Los Angeles herald., 1909-05-30
BERRY AND CHERRY
ON DECORATION DAY

Berry had a Sllgnt FEVER the HlSHL pe-
fore, so that mamma decided it would
be better for them to both remain at
home with the maid.
Berry and Cherry felt a little sad to
see mamma, papa and grandpa drive
away without them, but they took 1t
philosophically for such little tots and
were soon enjoying themselves i'm
mensely swinging on the carriage yard
gate or hanging to it when some one
passed on their way to the nearest
village.
80, Berry Dimple, here comes ever
and ever so many Grand Army men,
shouted Cherry, as she climbed as near
to the top of the gate as she could to
look over, her little fat, pudgy brother
right beside her.
"Hur-wai hur-wa" shouted they as
the men passed, little Cherry throwing
kisses at them, which many a gray
beard returned from the lips of his
fingers.
But something seemed the matter
with the last men in the ranks. One
very old man was pleading with two
who were with him to go on without
him, and he would just sit down and
rest until they returned when he would
rejoin them.
After awhile he prevailed and they
went on and left him sitting down I'M
der a big shady tree, but the children
noticed that no sooner than the men
were out of sight the old man
lay fiat down and groaned as if in PAIN
Berry, taking Cherry's hand. the chill
dren ran to the tree and knelt down,
one upon each side of the old man.
HAS you got very bad PAIN"
asked Cherry, taking one of his hands
in hers
You'd better go up to the house
with us 1t is right close by" said
Berry.
Yes, Yves got a couch there and you
can rest" said Cherry
TITS real nice and cool at our house."
said Berry.
"I think I WILL" said the old man,
struggling to his feet and taking each
one by the hand. he walked between
them very feebly.
1--WE likes Grand Army men, don't
we, Berry," said Cherry.
Eyes, cause maybe we wouldn't had
any United States if 1t hadn't been for
them" said Berry.
God bless the children!" exclaimed
hands tightly in his.
"You amt afraid to go home with US
cause we's got the smallpox, is you?"
asked Berry.
The old man looked at them queerly,
when Cherry relieved him greatly by
saying: mo, the chicken pox, you
mean, Berry Dimple. We catched it off
the chickens, l guess. had it first and
have only got two little scars, which
look as if the chickens picked me,
mamma says. I am glad Use had 'em.
Amt half so bad as the measles Me
and Berrys both had them"
Then the old soldier laughed in spite
of himself, but he no soo-cr entered the
house and saw couch than be dropped
right down on it just as If every bit of
his strength was gone.
Cherry ran upstairs and brought
down a nice soft white pillow to put
under his head, while Berry ran out
into the kitchen for glass of water.
Cherry poured some of the water on
her little pocket handkerchief and very
gently laved his face with cold water,
while Berry stood by and famed him.
The man was soon asleep and then the
little ones ran out to their play
At noon they went into the house
loaded down with flowers, and very
gently they strewed them all around
and all over the sleeping man, and
then Cherry screamed out so loudly,
ooh, isn't he bu-full?" that she woke
the man up, and he sat up on the couch
staring at them.
"Does YOU feel a little bettah?" asked