The Glenwood post., 1910-05-28
Gave Them the Ride Of Their Lives.

0aVo mem tho Hioe OF Their Lives.
are you going to get them up to that
cemetery, I'd like to know? Hire a
livery rig? Pocket money for May all
gone. Borrow from Daddy? Never!
Take them in the automobile instead
Of the girls? Well-I-never-"
Katherine stopped on the sidewalk
and laughed aloud. What would the
girls say? And the boys? And Jack?
The girls eyes sparkled. Il will"
she said. land l know of another who
will fill the empty seat Old Mrs
Davis, who hasn't been to a Memorial
day celebration for years, and she a
soldiers widow still wearing an old
rusty Grape veil in his memory. Poor
old dear! And know not one of them
poets to. And after the exercises
perhaps I'll take them a spin down the
river road. will! 1 will! The poor
old souls! I'll make 'em have one
royal afternoon or die in the attempt"
That afternoon was a dream Of de-
light to the three old people and the
years fell from them like a garment,
80 wonderful thing is Joy to those
whom Joy seldom visits. The color
came in Widow Davis wrinkled
cheeks. and her old eyes beamed with
pride as she looked across the rows
of graves to Henry's. where the little
flag fluttered and the great bouquet of
white syringas and plumy lilacs lay
like benediction. The band played
its sweetest and softest. and the two
old brothers never knew that quiet
tears were running down their faces
as they listened.
The generals speech was strong
and true. and brave and tender, and
when 1t was over. Silas and Jerry
could not refrain from hobbling I'D to
greet their old commander.
When at last 1t was all over and the
people began to descend the long hill
Katherine turned her automobile in
the direction Of the river road. She
drove slowly. so that her guests might
enjoy the exquisite view. and on and
on they went. miles out into the beau
tiful, free. open country. But on the
way home Katherine gave them the
ride Of their lives, and laughed to see
the widows old face flushed like
girls and her gray hair floating on the
wind. while the old crepe veil blew out
straight behind into the delighted faces
OF the two old men, who were thor.
oughly enjoying the swift pace. It was
all very wonderful and beautiful. and
surely there was a good deal in life
after all. they thought.
That night the general was the guest
of honor at Judge Adams at dinner
The Judge and his wife had at thu
eleventh hour given up their proposed
visit, and were glad and proud to en-
tertain SO famous a guest.
The general looked across at Kath.
crime. MY dear young lady," he be
gan In his stately. old-fashioned way
1T does me good-more than I.can ex
press IN mere wordA-to discover that
youth is not all frivolity and fippanc,
In this generation. When 1 saw you
today giving pleasure and satisfaction
to those whose lives are Door ans
lowly-when heard afterward of tn.
delightful outing you gave them on ths
beautiful river road-why-I|E"
The general stopped and tried t.
think of the proper word. then smiled
at Katherine. which was a great deaI
better than finding it.
They told me all about it-sil.,
and Jerry" he said, when 1 called Il
see them On my way here, and II eysa
- happier Or prouder pair Of brother,
existed have never met them"