Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-05-21
THEIR ONE VETERAN
BY ALICE MILLER WEEKS

- OFT May breezes showered the pink and white
- of the apple blooms gently down from the
porch One dainty curled petal foaed light as fairy
shell, and came to rest unnotced on the bowed gray
head of Grandpa Jones sitting in his old armchair
Robins and orioles few here and there, busy with
spring But there was no sign of human companion
chip, in the still bent figure in the battered
head The old mans shoulders shook convulsvely,
and from between the shaking fingers covering his
wrnked face tear-drops fell unheeded. Presently,
slender, girsh figure in fluffy white dress and with
auttering ribbons of red, white and blue hurrying
"Grandpal Dear Grandpa yonesl"
Bett VOICE was fp 81 R distress tad With a blue s eyes
little for breath, for the day was warm and she
The old man raised his head In moment he was
snei5e : BY VA pair OF loving E arms p.+, w
-why-what's happened dearie?"
Grandpa Jones wiped his eyes furtvely and slipped
MS hi Set hastily ot INTO coat td p0 0 b
Grandpa Jones, you were cryingl Now tell me
One giriish arm still rested upon his shoulders and
face on Which smiles and tears were struggling fer
mastery. Smiles won, of course; who could with
stand Bettys laughing eyes? Not grandpa Jones, who
''Twan't nothing Betty DEAR" he protested but
Bettys small hand was promptly laid across his lips
Nov knoy better Grandpa Jones' IL kn0Fo W you
shouldn't you, when it's Memorial Day and you were
in the war, your own very self should ike to know?
go anywhere and you'd be all tired out and the
buggy crowded anyway and ali that stuff. But
just couldn't stand the thought of you left here all
alone, and so when we got to the Crossroads slipped
have my Decoration Day here with you than to see
all the parades in the country sing IN the chorus
Betty Struggled closer and laid her rosy cheek against
Crandpas silver hair She spoke so stouty that even
s agd banners the paFoc songs and ped bnd
been the making Of that verv wfite dress But that,
of had V1e expected GRANDPA
"Now, you'll tell me about it. won't, you Grandpa2'
old chair blowing away the pink and white petal which
ns across qoS the he fresh green T grass @ of
your very best war stories, won't you DEAR she
youi I'm lots happier right here with really truly
soldier don't you seef It's soldiers that Decoration
There was no resisting Betty's coaxing ways. Ever
since Grandpa Jones had sold the old homestead and
ordered household, who had stolen into the mans
heart and seemed to understand his loneliness and
need for love A dear and sweet sympathy existed
between the imaginative young girl and the broken old
And so Grandpa Jones cleared his throat. drew a
little the shade of the bossoming applebough,
The Spring sunshine filtered softly down through the
leaves browning with light the silver head Animation
ened Grandpa Jones was soldier once more;
Shoulderng an imagnery musket with head erect and
"Splendidl Splendd' cried Betty, picking herself
up from the floor, where she been unceremoniousy
rolled by Grandpa's sudden move What splendid
soldier you must have been, you dear"
Neither had noticed the approach of carriage nor
the click of the gate, till hearty masculine voice
chirned in:
: Bravo! Bravop A pair of white cotton glcved
hands capped enthusiastic approval while Betty and
ner grandfather stood speechless with astonishn
A tall, uniformed man, wearing a Respondent badge,
stood beside the steps. He smiled and lifted his
plumed hat with courty bow, which Betty's
heart at
"Our committee learned this morning" he began by
way of explanation, "that real veteran has
among Sergeant Jones' commissioned to
quest you occi;ov place of honor the head of
parade Well have everything comfortable
possible tire you. It is what parades have
always iacked-the presence of real soldier of the
Civi! War. viii you consent to conner"
TIE sudden change from "reminiscences to this
nnexcpected request hewidered Grandpa Jones Betty,
however always ready to accept miracles, jumped up
and down and cIapped her hands in delighted excite
:rent
ooh. Grandpa !" she cried you won't only see
the paradevouI he in 1.-THE very incest part Of it
all Oh. Grandpa. its just too lovely to be truep