Evening star., 1909-05-30

His eyes were faring Ike points Of light from
his furnace fires. and somehow he appeared
many years younger and Stalwart, standing
there IN his singed rags with his bandaged hands
and blistered SCARED face. couldn t say any
thing but my Congressman friend, who uI-
derstood him better pacitied him.
Colonel he said at last quite softly, no
body gives cuss whether you get pension or
not. but there some of us think il would
make it easier for your wife in her old
age. Hold now Just wait a moment
You can earn money its true. but not enough
to give her home where the sun shines through
open windows, where there are trees and flowers
and birds. and where She won't be ashamed to
entertain her old friends You and are sol
dlerS. but womans a woman
The Colonel appeared to be touched by the
argument; but did not surrender Maybe
have been selfish. he SAID trembllngly This
wouldn be much of home for Mother She
doesn't hold her youth the way | do Why.
/ m good for twenty years yet. but-but-"
The old fellow almost broke down and appeared
to wilt tritle For an instant only. though.
Then he threw his head up and smiled through
his cracked lips
What 5 the use in arguing over 1t now he
went with the air OF relief If dIsmisslng
it from his mind The cause OF temptation Is
gone. because it would be almost impossible ID
do anything without those discharge papers.
Thev'r burned. I'm here and I've got good
job Its nice and warm. and our friend he
waved his hand at the landlord who stood IN
the though stupefed. says | can have
the place as long as | live or until can get
start More than that" he added with a note
OF jubilation, this very morning he raised my
salary ten dollars month Oh. where a man
IS determined enough he finds way There Is
a God IN Heaven. you know
The Congressman threw up his hands with
gesture of hopelessness and began ironing his hat
with his elbow. The landlord seemed to adj
mire the Colonel's nerve and l. being Young
and obdurate. hot under the collar.
Got to watch my fire the. Colonel said
cheerfully and slid out into the passageway as
You want to see any more OF me. have lunch
then.
XX/E were dismissed He wouldn't neglect
w his work. He was bound to make good on
that job of shoveling coal if he never accom-
plished anything more in this world We filed
out like a group of whipped Schoolboys and
stood IN the areaway. buttoning our overcoats
and speechless The door behind opened and
we heard
oh, there you are' Glad you didn't get
away. I've got something for YOU. he
ended, addressing me. Wait minute "
He ducked back into the shadows. to return
in an instant There was fine glow in his eyes
as he put in nv hands the saber of my father
passing 1t over reverentlally as though pre-
senting with sacred relic entangled
with his own life and nations history.
q" saved it for you. boy 1t was the best
could do
Bang went the door and he was gone
again. back to his shovel and his coal
And l. elated. drew the nicked blade from its
rusted scabbard. Ny fingers trembes as
found. where had concealed them for safe
keeping. the Coonels papers handed them
to the Congressman, who after a single glance
gave low whoop of exultaton. buttoned them
inside his coat shook my hands in both his
own. and said
Leave the rest to me- Leave the rest to
met'