The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-05-29

but they did not care for his coldly
polished phrases. and they sought the
Quieter parts where already the tiny
flags marked the resting places OF the
hero dead
Pop" Gleason was one of those who
slipped away, and with tear-dimmed
eyes wandered down the green aisles.
He did not mark where he was going,
he simply wanted to get away. Perhaps
he would be among those who were alb
sent next year. Would Dick come and
lay flowers on his grave? He wondered
IL Dick were here. Some one Mad told
him that the boy had Joined the nation
al guard.
Hello" Pop" started and looked
down. The little veteran who had headed
the Poston boys was sitting on horse
block and cycling him curiously.
You tired. too +" continued the boy.
Il was tired, SO I came away to sit
down."
Pop seated himself on the cold
stone and drew the little fellow on his
knee.
Yes. I'm tired, too" he agreed. ''The
old mans getting feeble, laddie. / can
remember the time when I'd march all
day and then fight all night If had TO-
] was with Sherman on his way to the
sea. / guess you never heard tell on
that, did yer?"
My grandpa, he was with 'em, too,
said the boy proudly.
What was your grandpa's manner" he
demanded TREMENDOUSLY.
Thomas Sidney Luck" said the boy
promptly. Pops" head dropped. For
a moment, he had hoped that this might
be his own little grandson, this soldier
ly little lad.
My mamma says that my grandpa
was the greatest man that ever was"
continued the youngster. HE killed
millions and millions of men and he
wore a sword just like mine and when
he said Fire! all the other soldiers shot
off their guns and then the enemy ran
away and grandpa chased em. He was
awfully brave, but he can't run now"
he added inconsequentially
There's lots of us who fought then
who can't run now" said Pop" sadly.
I'VE didn't run then" he added. "Un-
less 1t was after the enemy
II know" agreed the boy. "My
grandpa would have died sooner, he
said so. I'm sorry for boys what amt
got soldiers grandpas. There's Izzy
1saacs. His pa runs a clothing store
and he didn't ever know there was
war until he came to school,"
TITS a fine thing" declared Pop"
"A thing to remember with pride. my
boy. Never forget that your grand
father was a soldier. And never let
him be ashamed of you"
"Fatherv Pop" stiffened suddenly.
His son lowered above them IT was
looking for Tommy Luck" went on
Dick. THE exercises are over and the
post wants it's little mascot. Poor little
chap, 1 guess he's tired out"
Dog tired, but too much a soldier to
admit it." said the old man. Hes game,
Dick. I wisht I had little grandson
like that"
he reminded. 1--WE called him after you
SIR"
Il know" said Pop" YEARLY" 81
was an old fool, my boy. I am sorry
now. The words of my old commander
sank in and came away to think 1t
over. I'm not long for here, Dick. If
you can forgive an old man I'll try to
make up to you all these years. Sit
ting here with this little soldier lad has
done me a heap of good. I want little
George to know me, and be as proud
of me as Tommy is of his grandpa.
Why, old Tom Luck was only my SER
geant. but the lad here says he killed
millions and millions. l want my little
grandson to feel as proud of me, though
1 don't know that i ever killed that
many men,"
He rose uncertainty to his feet and
with his sons arm through his tread
ed the crowds that thronged the City
of the Dead where had been born again
the father-love that is stronger than
hate and hurt pride, and Pop" Gleason,
with his own little grandson upon his
knee, laid his head against the soft
yellow curls as he retold the story of
the march to the sea, while the boys
parents looked with plying eyes upon |
those who mourned their soldier dead
and rejoiced that their own hero VINO |
had been dead to them was alive
again.