The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1910-06-02

Of soldiers, men on horseback, the Grand
Army veterans, now but a remnant OF
the mighty host that once marched away
to make history, and numerous organiza-
tons In double ranks.
Jerky strains OF the Star Spangled
Banner" mingled with the sound of the
fife and drum, fioated out on the morn
ing air. The notes of Marching Through
Georgia were caught, echoed and an
swered by Columbia, Gem Of the Ocean"
from the adjacent streets, while the Span
sh-American war soldiers contributed "A
Hot Time" Flags and banners streamed
from all windows.
For 1t was the Goth day of May.
Rob Mandel, young southerner enjoy
ing his first glimpse Of l.fe In the northern
states, threaded his way through the
crowded his way through the crowded
streets, which seemed to him to bear the
air of a gala day. He turned into a street
where tall trees cast a grateful shade on
the pavement Then his heart beat more
quickly. At the end Of the block he saw
Jocelyn-Jocelyn, sweet and II, and but
very recently his fiancee.
"Jocelyn!'
She turned a pretty, surprised face TO
his
Where are you going, Jocelyn? /
called at your house just now, but found
It closed
II am going to spend the day with my
grandmother"
"And she is the only member of your
family have not met, so I will go with
YOU"
mo, Rob: not today. This IL always
sad day for poor grandma"
"Oh, your grandpa Their was killed in the
civil war, presume" he added, feelingly.
Worse than that, Rob. He belonged to
che missing" and not missing In action,
either You can walk to the house with
me and will tell you about 1t. Early In
the war my grandfather was taken sick
In quarters Before he was well his reg
iment received orders to move on and
commenced their march at night. Grand
pa, delirious with fever. was placed In
the ambulance.
THE next morning, when some OF his
comrades, anxious as to his condition.
came to the ambulance. they found 1t
empty and my grandfather was missing.
ALI search and inquiry proved unavailing.
His friends came to the conclusion that In
his delirium he had slipped unseen from
the ambulance under cover OF the night
and that probably he had been killed by
bushwhackers. OF course, the march
could not be delayed. and his regiment
had to pursue their way, leaving him TO
his unknown fate.
"He was never again heard from. and
they say the sad t:dings would have killed
ny grandmother, but she felt that she
must live to have removed from the mus
ter roll the cruel word 'deserter.'
For years she went continually to the
window to watch for him. the doorbell
never rang, a footCtep never paused be-
fore the door, but her heart beat with ex-
pectancy. She knew that whatever had
been his fate, he did not merit the cruel
charge Of desertion, for he was a grand
and brave man.
"Sha worked INCREASINGLY to get the
charge removed, and years after the war
succeeded in doing so. That lifted her
sorrow slightly, but this Decoration day
is a dreaded one to her. She grieves so
to think that she cannot care for his
grave, and she envies all those women
bearing flowers to their dead in the ceme-
terry"
Rob was strangely silent after listening
to the recital of this little tragedy
1T is very sad and strange" he said,
rehectively. 'It recalls a war story that
my grandmother has often told me
II will have to hear 1t some other time.
Rob, for this is my grandmother's house,
and you must go back"
II am going in with YOU" he announced
In determined tones.
"Oh, no, Rob!" she replied hurriedly.
1.-THE fact is, haven't told grandma OF
our engagement. You see you must ex-
pect her to be prejudiced at first because
you are a southerner and"
"She would naturally feel that way, for
presume she ims.Gines that your grand
father was killed by confederates."
Yves, and today, of all days, her feel
inxs would be more keen. So you must
wait, Rob. and meet her under other con-
ditions."
mo, am going in now!" he said. res
plutely, as he assembled the steps.
Jocelyn's grandmother met them In the
hall. She looked like a picture grand
mother with her soft white curls and
gown Of silver gray.
Jocelyn's heart relented when she saw
how tenderly her young lover clasped the
hand extended in acknowledgement OF the
introduction, She fastened to explain
that "Mr. Handel was friend OF Brother
Dicks and that he had come the night
Sefore to pay them a visit"
Where Is your home. Mr.. Mandel?"
asked the old LADY. politely.
Jocelyn gave him beseeching look, but
he replied unfiinchingly:
Atlanta, Georgia."
Jocelyn's grandmother turned her face
toward the window, and Jocelyn grew re-
bell.ous.
.'Mrs. Royce" said Rob, earnestly.
"Jocelyn has been telling me this morn
Ing Of your sad bereavement"
Jocelyn flushed crimson. Had he not
then one spark Of delicacy--one grain OF
tact?
Rob rose and crossed the room, seating
himself beside her.
what she told me decided me to come
IN and relate to you an incident OF my
Vrandmother's life during the war. She
was the wife Of confederate officer and
lived on the outskirts Of Atlanta. Early
one morning q servant came into the
house and told her that he had found
sick Yankee in the stable"
Mrs. Royce started, and an eager look
of interest frightened her wan face.
Jocelyn's eyes grew expectant.
"Oh, Rob-" she said, softly.
my grandmother" resumed the young
man, accompanied the servant to the
stable and found the report to be correct.
From the clothing and appearance of the
sick man she saw lying on the floor she
knew him to be more than a common SOL
aier.
HE was delirious and appeared to be
very Ill. She at once had him carried to
the house and nursed him with the care
ana tenderness she would have given to
her own. He lived but week"
Rob paused.
"Oh, is that all?"
Mrs Royce gave an agonizing cry.
mo" said Rob. gently. "She found In
his pocket a Memorandum book, on the
fly leaf Of which had been written name
and address In pencil"
''And the name" gasped Mrs. Royce
tremulously.
'~The first name was illegible; the last