The Newtown bee., 1907-05-17

You think 1 need guardian. do ou?' said the old man little sharply.
 "No, net that, father," was the re- 'ly, but you know you are dreadfully ,areleSS of yourself.
 Well. Well!" said the old man, II lave managed to live through d pretty pig war and fairly long life and l am lere yet.'
 But it all came about as Chlorinda Ann had planned it. For when a woman makes up her mind to do a thing it takes more than one man to stop her The other house was rented and Chlorinda Ann and John came nome to look after father. Not that father needed looking after in the least. He was hale and hearty, did good days work, slept well nights, and had the good conscience which love to God and love to man always brings. Now Chlorinda Ann had managed her ohn with the greatest ease, for he was one or those quiet, easy-going sort of men who will take a lot of abuse and not strike back. But her father was not quite so tractable. When she would say: "Now father, don't go out to-day, it is too hot" the old man was qe 9haa aPi p to dowG esp onn saw hqtsef aays won't hurt me.'' Or if she insisted l that he should take an um mbrella when | there was a cloud in the sky, her father | would say; "Tut, tut, child, I have marched many an hour in the mud and l rain and it never hurt me.'' But as she stayed longer in the old home. For she saw that her ability to boss her old father was increasing, as "Uncle Seth" was man who loved quarrel with his daughter, much as he objected to being ordered around like child. But there was one thing that Chlorinda Ann could not break him from doing. Once month he hitched up the old pony and ambled off to town. And when upon his return Chlorinda Ann would ask him where he had been, his only answer was: II | have been to see the boys" It was his l monthly visit to his Post and to his comrades that took him away from home so regularly. But he did not l think it necessary to enlighten his daughter of the fact.
 ChlOrinda Ann had one fear. It was that her father might take it into his head to marry again. And many were the warnings which she sounded in his the cunning wiles of widows. It was
 the 3Oth of May, 19-, the nations
 Memorial day, when they honor their
 heroic dead. Not day for baseball
 and fun, but day for holy memories
 usually had been up early and had
 driven to the cemetery to crown with
 flowers the grave of his mess mate who
 had been shot and killed at the battle
 of Gettysburg. But this day he was
 not feeling very we'll. The damp
 ble and severe cold had been hanging on to him for two weeks. At the
 breakfast table Chlorinda Ann ad.
 dressed him in this fashion:
 "Now, father, you must stay at home
 to-day. l am going to have party
 next week and don't want you around
 sick on my hands. You are not feeling
 very we'll and you will be sure to get
 more cold if you go out. l think you
 "But daughter,'' said the old man,
 1T haven't missed celebrating Decora tion day since it began. I feel better
 this morning than I did yesterday"
 "Now Father Sampson, was the
 answer, "what is the use of talking.
 You will surely get sick if you go, and
 if you do who is going to care for you:
 cannot and will not so there!"
 ''Well,' said the old man testify, ssi1 you can't I'll find some one who will. '
 And as anger is like to beget anger,
 very uncomfortably warm.
 Father Sampson, if you chase of
 to that parade and speech-making I'll
 go straight home and stay there."
 ''GC If you want to. l am no baby,
 but your father. You are trying to OOoo AO SutOTluud AQQ, ana
 will not stand it thls time. See!'' and
 the old man stalked majestically into
 h1s room and slammed the door.
 At 10 o'clock the door opened again
 and out walked "Uncle Seth" in his Grand Army suit and corded hat, and going out to the barn he hitched up
 the pony and, after picking bouquet | for the grave of his cOmrade whose
 memory was dear, he drove off to town.
 Chlorinda Ann watched him with fool like an old fool, she muttered.
 'Father ought to be spanked. He has no more sense than baby" And then, forgetting all the threats she | had made about leaving the old home, she went back to her work
 As the old man drove on in his way to the country and the town memo r1es of former days filled his soul. He saw himself young man standing in the church with his bride and another young couple, Seth Buell. and his church wedding. He saw himself en- listing with Seth and recalled the parttngs that they had with their dear ones: He saw the picture of the ing as his life blood dripped away and heard him commend to God and to his comrade his wife and his two little boys. And then Seth remembered how the two little fellows had died in one week or scarlet lever and how he | and his wife had comforted Mrs Buell. l and had tried to care for her in her loneliness and in her poverty. For i Fred Buell. had never had the faculty | of saving and the little pension had been the only thing that stood be- | tween the widow and the poor house. | As he was thinking of all these things | Uncle Seth came to the fair Gods | Acre. Coming to the grave he saw a | woman standing there and recognized | her as the widow of his old friend. He noticed that she seemed poorly dressed | and S.nd,t had been crying. Reverently he knelt at the grave for moment and | breathed a silent prayer and then | rising he deposited his flowers and | said: "Mrs Buell., how are you to day? | It is quite while since I have seen you" '1 am not very strong" was the reply. "It has been long hard | winter and I have been very lonely and sad" "Yes, it is a lonely worId,H | said Uncle Seth. We both feel | the same way I expect. Life does not look just the | same as it did that day when you and | Fred and and my wife came out of | the church to start the journey of life | GOQefhQr l