Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-06-04

IN the exercises, eaCh CnllO COHtTlDuI-
ing flowers to the general supply, and
those who mad good voices singing
patriotic songs when the old soldiers
gathered around the graves of their
comrades at the cemetery. Kitty had
always made a liberal donation to the
flower fund. She had her own little
garden, in which she planted violets
and pansies and mignonette. These
were ner favorite flowers, and she
tended them with great care. for
Grandfather Percival had told her so
many interesting stories of his old
comrades that she felt well acquainted
with the brave band that lay so quiet
ly sleeping in the quaint burying
ground on the edge of the Village.
When Grandfather Percival himself
passed quietly away and was laid to
rest under the murmuring cedars be-
side Grandma Percival, Kitty was
quite alone in the world save for Aunt
Winifred, who, when the housekeeper
was dismissed and the sale of house
hold effects over. had brought her
home to live in Roseville.
Roseville was very different from
Wynnchester. 1t was located near Chi
cago and settled largely by foreigners
who had come into this country since
the civil war. On most Of these people
even the Spanish-American war had
made little impression Their inter-
est was mostly in money getting.
Early in the spring Kitty asked Aunt
Winifred to let her have a plot in the
garden for her very own Her aunt
was much pleased.
cit shows that she's sensible little
thing" was her comment. cold people
so often spoil child. I'm glad to see
that Kitty is industrious" Kitty dug
up ner tiny plot and went over it me-
thodically with rake. Then she d.
vided it so that she could have tiny
bed for each of the different kinds Of
flowers She planted sweet alyssum,
mignonette, violets, pansies, bluets
and primroses at first. When Aunt
Winifred saw how carefully she tended
these, she gave her some slips from
her seraniums. begonias and verbenas.
"Thank you" Kitty mad said. 81
always like to have lots of flowers to
give to the soldiers on Memorial day."
"Give to the soldiers! Oh, yes:
suppose Grandfather Percival made
great time over Memorial day. You
needn't trouble about It.. They don't
celebrate it in Roseville."
ttNot celebrate Memorial day." Kit
ty stood aghast. She could not have
been more shocked had Aunt Winifred
told her that they did not observe Sun
day.
"Aren't there any soldiers in Rose
ville?" the little girl inquired.
mo. not that know Of, child"
"And mono out in the cemetery on
tile hill I think there must be. Aunt
Winifred." Kitty went on anxiously
Aunt Winifred thought good while
before she answered Kitty's last ques-
ton. She was thinking hard.
well, yes, now that turn it over
in my mind, there are some several
out there in the burying ground. The
only one can recall. however, is
Stephen Pring. I've heard he went
out in '61 and was wounded in the
battle Of Shiloh. They sent him home
and he died here. They say his father
has never been the same since"
Kitty fingered in the grocery store
that afternoon, where Mr.. Pring was
idling over his account book.
please, SIR" Kitty ventured, may
/ 1 speak to your" The old man glanc-
ed down at her in surprise. He had a
sad, quiet face. but was still strong and
vigorous in spite Of his many years.
His eyes softened as they rested on
the timid little figure with the mar.
keting basket. 1t was tiny one
which Aunt Winifred had bought es
pecially for Kitty.
Certainly. my DEAR he answered
kindly what can l do for a little
girl like you?"
i The people who were in the store
were all too much engaged with their
own business to notice what was go
ing on, and Kitty raised her voice
bravely.
please, sir, I'm going to- celebrate
Memorial day, and I thought perhaps
you could tell me where to find the
soldiers. We always celebrate al
Grandfather Percival's, and thought
, as your son was soldier you would
, know all about the other ones"
Old Mr. Pring leaned down over the
top of his tall old fashioned desk ant
studied her face curiously.
Didn't any one tell you that the,
don't celebrate Memorial day here an!
2 more? Yes, they used to, but ths
there to the hill-my boy first of an,
of them. my poor Stephen, the fowel
> of the fock!'
Kitty was frightened when she saw
the rapt, sorrowful light and sprans
into the old mans eyes, but his voice
was very gentle as he turned and lift
ed her to seat on top of sugar bar
rel
"Now, child, go on-tell me al
about it. The G. A. R. corps over a
Blakesburg is not able to come owe
here, and for years I've gone out alon
to put flowers on my Stephens grave
This year you and will celebrate tc
gether."
That Is how it begun. Before Me
mortal day comes around Kitty's littl
story had become known to many goo
people in Roseville. Her Sunda
school teacher trained some oil tn
girls to sing patriotic songs. the minis
ter offered to help with a speech
and the Young men who belonged