Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-05-29

| Stanton held many consultations re-
garding the fiagraising.
| what do you do in Plunkett on
| Memorial Day." she asked one morn
| ing, excitedly.
| do? Nothing at all" i.. ~
well, Wen do something this year,
| MIR. simpson," said the determined lit
| tie schoolmistress. Il can't at this
short notice clear the graveyard, get
up a procession and all that, but / can
| manage the children and the school
Ihouse." a.. .-.
! "What'n you dor he asked.
"Why, plenty of things! Wen fly
| our flag for the first time on Memorial
| Day. Wen invite the parents, the
school committee, the minister, IN fact'
the town. The children will sing.
And Wen have speeches-yes speech
es. Mr. Simpson. from Plunketts two
| noble benefactors.
| Mr.. simpson pooh-poohed the last
| idea: nevertheless she saw he was
pleased ...,....
| Arrangements were made for a cele-
| bration, and Mr.. Blodgett was asked
4 to make an address.
Il won't have anything to do with
| such tomfoolery." he said. Dave
simpsons made a big enough fool OF
me now"
| So Sammy was selected to speak a
piece in his grandfathers place. He
had very little oratorical gift. Miss
Stanton struggled with him faithfully
and diligently. Yet each time, after
| he slipped from her presence, he re-
appeared with the sing-song infection
and abominable emphasis that made
her blood run cold. She could not un-
destand these persistent relapses.
Sammy" she said in despair,
what shall do with you, if you will
not speak as I teach you to-
Sammy burst into tears. Il wisht
there wasn't ever any Memorial Day.
nor any flag, nor anything. l wiskt
| was dead-So there!"
| why, what's the matter, Sammy
Before I'm out of bed in the morn
ing, gran'pa he's after me to speak my
piece" sobbed the boy. and the
same every noon and after school at
night And he stands me up on rock
down in the back pasture where no
| body can see or hear, ana he goes Oft
| t. the other end, and | have to holler
| IL dl HlIi ANU 1 Nc CIV yum way, civ
| he says he'll lick me if l don't say it
his way. And between you botfl-boo-
hoo"
Here was revelation. Mr.. Blodgett.
for all OF his surly manner, had be
come interested in the celebration. 1t
lent a touch of pathos to what other
wise would have been ludricrous.
You poor dear" she said finally.
"You shall not be bothered any more
by me- Say it just as your grand
father wishes"
So the daily coaching in the back
pasture went on without interruption.
Sammy felt he was finding a place in
his grandfathers heart.
Mr.. Blodgett tried his utmost to keep
Dave Simpsons name or of his rem
iniscences. He fought against it all
the more because he was conscious of
strange and tender renewal of his OLD
friendship; but Dawes name crept in
to almost every tale.
SO it came about that one day he
Numbered on the story of that time
when Dave Simpson had saved his life
at the peril of his own. Then he fall
tered and lnally broke down. What
good friends they had been-he and
Dave. Either would have died for the
other as readily as for the dear old
flag. And now they were enemies.
He strove to become angry again.
Twas a mean thing for Dave to DO,
anyhow, to ketch me up So he was
growing, just when Sammy interrupt
ed with burst he had long repressed:
20 gran'pa. how 1 visit l could see you
dressed up as a solder!"
We'll, come along" he said. He led
the way to the cobwebbed garrett He
took from an old chest faded army
coat, soldiers cap, a knapSack and a
musket. He put on the battered blue,
placed the cap over his thin, gray locks,
adjusted the knapsack, shouldered the
muSket, and went down to the yard.
Now, indeed, thought of Dave Simp-
son crowded to the front. How proud
ly he and Dave had tramped away to-
gether in their army blue! Others
had gone with them. Who had return
ed? Only himself and Dave. How they
had cheered each other on the toilsome
marches.
Now, Sammy cried Blodgett,
trembling with awkward earnestness.
I'm show you how Dave and NE used
to
With a ringing cry Dave Simpson
lcaped the wall like boy.
Hold on, Billy, I'll drill ye.''
"Dave!"
attention.. Present arms
Bill Blodgett obeyed the old words of
command instantly and with true sol
dierly gravity Sammy's delighted heart
nearly burst it's bounds, -betraying it's
excitement in every tense muscle.
When the drill was ended, a nervous
silence ensued till Simpson broke it :
Say Billy, let's wear the old uniform
to the aag-raiSing tomorrow"
Seems if 'tWould be the proper
thing to do responded Mr.. Blodgett
That was all. Not a SMILE not a
handshake, not a word of repentance;
yet the miracle Of reconciliation had
been wrtAght, And at the celebration
on Memorial Day the two veterans
were present in their faded. eloquent
uniforms. No speeches came from
their lips, for their hearts were too
full. but Sammy spoke up good and
loud" enough to redeem the loss, and
the flag was raised by Blodgett and