought the soldiers of the north, only
to be overpowered. And now they
can see a blue line swinging down
the street. The band has changed
to Yankee Doodle;" flags are flying.
handkerchiefs are waving, the crowds
are shouting, and directly he sees them,
dressed in their uniforms. marching with
the rest, and the little, wrinkled woman
at his side had cried as they turned to-
ward the little mountain hut that they
called home. The first time since the
boys were born that they had gone home
without them
He thought of it all now, and how, after
weeks of anxious waiting for news. he
received letter saying that John was
coming home. Not coming. but being
sent. in coffin with a ragged hole in his
breast where a Spanish ball had vented
its spite on the nation that came between
it and its prey. How he again went to
Charleston. this time sad and alone, and
brought back the boy who had been his
idol-dead. They had buried him under
that tree, the mother had cried a little.
new lines came to her face and she had
ceased to sing. After awhile he got
another letter from Bill Bill said that
he was discharged and coming home very
Ill. And how they had gone for the third
time to Charleston to bring back their
how 4 I, % 4
they reached the station a stranger with
beard, who looked like a doctor, took
him to one side and told him that Bill
had died on the train and was being
brought home dead.
They had taken Bill and laid him TO
rest beside his brother. martyrs to their
country's cause. And now that country
for which he would have died. that coun-
try which he called home. had taken his
boys. and was now stealing his liberty.
Can II be wondered that feeling of re-
sentiment surged over him and he
clinched his teeth and his breath came
fast and hot.
They started on their way to the town
below. NO. you can't so there" was the
reply given when he had asked to be al
lowed to say good-by to his wife. Might
have some of your crowd there, and we
amt particularly anxious to meet them"
And they rode on and saw the dying rays
Of the autumn sun lighting on the little
cross and then home was shut from view.
He bowed his head to the inevitable and
rode along in silence. Suddenly shot
rang sharp and clear. its echoes vibrat-
ing on the mountain side, and one of his
captors bit the dust Before the other
could have time to act the unseen hand
had again pressed the trigger and death
had again found victim waiting, and
from behind boulder the little woman
appeared dragging the gun which the off,
cers in their haste had left behind. still
smoking. She came forward without
speaking, freed his hands. and turned the
horse loose to find its way back TO the
stable.
'Supper's most ready, Tom" she said,
and they turned their faces homeward,
leaving the stars shining down on two
forms that would never move again.
Away off in the distance dog barked,
whip-poor-wiil plaintively called, and
the moon showed over the hill tops. gild-
ing the weather-beaten hut. From the
windows a cheerful LIGHT shone; inside
the old man and his wife ate their scanty
meal in silence.