Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-05-21

aren't you going?" the stranger asked looking, at
Bes gala dress Pobabiy he had dapg d n tha
pa was himself again, and explained briefly how she
had left the carriage at the Crossroads and come back
We'll, she'll be left out either" the committee
said with smile. Now, have you old army
make the affair seem more real to the spectators!
faded uniform and battered musket She knew and loved
so well Almost before he knew it Grandpa Jones
the old uniform all signs of WEAKNESS and despond-
ency vanished He walked with Betty to the waiting
carriage with firm, steady tread. holding his head high
They were soon flying down the road toward town
behind pair of handsome bays.
Along the main street of Bankton all sorts of We
hcles stood waiting while throngs of expectan people
jostled one another the sidewalks. Memorial Day
great event and all the country around turned
to witness the parade and listen the band and
the speeches. Some unaccountabe delay seemed to
have occurred. The parade late in starting.
Il declare" said Bettys father, turning in the demo-
crat wagon to speak to Mrs Jones' sitting the back
seat I don't feel right about father being left this
way It's too bad Bettys had to give up the singing
and all, Shed been looking forward to it long
time"
well he'd have been all tired out" Betty's mother
began, but running through the crowd caught
their attention.
the parade. That's what's made them late. They
didn't know about him till the last minute"
"Oh, why didn't bring fatheri" Mr. Jones ex-
claimed "Im afraid we've been making mistake,
thinking 100 SuCn Things HOW ne
would have liked to another veteran wish
could go back after him. I wonder who the other
soldier is, anyway"
"HarkI" cried the boys There's the bandi It's
coming-oh it's started 1astr
Silence settled down over the throngs of people
strainng their eyes catch the first glimpse of the
shining glittering of the brass band of
Blankton, which from time irnmemorial had always
headed the parades. a element of expectancy was
added by the floating of the coming of a rep
resentatve of the Civil War soldiers
Hail, Coumbia!" blared forth IN stirring measure
as the band drew nearer and nearer but all eyes
instantly fixed open carriage Immediately
following the big bass drum. The carriage was elab-
oratey draped with folds of red, white and blue
Wrcaths and festoons of flowers hung from its Sides
and with Old Glory proudly waving above him. an old
soldier in faded blue enthroned the cushioned
seat Very straight he sat- od-tine musket on his
shoulder and the undyng fire of patriotism shining
in his eyes, the inspiring strains from the cleaning
instruments fell his By his side and holding
fast to his unoccupied hand, pretty young girl
in fluffy white dress decorated with futtering rib
bons of red, white and blue
Intense silence at first hailed >the approach of the
carriage-then voice from the succeeding carriage
where road the members of the committee, broke the
spell:
Three cheers for Sergeant Jones, veteran of the
Civil WARP called the voice. "Nowl Onel Twoi
ThreeP
Cheer after cheer resounded all along the line Flags
wildly waved Betty held closer to her grand
fathers hand; but he unmndful of the battle and ex-
element gazed calmly forward, living in memory other
days and other scenes beside which the present was but
a dim reality.
why, it's father-Cod bless him !" said a sudden,
broken voice, when, through blur of tears, Betty's
father gazed the gored figure beneath the floating
Stars and Stripes. His wife made reply, beyond
muffled sob and vigorous wiping of her eyes. But
the two boys climbed to the seat of the democrat
wagon and cheered and cheered till they were hoarse
Wreaths and flags were reverently laid upon the
dozen scattered graves in beautiful lakewood where
rested the soldier boys of whom their people were
proud and then Grandpa Jones, "our esteemed
fellow-citizen Sergeant Jones', responded to a re-
quest for a speech Gravely mounting the draped
nd-stand he stood before the people in the old
uniform which had such service in defense of his
country and made personal appeal every heart in
behalf of the country he loved and eloquent of tribute
for the brave sons, his comrades, who had laid
down their lives for her sake. When he finished
men, and children pressed forward grasp the
old soldiers hand and to thank him with tear-dmmed
eyes for his inspiring words Betty's heart was so
thrilled with loving pride that smiles and mingled
and blended strangely on her rosy face
The democrat wagon logged homeward behind the
carriage which Sergeant Jones and Betty were
being driven back to the porch and the appe-blos-
sons Fahtre and mother silent, each busy with
thought, but in the back-seat the boys talking It
over
81 tell you what" cried Phil with shining eyes, II
realized before what hero Grandpa Jones has
been"
eyes and is" added Robert "I tell you, Phil, it's
a fine thing to have hero for your grandfather
I mean to let them appreciate him, and I'm
going to try to grow up to be as brave and good
he is too"
@And so am l." cried Phil "rm proud of Grandpa
Jones'"
amen" said the father softly at shant be only