Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-24
JOHN OR JOSEIUA?-A DECORATION DAY UNWILLING

they give ms a monument for our lot. or
headstones or something?" Then the SER
geant retired precipitately and was heard
chuckling down the corridor
On Decoration day the old soldiers,
some riding, some walking. went In
body to that part of the cemetery which
had been assigned TO the home. and nero
they decorated the graves OF their faliel
comrades with flowers. They marcned
along the narrow paths In proud nle with
howery banners and strange forSettul-
ness of that triumphant enemy who had
met and overcome many comrade, ana
was waiting but too short day TO con-
quer them all. Today Sergt. John Brown.
near the head of the first column moved
along in an excited. irregular way that
aroused the ire Of the next soldier.
Can YOU keep in step?' he demanded.
wrathfully; then he looked w and was
silent.
They had lust come around a cluster OF
trees TO the central knoll of the cemetery
where. near the TOP. rested the body OF
Joshua Brown. But there. where had
once been only smooth green mound.
was seen rising from the swell. noble
shaft of granite throwing its graceful
height W. 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 adj
miration and satisfaction. They broke
ranks and moved forward to examine this
gift more closely. and many an old SOL
dier's weak eyes were wet with tears.
The monument cast a glamour over this
inevitable resting place.
But the sergeant did not move any
nearer; he remained in his place and
heard the EXPLANATIONS of delight and adj
miration on all sides. He stood with
Slinched 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 waveringy at the white
against the blue and thought Of Mary:
he looked at the handsome base and re-
membered Josh. Then he noted. that
somebody was speaking; 1t was the SUI
perintendent, and he stood beside the
monument. The men had fdlieh Dack anu
were listening.
..Fellow comrades the sergeant heard
each word-"This monument has upon IT'S
ba se Erected to the memory OF the SOL
diers Of the Blankyille Soldiers home ny
their trne friend and comrade. joshua
prouyn who lies beneath this some l
think | should mention that this monu-
n1ent was selected and arranged Tor py
Ser-t. John Brown. who | Wish .Wouio
plea Sc step forward -.
and he came up the knoll. walking slowly
and in a dazed way The suoerintendenS
reached out and shook his hand.
1--WE owe ii to him that tins is mere TO-
day 70 honor all you men. 1t Is what VIC
have long needed and we cannot be CRATE
full enough.
Then the men broke out into cheers.
,,nsubdued and hearty, and somebody
from the ranks behind handed the SER
eeant a big bouquet. He shipped away
from the superintendent's OBTAINING clasp
and came trembling back 70 his place
But in those cheers the sound or the
melodeon was drowned. the real bouquet
in his hand put to shame Soohronia s
wax flowers and the breath of near ad-
miration 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 lcng line
of gray days which perhaps stretched be-
fore him that shaft would ever shine
like ray of Gods own light.