Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-25
a TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.
BIZ MARY BOYLE.

Rob Conway had never thought much
about Decoration day until all the soldiers
came home from Cuba. OF course 1t had
always been jolly day for him. but GER
tainiy he never bothered much about the
nameless heroes who at various times had
given up their lives for their country. Now.
however all was different. Although only
seven when the Spanish-American war was
declared. he had lived through some STIR
ring moments and many a time he had
steaHhily sobbed himself to sleep because
he was too young to join the army. His
father was colonel Of a crack regiment. and
had been early ordered to the front; his
two big brothers and several cousins ana
uncIes had marched away to glory, and
poor>R Rob was left behind. the only male In
q family Of many men. and he felt 1t very
keenly. But he made the best of it-there
was not battle during the war that he did
not fight over again in the Conways back
yard, He even drilled a company himself.
composed Of the three Burton children next
door, and was. in truth. SO well up In mill
tary tactics that possibly he might have
been able to give points to his father. But
when the war was over and Decoration day
came round. Rob found new meaning In the
flags and flowers. but then he was two
years older and wiser.
burnt regiment. which had met with great
good fortune during the many engagements.
and for hours Rob would sit on his knee,
while the colonel fought his battles over
and over for the small boy.
The death of Jim was. perhaps. the only
cross upon their good luck. Jim was the
goat the mascot Of the regiment. ana nad
received his wound while marching bravely
beside a private In the ranks. They would
have brought him home. had It been posi-
BILE. AS this could not be, Col Conway put
up a wooden tablet in the back YARD prais-
ing his virtues, and when Decoration day
some tribute should be paid to his memory.
It was beautiful day. and Rob, In full
rig went over to the Burtons to consult.
Half an hour later, at the head of his COM
high-pitched chorus of my Country. It's
of Thee" OF course It was only proper to
march for q long time, as all soldiers did on
Decoration day, with mufled drums and
reversed gums. Sometimes there would pc
a halt. and Rob would make patriotic
speech and there would be more singing
and patriotic cheers. Then the soldiers
broke ranks and busied themselves In
twining evergreens around poor Jim's tab
let, 10 ,...
sWait a minute" said Rob. 'most every
body makes verses over the dead soldiers,
and we must nail verse upon Jim's grave
stone. Who has a pencil?
stumpy object was produced. and rum
maging in his own pocket. Rob brought
forth q bit of brown paper. After much
labored breathing. during which the end OF
the pencil was nearly cheWed up, Rod reao
to his admirers the following burst OF elo-
quence:
Jim was brave,
In Cuban grave they buried him.
Alas, alas, poor Jim. poor Jim!
They wound UP these touching words with
'aThe Star Spangled Banner. ana with
great ceremony they planted a flag at half
mast close beside the tablet. Then they
prepared for the salute.
"Now, my men," said Rob, as they drew
I'D in line. Ready
Each soldier produced a toy pistol and a
box of caps.
"Aimr' commanded the captain.
The little pistols clicked in unison.
"Ftre!
"Bang, bang, bangr' went the pistols to
the astonishment and indignation OF a
family Of robins in the tree top. Then the
regiment faced about to the tune OF Co
lumbia" and marched to the back veranda.
where in solemn state they partook OF
lemonade and sponge cake In honor OF the
occasion.