The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1903-07-16

wish't hadn't "a
"Well,", continued Abner, brighten
ing up, as the train slowed down on its
/ approach to the sccne of the days
,celebration, II am glad 10 be with you,
comrade, and with; the other COM
rades. I haven't worn my old button
till to-day, in years" He! lovingly
fingered the bronze l'4 e treasure on his
dingy brown coat, - believe hi get
courage to look upp Mandy now, and
I've got all of my savings for her.
Couldn't spend any money out on that
ranchi" -. ..n
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. IT,
"Let me carry that big bunch of flow
ers," said the man to the pretty girl at
his side. -.
mo, Tom," the girl protested, keep
ing her flowers in her own grasp, but
smiling upon the stalwart young fell
low withaa 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." ls3a.: 'a ii tad q = ISL 81
do you come out here every 3Oth-
of May?" asked Tom.
"Yes," answered the girl, land this
time I am so glad you; are with me-.
Before, I have come alone..''3 ~ ~
i:"r can guess why you Gomez, said
Tom, edging as near to his companions
as the peace and dignity of the state
and Of the young lady 'herself-al-
ElHv,ttads es:.s yla sass !S%:.i. st.ss .s;sA y;
81 don't know whether father Is liv-a
ing or Dead" said Mandy, '.'but it is,
because Of him that bring flowers out
here every Decoration day: I make it
a point to put flowers on the graves Of
the unknown deada sor those with no
stone to mark them" %
Her eyes filed with tears and she
turned her head away from Tom. e
1T shah always be with ydp, after.
iris" saia Tom, auiet1kand earnestly.
ssasAnd who knows but hat your father
| may be. with us, toosAp4bther yeart
Don't cry, i am n hopes that you will
see him Again, ona,.af~theseaays:'
eff he should come, Tom, Ind we
should be in our own little home, would
you be good to him ?'' {
81 will, Mandy you may bezsulre Of
that" said Tom with q seriousness
that was convincing. 4 re
I just as the young couple cached 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, al his
eye encountered, from distance, sthat
Of Asher Hills. And then, at 4 warn
ling 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 a 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. i
what is it, Tom," she, said. Twas
going ng;1 to hea & 'aip9Pg' and the
"wait minute whispered Tom,
''here comes7 father, and who's that
with 5him3'iS,s
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.i,fsfJl 4
"Abner," the voice of Hills was.low
and little tense, "look at that young,
steg., that's. my boy Tom, And the.
girEE-ffI. EIj II. 1aGI(}I
"Father!" In moment 'Mandy's
arms were around the wanderers neck.
and the grass was covered with Man.
/ dys peonjes and pansiesT
Tom gathered them upfdr Ills basket
and together he and his father walked
EawaE joiniug q band -p& veterans ms
they started upon their work of deco
rating the graves ct .oqllHier., marked
"Abner shall stay with me-" said
Asher Hills, until Mandy marries
and settles down." He noted the flusl.
on his son. cheels aud smiled. .sAve'ye
just got settled IN { our iii home u,la he CON
tinued. ".and your mothers no mover.
Abhkt shall live In lpaaeeI what little
time there's left to him."
Il And at evening the crowds were
i gone; the deeofatedgrave were glow
ing, unseen by mortal eyes, in theaiy
ing splendors Of the setting sun. III.
nigb4 came lona Ths hats and flower.
held their :brlghtnest al long as thert
was hsrpy ofllgM. Arb then Mt la
the StSFs lh tAeiE archKhg vault 80.
blackness shcne Down upon wcri,
Of shadowy, colorless shapes. 1t VA
! night I'm g steg sor,ouk ad,slHpt i,
lpeace. -