The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-04-14
An 1mprovised Fuueral-Ex-Johnny's Ro-
nance and It's Observation-Disclosures Girls
Not SO 0bdurate to Yankees as Represented.

Neither Maria nor Annabel were used to
luxury or superabundance of the bright
and pretty things of life, but neither was
either Of them acquainted with poverty,
abject and revolving, such as was re-
veaied to them when they stopped to enter
the low. narrow doorway of the miserable
shack which a woman and five children
called by the sacred name "home."
The children crowded about the goods
box which seemed to be the only excuse
for table, and upon which the girls
soon spread out the remains Of the lunch.
Yet, hungC as the poor little starving
stalr-step' youngsters were, the tiniest
two, the oldest looking under seven, they
stood quietly by until the mother had put
into their hands the huge sandwiches Of
ham and ''soda" biscuits which Maria had
hurriedly fixed for them.
Your children are better behaved than
most" remarked Annabel, as she dealt out
to each of them generous slice of cake,
and some boiled eggs.
The poor mothers face colored, as she
remarked simply, 1--WE have not always
been as you see us now, and l have tried
to bring them up right" which made An
mabel feel that she had made a very bad
break. The girls could not get away from
the feeling that the people who had been
lighting their husbands were of very low
order of human beings, and when they met
Mrs. Morgan. the name of the mother,
they did not know just exactly where to
place her.
The physical wants of the Morgans
supplied, the girls turned their attention
to the matter in hand. which was the
burial of the baby. The tiny. form lay
upon low box in a corner of the little
room, and over it was folded an old pill
low slip, ragged, but spotlessy clean, as
was the clothing Of the children and the
mother, though patches had almost taken
the place of the original material.
ReverentIy, Maria lifted the cloth, and
the little waxen form was displayed. The
children had said it looked like a ''li'l
doll and it was true. The wee features
were composed, and the little hands like
rose leaves dropped from the rose, lay
STILL" laid over each other, and peace
seemed to hover over the spot.
Hes got her now, and that's a COM
holding the other sleeping twin, and looked
down at the baby that had gone away
from her. "He never saw them. He was
wounded at second Bull Run. and was
never real well afterward. He died six
months ago. We lost everything, nearly.
during the war"
1t was a simple tale, soon told, and no
comment was necessary. The fortunes of
war had brought Mrs. Morgan to her pres
ent position, and the fortunes of war and
delayed train had brought her succor. She
had accepted tho first because she must,
she accepted the hast because it was Of
fered her in whole-ltearted sympathy.
Maria gave the waiting men instruc-
tons to procure some kind of a coffin, and
then she and Annabel set about robing the
baby for its last long sleep. It was so
very small that one Of the wide sleeves
Of the soft muslin nightdress with its
dainty frills Of tcroeheted lace and lawn,
ID eli lab
form. Anna3eb sacrificed the gown with
out a pang. though she remembered with
tear-dimmed eyes how she had stitched,
and crociIeted, and shaped the garment in
those awful days when news from the.
front was infrequent, and she had to have
something to do to keep hands and mind
engaged, or she felt that she would go
mad. And now here she was at the front
herself. helping the wife Of man who
had shot at Union soldiers.
Was that the engine whistles" asked
Maria, suddenly, as the echoes went hurt
ling off toward the Bull Run Mountains?
"Oh, they surely will not go yet" cried
bury the baby"
"I'l call will and tell him that they
must hold the train," declared Maria, as
she swept out the door. Almost at the
threshold they met 81, Will. the Adjutant
and several other soldiers who had come
made. Will carried the little coffin. Ii
was Of mahogany, simply the long narrow
drawer from an old Colonial sdeboard
which they had found in the little store
close by.
"The Postmaster said that he had bee,
keepin' the mail in il, but that he could
use something else if the drawer would
do ms any good" explained Will.
How long will we stay bere?" asked
Maria.
I'VE ought to pull out in few minutes
now" replied the Adjutant, then seeing
tho look of CONSERVATION on Maria's face.
ado i hastily, Il can hold the train
here longer, if you want l thought you
would like to get away. this must be hor
riby sad work for YOU"
ut isl replied Maria. 81 never had
such an experience in all my life but if
We were to run away from other peoples
troubles who is going to help us when our
tears alone, unless we want to live unloved
lives. We must stay long enough to bury
Mrs. Morgan's baby, anyhow. We can do
that, can't we AdjntantT
1--WE can," replied the Adjutant gal
lantly, land just as much longer as you
say" and Maria went back, comforted.
Say, you two cubs" he said, address
ing himself to 81 and Shorty as they stood
around waiting further orders from the
two imperi0us young women, you've got
two of the finest women for wives that
know Of"
That's what we have. replied the
two cubs in unison.
"And they are blamed sight too good
for you," added the Adjutant, whereat
there was q general grin.
Annabel appeared at the door with the
fine damask tablecloth which the Adm
tant had provided for the lunch. Can
we use this to cover the coffin" she asked
pleadingly, as she held it up.
Sure" was tho. prompt answer from
And then and there all hands worked to-
gether to fashion the little white nest for
the baby. 1t Vas soon done, then with
reverent hands It was placed on the big
goodsbox, and the tiny form, az pure and
fragile as Iily1in' the pretty robe which
Maria had fashioned for it, was lifted and
placed in the narrow bed. The awe
stricken children looked at ''li'l sisser' and
talked in whispers of how pretty she was,
and the two-yearloH was indignant that
she could not haze the doll" to play with.
Bent rails and rusty, twisted irons were
gathered up to make a strong but gro
tesque inclosure, around the tiny grave.
Il reckon can have her taken up some
day." remarked the unweeping mother"
and put beside Him. But it does Mt make a
oreat doal IF diHfarHnpa narhana Hoe rot