Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-20

me up there" He waved his hand toward the far
hills and wheezed I'm little shy on wind these
from my club. All right though, when | rest
awhile
The noise of the departing trains drowned their
voices for a moment, and then Tom hurried away
to find the captain of the little steamer. Bobby
joined him a moment later, leaving Billy seated on
a truck and still hugging his ancient weapon The
Captain amenable He lent them stout chair
and rented them sturdy roustabouts to act as
bearers, who dashed poles beneath and ready
before the steamer had disappeared from sight.
They loaded Billy into it and started off along the
towpath, which now half overgrown with grass.
They passed an old tavern station whose sides
gray and weather beaten whose windows were
boarded up and whose landing wharf was now but
rotting logs and piles Their own landing gone;
but they found the path of their own making, al
though cluttered with fallen limbs and
hanging branches, and turned into it. Bobby in the
lead, Billy and his carriers in the middle and Tom
behind.
You'll drive every bone through the fat of me-!
Billy groaned at intervals when the roustabouts
stopped to rest. Hey there, Bobby, don't go
FAST Tom. come UP here where can see you aren't
laughing at Looks like a broken down circus
parade, doesn't it?
their own efforts to converse They painted as they
walked, and halted frequently. They perspired
and wiped their foreheads, though the fall air was
crisp. They glad when the glade and the club
house were sighted and surprised that the smoke
curled from the great stone chimney
Sent my man up fro from the city, week ago to
toward the closed door. Things aren't like they
used to be.
They dismissed their bearers and stood outside,
each waiting for the other to enter and then like
men facing memories, opened the door and went in.
The cobwebs had been swept from the walls before
they came, ari everything appeared the same. The
logs cracking though they were those
thrown on many years past The only Earring note
the respectful modern servant who bowed
they entered and dropped into the first seats. None
of them spoke Seemingly none of them cared to
for quite time. The dusk approaching, and
the man preparing the dinner lighted the big old
swinging lamp above the long table.
nodded
And Eph hung it on that peg before he went
away to the war; Bobby added He looked at it
for a few moments and then said more quietly,
g Died in my arms at Charlottesville
The man began to lay the table for three. Billy
turned on him.
Thirteen plates!' he ordered. There's thirteen
of us here tonight
The servants jaw dropped, and then with non
pussed shake of his head he obeyed, while Tom and
Bobby sat without looking up. They took their
accustomed places. Billy at the head, Tom at the
foot and Bobby halfway down the side. They ate
without words until the last course served when
Billy rose to his feet
COME of his oldtime grace appeared to return
- of the lines to disappear from his face,
leaving the mouth sensitive and mobiles of
the light of youth to fame in his grave eyes.
Gentlemen of The Thirteen Club he said,
lifting his fagon of ale on high, Il toast you" He
named Inem one Dv one DIS Tie were SUN lIeIe
He stared at each in and gravely inclined
his head. His voice infinitely pathetic and
gentle
Some of vou" he went on are but memories,
and We still encountered by flesh, find it difficult
to discern you; but I'm sure you are there. I'm
sure if you could rend the barrier you would laugh
and sing as you have laughed and sung when you
and we were young. You three from the South
and he again bowed reverently of the chairs,
died CALAMITY for your faith, just you other
gentlemen" and he pointed at two other chairs,
Sqave LID vour lives defending Your beliefs You