The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-20


 with flowers of May: By her gentle art, beguiiing, she has drawn us, close and fast, And linked our years with story. in Echoes of the Past: Her tender gentle mem'ries, like q palimpsest divine, Hath hid the cruel carnage--with love our hearts entwinel Tis not to cherish malice. that she keeps alive the fire or war. but of Our Heroes. that fought, she would inspire A patriotism glowing within the breast of each. Loysss Southern Daughter-a loving lesson teach:- A newborn glorious splendor. reful- gent with light, is shed. On the battle field SO grey, where fell Our Confederate Dead. z Here's to Our Dear cornelia, who ri- vals. with jewels rare, That famous Roman Mother of the Gracchi-strong and fair! With your fifty thousand Daughters so faithful. loyal, true, To their Mother-Sweet Cornelial-we drink toast to you! precious Stone. with e setting of pear1s- Long may you live. with your halo of girlsl
 Virginia c. Clay May IS, 1908.
 To Mrs. Cornelia Branch Stone. the verses above were presented and read by the Editor of The Democrat. while she sat in the carriage in front of The Democrat onice. en route to the sta ton to take the train for Jackson. Tenn, on May 18th. By request 1t was again given at the reception held at Oaklawn, the suburban home of Mrs. A w. Newton. Mrs. Stone sent the following graceful acknowledgment by return mail:- Miss Virginia Clay Huntsiviile.- The beautiful words of your toast heart in all the days to come-for these are part of yourself-and are trea- sured far more than I can say, tho, fear, undeserved. Please send me The Democrats account of the Con- vention to 1921 Ave. E. Galveston. Texas.
 The following fragment of the beau titul poem by Virginia French is given in the hope that some one will send In the complete poem.
 The old Coat of Gray. By 'Blondine.' (Mrs L. Virginia French)
 l. It Hes alone: It Is rusty and faded. With a patch on the elbow, a hole
 in the side. But we think of the brave boy who
 wore 1t. and ever
 Look on 1t with pleasure. and touch 1t with pride. A history clings to it; over and over We see proud youth hurried of to
 the fray. With his form like the oak and his eye like the eagles How gallant he rode in the ranks of
 "the Gray!" It is rough. 1t is worn. it is tAttered Yet love it the more. for the story
 1t bears A story of courage in struggle with
 sorrows
 And a heart that bore bravely its
 burden of cares It Is ragged. and rusty. but ahs 1t was
 shining
 In silkiest sheen when he wore 1t away.
 And his smile was as bright as tha
 glad summer morning. when ne sprang to his place in the
 ranks of the Gray"
 YII. There's rip in the sleeve. ana the col-
 lar Is tarnished-
 The buttons all gone, with their glitter and gold. ITS thing of the past. and we rev. rently lay 1t
 Away. with the treasures and relics of old. AS the gifts of a love. solemn. sweet and unspoken Are cherished as leaves of A long
 vanished day. We will keep the old jacket for sake of the loved one.
 Who rode In the van in the ranks of Shot through with bullet-right here
 in the shoulder.
 And down there the pocket is splinter
 ed and soiled. Oh! more-see the lining is stained ana
 discolored! Yes-blood drops the texture has
 stiffened and spoiled. It came when he rode at the head of
 the column.
 Charging down in the battle one
 deadliest day, When squadrons offoemen were broken asunder, And Victory rode with the ranks of
 "the Gray"
 
 mingled.
 To me 1t is precious-more precious
 than gold In the rents and the shot holes a vol- tune is written.
 In the stains on the lining Is agony
 told. That was ten years ago, when in life's sunny morning.
 He rode with his comrades down into
 the fray; And the old coat he wore, and the good
 sword he yielded, l. Were all that same back from the
 ranks of "the Gray" The author says That was ten years ago-."Here we are. a lifetime away. but loving the Old Coat of Grey just as dearly as she did!
 The Gadsden chapter sends the fol. lowing interesting and valuable re. nimtsceuse of the Coming Rack ID Dixie" of the refugees who left homes to seek shelter from invading foes. or who went to Virginia to be near the loved ones in that heroic army of Lees.
 There are so many sorrowfuI mem. ories Of the war between the States. that I would but cannot forget. There are woeful experiences, but looline backward there were many ludicrous scenes too in those stormy troubled days. when was school girl of the early sixties But youth and health make sunny skies when one is "sWeet sixteen" am thankful I was a South ern girl. and lived in Dixie, and had a homespun dress. and Hove of a hat" made of shucks- As I remember. 1t was far more becomming than the