The Detroit times., 1909-05-31

ing. while the ceremonies were being
held over the graves OF the brave boys
In blue. They were thrilled, as were
all the beholders. with the thoughts OF
the men who had laid down their lives
for their country. But 10 feel and 20
| write are two different things.
the Decoration day story OF one
year Is about the same as the Decora-
ton day story OF the next year. in the
newspapers. The speakers may be
different. but their ideas are nearly
: always the same; the fine, old lines
OF blue are always there, the flowers
are always sweet and full of love. But
/ that isn't news, because IL happens
, every year.
The mayor was speaking now. He
was young fellow. but he was valnly
doing his best To feel the thrill OF Dec
Grafton day that only an old soldier
can feel; that only man with mem
could experience.
The reporters were doing their best
1 To plan bright, new kind OF a Deco
ration day story out OF IL all
: Suddenly they heard the shrill sound
: of a flfe. II was playing The Girl |
: Left Behind Me-
| OF the reporters. Down lane OF trees
and monuments came the strangest
}. procession that had ever been seen
In cemetery.
: At the head OF IL was First Ser
, geant Bill jerks. Behind him. In
single file. came two baseball mines OF
= boys. in their uniforms. Behind them
came a long line OF stragglers. Bill
I was playing the fife, and putting every
: pound OF himself into il, In his char
4 acteristic manner.
4 II Just happened that the mayor end
I ed his speech, as the procession ar
rived.
! The reporters rushing Cor First Ser
5 geant Bill jerks.
{ What is this about?" asked Biffins.
i Just thought we'd run over To the
J. cemetery TO put some flow on the
4 graves, before the ball game" said
. Bill.
e The reporters saw that each boz
! player carried flowers. They were
soberfaced, quiet boys. The spirit of
the day had fallen upon them.
. Bifiins ran toward the crowd.
+ Make way. please he said. Here
are some flowers"
= Then he motioned TO Bill. Down
S the lane of the crowd which made
. way for him. proudly marched Bill and
behind him came the boys.
over the graves they scattered their
I tokens OF school.boy love. Their In
terest was the genuine interest OF boy
) hood There was no grief here; fresh
from their playground they brought
= tributes of honor. II was real. flesh
/; and.blood America giving glory, be-
. cause glory was due. From grave 10
grave. the baseball players passed
2 silently.
!. When they had finished. they passed
p outside the circle of the crowd
: Wait a minute" rang out a strong
voice. There's one word more | want
! TO say"
:. =tfTIs-thE-y nuHg-mayuT SppakrHg.
p THAT was the most splendid thing
| have seen today. | know my speeach
wasn't good But now | know why. u
, was because was trying To feel as
/. the old soldiers feel. But cannot do
I that. No one OF us who was not In
n that Grand Army can DO that We
:. don't know what memories these old
{ soldiers nave: we haven't seen our
i comrades fall beside us in battle:
their feelings on Decoration day must
/. be n hundred times deeper than ours
+ But you and I, who do not know about
war. may have our feelings also. With
= us there Is more pride than sadness;
3 more glory than loss. These old sol
r diers come here filled with remem
8 ORANGES after years OF thinking over
| battle times We ought to come hero.
y as did these fine boys today, fresh
from our play and work, to pay tribute
/. 10 the men who made II possible for
In, III oI
u states
"Old soldier boys. We love you"
There were tears in the mayors eyes
and voice as he stretched out his arms
to the veterans I'VE love you For
give us, won't YOU. II we don't seem
to fully appreciate all your memories:
liz we don't seem 10 feel as you do on
Decoration day."
we are . new generation. But
wherever there a baseball game to-
day: or a picnic; or a horse race
wherever there is an American crowd
gathered together you may he sure
that every pleasure seeker loves the
memories OF the boys in blue"
Everybody cheered this time. They
said the mayors speech was good. aft
er all And Bill and the baseball mines
walked away
How did you get them to come over
70 the cemetery" Biffins asked FRS.
Sergeant Bill.
II told them II they didn't come over
TO the cemetery with me. wouldn't
umpire their game" Bill replied
when the newspapers were read a,
the soldiers home that night, the old
soldiers were delighted The stories
told all about Bill and the strange. In
spring scenes at the cemetery. They
even gave the score OF the ball game.
Young mayor made ane speech"
said First Sergeant Jas. Whitcomb.
HE wouldn't have. II IL hadn't been
for BILL" said Peter. Bits roommate
"Bill Is Just like a kid" said First
Sergeant Whitcomb. But I 'spose Il
takes man like him 10 really under
stand what the young folks do think
about us. guess the mayor was
right"
A Word From .Iosh whits