The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-05-30

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hand clutc,ing the rail Of his box.
but no one noted him, Every being
in that crowd was alone in his own
feeling. ~.
R-r-r-r-r-rAruh-ruh A great black
cloud covered the land. The noun
tains were lost in It; cities and towns
we're seen through II dimly. Lower II
sank until 1t Swallowed everything.
Fire flashes shot through It and thun-
der growled. The rush Of wailfng
voices was heard, and the cloud re-
treated a little. showing men IN
swarms. hurrying here and there.
They massed together and struggled
for victory, the cannon booming In
deep sub-bass to their hoarse shouts.
Armies formed and scattered again.
They were over the land like ants.
R-r-r-r-r-r-rat-tat! Out OF the con-
fusion swung compact thousands.
They plunged into the receding dark
ness. cheering as they went. They
fought; God. how they fought! Every
thing fell before their conquering adj
vance. Chains were loosened. Cities
and towns flared up in burning and
harvests withered, but on went the
army IN blue. swelling great song
for the flag that makes US ffee-on to
Atlanta-on and on. with the shadows
scurrying before ton to the gleam-
ing sea, with mighty shouts. the VIC
tors paen. the praise of liberty for
the suffering. of light for those who
had dwelt in darkness.
The drum ceased. The general drew
his hand across his eyes and saw-a
grizzled old man holding by the hand
a white-faced little boy. The people
were still. Sarah sat rigid, with a
red spot on each cheek.
When the cheering came there was
no stopping IT until long after old
Corcoran and Willie had marched
away. Judge Wilson and the general
conversed together In low tones, and
the judge beckoned Mr.. Smythe and
sent him on an errand. from which ne
returned in few minutes with some
negative answer. Jim Wilson was
called. and. after nodding his assent
to an instruction, mounted q bench
and looked searchingly through the
crowd. Sarah flushed when he
caught her eye. She flushed more
when he made his way over the
benches to her. the people watching
him expectantly.
Sarah" he said. "they can't find
your father or Willie. but the general
wants you. VIII you please come
with me-"
''Oh, i"
She choked a little, but got to her
feet and moved down through the
passage the people made for her
There was much clapping. The gen.
eral took her hand and told her that
she ought to be very proud. and he
hoped that Willie would grow up to
be brave and good man. like his
father.
Then the general made a little
speech. He told the people that they
had heard a humble instrument made
great by genius: that what they had
heard and felt when Corcoran played
for them was a message of pure pa
triotism from true heart; and when
he had finished he placed the prize
Of 500 in gold in the hands of Sarah.
AS Sarah slipped out of the fair
grounds and walked down the dusty
roadside had not waited to see the
sham battle, and Judge Wilson had
kindly helped her to escape noisy
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES heard a low
whistle from under the hedge. and
turned to see Willie's half-frightened
face looking up at her.
did they-did they" He stuck
on the question.
''They gave the prize to me for
him"
THE prize? One hundred dollars p"
Yes; here--but where is hep
Il don't know. He went away and
wouldn't answer me-
They trudged to the house together
and ate their supper alone.
Late that night old Corcoran was
helped home by three men. who took
him to his room with more gentleness
than usual. and laid him on his bed.
setting his drum on the floor beside
him.