Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-12-31

and the servant was busy in the laun-
dry in the basement. So Johnny ran to
open the front hall door in response to
the bell. There on the doorstep stood
an old man with struggling white beard
and wan, wrinkled face. His clothing
was old and rusty, being of the cheap
est quality. AS Johnny's eyes took in
the bent aged figure, he was shocked
to see that the stranger had but one
leg, a wooden peg doing service for
the missing limb.
"Ah, good morning, little man" said
the old man. MAY ask you for a bit
of information-and drink of water"
Certainly. SIR" replied Johnny. He
was always polite to his elders, no mat
ter what their appearance might indi-
cate. And Johnny was too fine lad to
let poverty lessen his regard for the
person. He saw at glance that the
man was very, very poor. and also
that he, was a cripple and very old.
That was quite enough to win Johnny's
sympathy
Eyes, sir, I'll fetch you drink"
he went on.r"Won't you come in and
wait in the hall while l get it?'
The aged man smiled his gratitude,
but faltered. I'm not quite sure, little
man, that one SO dusty and-arid- well
one Of such an ungainly appearance
as myself would be at place if1N your
nice hall. Besides. I'm stranger and
do not take it amiss of you close the
door on me while you fetch the water.
1 am used to that sort Of thing The
world Is so full OF wicked persons that
people have to guard. their homes
aginst them. And all strangers are un-
der a certain suspicion till they have
become known. No. no. thank you for
your offer of hospitality, hut shall re-
main here on the steps till you have
kindly handed me the refreshing
drink
But Johnny's sympathy had grown
for the old man while he had been
speaking, and he knew that /. lew
minutes rest In comfortable room
would do him a world Of good. So he
said insist'ngly: "But you are tired
and cold. The wind is sharp. My
chum and were playing war in the
yard q while ago and we got quite
cold. Why. there's snow sitting in the
air now. Please come in and sit down
while fetch the water"
BLESS you, little chap" said the
old man. his eye dimming bit. This
tender consideration from a stranger
and SO young stranger, had touched
his heart. Thank you / will just step
inside. =
Johnny placed q chair for him in the
hall and ran OF to the. kitchen to
bring a glass Of water. When he got
the drink, however, new idea came
Why not take the weary old man a
glass Of fresh milk and piece of that
fine mince pie he and Fred had par
taken Of for their luncheon a while
ago? Yes, that would be the proper
thing to do. So Johnny got the little
silver ter tray and spread napkin
over 1t. Then on the tray he placed
a glass Of water another of fresh
sweet milk and plate of rnince pie.
Nov 1t wants bit of cheese" said
Johnny, looking over the tray. And he
added the wanted bit of cheese. Then
he proudly carried the tray to the
visitor In the hall.
for his emotion when Johnny placed
the tray on little table beside him.
"Oh, how can ! thank you, lad?" he
wiping his eyes. Then he
drank and ate with relish, Johnny sit
ting near by to chat with him.
"You say you and your younger
friend have been playing at war;" the
old man asked. "Ah, sonny, you little
dream what war might mean to you
in reality Here" and he pointed
towards the wooden peg which served
him as leg. THAT came from war,
my child"
Johnny was all interested in mo-
ment. Here was veteran of war,
one who had suffered the real thing.
All, how he would love to hear his
story TELL me of II" he gasped out.
"Tell me of the war-of the battle
where you-you- lost-your-poor
leg"
The old mans face became paler,
but he spoke of the past. Of the great
rebellion when he had fought to save
his country.
He told in horrifying detail Of fierce
conflict where men-and mere boys,
too lay mangled and torn on the field
Of slaughter; and then,at the very last,
he pointed toward his manned side
and said: cat the great battle that
d icided our happy fate-the salvation
of our great national the battle of
Gettysburg lost>a part Of myself.
But gave that much of my blood and
flesh for the cause. and never have
regretted the sacrifice. Had 1t been
would have gladly lost
my life. It was for the good of hui
Of the world"
AS the aged voice ceased speaking
there were tears rolling down Johnny's
cheeks. He felt ashamed of this show
of emotion, but could not help it. But
the aged man put him at his ease in
moment by saying: "Ah, my dear son,
I hope warfare will altogether cease.
Let the people Of the world love one
another; let them live in peace. Let
the time come when one man shall not
have to lose an arm, leg, perchance
life. that other men may have justice.
Such see in the near future. And,
my dear young man, you who are just
at the starting point in life play at
making peace instead of at making
war. We grow up to believe in the