The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-07-03

why Fred had not taken time to light the
hall lamp. In a little while she was
standing on a chair gently lifting a large
flat 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 some 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, it
began to simulate the pail of some
what elongated bier to Mrs. Lowrys
annoyed and saddened spirit 1t was
but the work of a second to spread it
out on the floor. Then the old lady sat
down to wait for her grandson's coming.
She noticed the noise of 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 it seemed to rest
listlessly, she saw the man was not
young and a stranger.
We'll mother" Fred always address
ed his grandmother thus, 1.-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 amicabe footing.
Mrs. Lowry's face frightened as
though some soft light had been thrown
across it. Her eyes wandered affection
ately 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 a
willing life to his country, it is the least
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
nervousy and said with excitement in
her broken voice: Il never intended to
ask. 1t seemed like mockery to claim
reward"
II told Mr.. Mccoy" the boy broke in,
that it would be hard to make you be-
lieve n pension was not bonus put on
patriotism.
Mr.. Mccoy slowly unbuttoned his coat
and took a 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
| tho hack nav tbaro would ha No paoaccitxy
for parting with the flag. Fred could
have his vacation. She looked across at
the boy. She thought of how bravely
he had worked his way through college,
never taking more than a weeks holiday
through the Icing 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
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 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 II just above
the alcOve."
S It's very kind" Mrs. Lowry said
quickly, "to take so much trouble.
$ think l would like to have you enter my
S name in the widows list. And I'll ask
! my friends to be witnesses-and the
dear old flag," she said under her breath,
I kneeling down to smooth out a wrinkle,
a an never sell you, never; but I'll lend
you every year for the Fourth of Jul5
e exercises."-Olive Benton La San Fran
2 cisco Chronicle.