The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24

precipitately and was heard chuckling 1 down the corridor.
 | On Decoration Day the old soldiers, some riding. some walking. went in a body to 1 that part of the cemetery which had been assigned to the home, and there they deco rated the graves of their fallen comrades with flowers They marched along the ! narrow paths In proud file with fiowery banners and a strange fortgetfulness of that triumphant enemy who had met and overcome many comrade. and was wait ing but too short day to conquer them all. Today Sergeant John Brown, near the head of the first column, moved along in an excited. irregular way, that aroused the ire of the next soldier.
 Cant you keep in step?" he demanded wrathfully; then he looked up and was silent.
 They had just come around cluster of trees to the central knoll of the ceme- tery where. near the top. rested the body of Joshua Brown. But there, where had once been only a smooth green mound was seen, rising from the swell a noble shaft of granite, throwing it's graceful height up into the soft air. The men in front stopped. stared and moved on, pressed by those behind Then, suddenly, despite the memories of the day, cheer arose that died away in murmurs of ad- miraton and satisfaction. They broke ranks and moved forward to examine this gift more closely, and many an old sol der's weak eyes were wet with tears. The monument cast glamour over this inevitable resting place.
 But the sergeant did not move any nearer; he remained in his place and heard the exclamations of delight and admiration on all sides. He stood with clinched hands and set face struggling to forget that vision of Sophronia that came this moment before his eyes He turned his gaze to the topmost point of the shaft and smiled waverngly at the white against the blue and thought of Mary; he looked at the handsome base and remembered Josh. Then he noted that somebody was speaking; it was the superintendent, and he stood beside the monument The men had fallen back and were listening.
 Fellow Comrades"-the sergeant heard each word-"This monument has upon it's base Erected to the Memory of the Sol- diers of the Blankvile Soldiers Home by Their True Friend and Comrade. Joshua Brown, Who Lies Beneath This Stone I think should mention that this monument was selected and arranged for by Sergeant John Brown, who I wish would please step forward
 They pushed the sergeant to the front. and he came up tne knoll walking slow ly and in d dazeo way. The superin- tendent reached cut and shook his hand.
 we owe Il to him that this is here to- day to honor all you men. It is what we have long needed and we cannot be grate- full enough"
 Then the men broke out into cheers, un- subdued and hearty, and somebody from the ranks behind handed the sergeant a big bouquet. He slipped away from the superintendent's detaining clasp and came trembling back to his place. But in those cheers the sound of the melodeon was drowned the real bouquet in his hand put to shame Sophronias wax flow CTS and the breath of near admiration was sweeter than the far off western air.
 As the sergeant stood there listening to his and Josh's praises on all sides he lifted his eyes once more to that white column, and felt that down the long line of gray days which perhaps stretched be- fore him that shaft would ever shine like ray of Gods own light.
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