Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-27

ion. which comically contrasted #ith the
rounded baby legs. showing below the tiny
SKIRT as the Haiti brought the entire
company To standstill. Perhaps they rec
ognized the generals emblem on Roberts
nat, perhaps the sight of the unusual fig
ufe TOOK them by surprise. The captain
Saluted his superior officer and said We
have ooeyed your orders. sir. What is your
next commando
i want yon TO decorate my grandpa's
grave. II isn't fair to treat him. so. He
Golathr'
Your grandpa's grave? Where is IL,
and who was he?' asked the captain more
interested than he would have confessed
My grandfather'S name was Col. Robert
Dale Carroll of Virginia. and his grave is
in our orchard over there" pointing to the
nodding trees in the distance
We are going to decorate his grave
young man. although We did not start out
with any such intention. 1t does not seem
fair, does it. just because he was not on the
side hlat won?'
All the men in the company were resi-
dents OF the town and knew the story OF
Bob Carroll. How he had married and set
tied in the south. and when the war broke
out had taken up arms against the north,
where his family for generations had been
the warmest OF patriots. They knew how.
when the father died some talk had gone
the rounds that his widow had brought his
body back to the old place. but somehow
the story had never for instant sug-
gested To them that they should include
him in their Decoration day honors. 1t re-
manned for his tiny grandson TO show them
their duty.
A brief consultation took place between
the captain and his lieutenants. At its
close the men were drawn up in double file.
and the captain took up his position. He
addressed Robert as follows:
Young man. your grandfather shall this
day receive our biggest flag and most
splendid wreath because he has had to
wait so long for us to so honor him. 1t re-
manned for baby to teach US what was
right
I'm not baby" protested Robert. I'm
five years old"
Il beg your pardon apoIogized the cap
tain, raising his hat before such venerable
old age. IF you will lead us TO your
grandfather's resting place will pay
him all the respect that should he given To
the bravest and best OF Americans
Proudly Robert took his position at the
head of the moving files. "Br-um, br-um.
went the drum. The captain signalcd and
the interrupted Red. White and Blue
changed into way Down South in Dixie.
Two by two. to the strains Of Dixie the
company made its way through the garden
to the spot where Col. Carroll lay. BY the
time they arrived grandma was there. ana
Chloe and Sambo, old black servants who
had served the colonel i'm his lifetime, rev
erently waited, not knowing what was go
ing TO happen.
The captain saluted grandma. and the
men surrounded the grassy mound. After
simple services the captain handed a large
flag to Robert and helped him to place it
securely at the head Then a splendid
wreath of red and white flowers was hand
ed grandma. who through binding tears
read the words My Country" formed by
blue immorteles. AS she, with her trem-
bling hands. placed this in position the sol
diers stood with heads uncovered until the
laundering voley had died away.
"Br-um. br-um. br-um, went the drums.
calling the soldiers back to their inter-
rupted duty. The double file was formed
for the second time. and Robert was placed
high up on the captains shoulder as he
headed the ranks on their outward march.
At the gate the captain put him down and
kissed him. saying. Goodbye. my superior
officer. goodbye l never expect to decorate
q other grave with much feeling as | did
your grandfat Their s. Robert was almost
sn.othered by the embraces of his grand
mother. who that the soldiers had
gone gave herself up to honest weeping.
Robert was Disguised. Tie walked Off. say
ing. grandma, I'm surprised at you.
thought soldiers wives were Drawer than
other folks. I'm surprised that big cap
tain. too. / thought brave men did not
cry, but when he put me down II | didn't
feel tears on my check my name isn't Rob
ert Dale Carroll
Brave people sometimes cry. laddie'
said grandma. You do yourself. and
grandma is sure that soldier in the
army is as brave her grandson. Robert
Dale Carroll. Why even the big captain
saluted and addressed you as My superior
officer and I don't believe he was very far
from wrong.