The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-05-30

Claiborne glanced at his shoulders
where two silver bars adorned each
strap. That day on the blazing Tien-
Tsin field he had won his spurs, the
chevrons disappeared and he became
Lieutenant Claiborne, his gallant act
being mentioned even in the dispatches
which General Durward, the British
commander, forwarded to his govern
ment.
And yet today as he sat beneath the
hau tree gazing at the suffers amidst
the breezy chitchat over the teacups,
he thought of that longago day when
he and his father had parted in anger.
A soldier saluted and reminded him
that the Memorial Day parade was
about to start. Joining his detachment
Just landed from the big army trans
port moored at the wharf. Claiborne
found column of soldiery and citizens
marshaled for the procession. In the
van was the white uniformed Royal Ha-
waiian Band, and stalwart mounted
police, then cadets, infantrymen from
the forts about the city, cavalrymen
from the troopship, bluejackets and
marines from the warships at the Naval
wharf, national guardsmen, and in a
large wagonette a group of gray haired,
gray bearded, SLOUGH hated veterans of
the Civil War, each with his priced
Gand Army of the Republic medal upon
his breast, and cluster of roses in
his hand. In other carriages were the
Governor, general officer of the army,
a observation-disclosures staff, a navy
captain, distinguished jurists of bar
and bench, the orator of the day and
the white froeked miss who was to
read the Gettysburg epic.
1t was an old story of parades to
him, and on reaching the cemetery af
ter long march through streets firing
ed with people and bordered with Poin-
ciana trees laden with their glorious
fire blossoms, cocoanut palms, the bread
fruit tree and masses of roses and
flowers of tropical origin, Claiborne and
his detachment found themselves in a
corner. Upon distant knoll mass of
spectators had gathered and above, a
huge silken Stars and Stripes at half
mast hung from the towering mast.
The semblance of hollow square could
be made out in the midst of this gath
ering. Dirge-like music was waited to
his ear on trade winds blowing down
the valley from across the heights of
TantaIus peak. Now and then the
orator s voice could be heard.
An aide inquired for Captain Clai-
borne, and grasped the officer s hand
when he had found him. There was to
be a ceremony, he explained in the
midst of the throng on the knoll. The
monument over the mound of a famous
general s grave was about to be dedi-
Gated, and the ceremony of the "cross-
ing of swords - was to be a eonspicu-
Gus feature. Captain Claiborne s name
was upon the order of exercises; yes,
there it was, Captain Claiborne, the
Hero of Tien-Tsin. As a soldier Clai-
borne was obedient to the call
He passed through lines of graves
and lanes of hedge. The crowd gave
way before the aide and the cavalry
officer, closely scanning the face of the
soldier whose fame was worldwide.
Claiborne was dimly conscious of
emerging from the press of humanity
into an open and of observing a de-
tachment of khaki clad soldiers stand
ing at attention in the center; of be-
ing assigned to position at one side
of beautiful shaft of marble. He
felt that the eyes of the multitude were
concentrated upon him. He was not
yet aware even in whose honor he had
been summoned to draw saber in the
pretty, old fashioned and almost obso-
lete ceremony of 'sword-crossing." He
| was conscious that another officer stood
| on the opposite side of the shaft
Squad ready, aim, fire!' Three
| soul-chilling volleys rang out upon the
| air. Smoke enveloped the little group
as an order-'ECross swordsi' came
from somewhere. Quickly drawing his
| flashing saber and raising it, he felt the
! blade meet other steel. Then his eyes
were raised to those of the officer op-
posite-
| "Jack!''
| "Father!''
/ Il