The Cairo bulletin., 1907-07-26
Her

SONNY CdlLe 10 STiHuiltneF tfAsit
holding an old-fashioned gold locket
In his hand "a loeket eurlously
dented By bullet.
Did it save your life, grand
father" he asked why have you
never told me about 1t before?"
Grandfather Dan took he locket
and turned it slowly over in LIS
trembling hand It belonged to
Dave, he said, ans then sat silently
gazing at the distant hills, Sonny,
too. was quiet, for Dave had bsen
grandfather's dearly loved brother
and comrade in arms. whom he
could never talk about without great
sorrow Dave had died in Dams
arms, shot in the very first skirmish
the young soldiers had entered.
Go to my stronghold" said
grandfather, at length, giving sonny
a Key. and bring 10 me the pack
age ia the lower left hand corner
sonny fastened to obey and returned
wlth tiny packet wrapped IN
biz OF bunting.
Tis Dawes secret. said gran l.
father. that am going to ten yoa
for the locket will belong 70 you
some day soon and you shall
Know about it,
When Dave Was shot as you
have often heard, ! beside hin,
caught him in my arms, and man
aged to drag him 70 sheier. az
though I. too vas hurt You
know all about H. except That have
never told YOU about Her Sonny
nodded. Dave was always a favor
ita. continued grandfather. and
when we were marching South. the
BOYS all used 10 tease him. but not
knowing just which one Of all the
girls we left behind was Dawes
sweetheart, We used to ask him
about Her just her not knowing
any name. We all had farewell
letters. but no one knew about
Dawes.
Wen. when Dave lay dyinl So
his voice broke for moment. but
be soon went on he smiled at ne.
in all his pain. and whispered, Her
picture Is in the loclet Take Il
home TO her, and tell her that |
always loved her" There was an
other silence, while grandfather
ga4ed at the loaket. Sonny dared
not Interrupt, but he handed the
lrtle package to grandfather, who
carefully opened H. In it were three
old yellow letters, scarcely legibie.
Read them. sonny" said grand
father. and Sonny read.
My Dear Dave. said tho first,
you should not have been SO wor-
ried about our parting. shall he
safe and well cared for while YOU
are gone 1t will be rather dull,
with so many of our young men
awoy. bat shall pay a visit 10 my
cousin in the city for diversion, and
I shall have a new gown to delight
you when YOU return to your very
loving Laura.
The second was shorter.
Dear David" II said, God be
With you-that is what good-by
rioans. / know that he viii pro-
tect YOU aud bring you safe home
again TO me My prayers are ever
with YOU Trustingly yours.
Emily"
There was another letter. not so
carefully written, incorrectly spelled.
and unsigned
Dear" said the third letter, the
love of a girl Ike Ee can never be
a blessing but. now that you are
going away. I will confess. love
yoa dearly. David. dearly and
want You to be happy. If | could
only make you so-but You have
money and education. and have
neither. Only a great love for you.
David"
Those were all the letters. Sonny
folded them carefully again and
wrapped them in the fag the fare
we'll letters of a soldier.
They tell 50 iia'e. and 50 much.
said grandfather Emily was tie
daughter of our pastor. sweet and
lovely girl. whom ercrgone honored
She died. unmarried. two years after
the war was over Laura was The
village coqueite-tte prettiesi, most /
saoinsting little lady imaginable .
bat she thought always OF herself. 4
Is even that Bit of a letter SHOWS I
Tho other was the saddest Of the 4
al poor country girl. TO whom I
David had been kind and courteous /
az he aiv ags was to ali- Indeed. h. /.
had shown M special attention TO /
an. one Of the three. And set. he 4
loved one Of them
which one7" asked sonny To I
witch one did the l0cket beionge"
--t 49, $50 - a.. "a. ,ur- MAD i