Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-06-03
hair. Mamma always performed
these little duties for her,


wreathes or grouped into bouquets
Not that Mr.. and Mrs. Agnew had any
dear ones sleeping in Greenwood, but
because there we're certain graves
forgotten each year-unless they went
| there to remember them.
! There had been a terrible WIND
storm during the previous night, and
before starting to the cemetery, Peggy
| and Willy went about the grounds tc
see what damage had been done to
tree and shrub. Two fine young trees
that had stood in the rear of the big
yard were lying on the ground, broken
and dying. Peggy and Willy loved
those pretty, graceful trees that had
just begun to unfold little green
leaves. And as they stood inspecting
the ruin wrought by the storm, and
expressing deep sorrow, Peggy's eye
fell upon a tiny feathered creature
lying in the shadow of one of the
broken limbs. She stopped and made
closer examination. Then she said in
low, plying tones: "Oh, dead little
sparrow. 1t must have been killed in
the storm"
And its funeral shall be on Deco
ration day" declared Peggy. We'll
bury it down in the back Of the
grounds-behind the garage. Oh, isn't
1t sad that it should have been killed ?
1t is Sc lovely!" Willy was busy think
ing. Then he said: Lets wrap it in
pretty tissue paper and lay it in our
room till we return. Then We'll bury
1t. And We'll invite Harry and Fanny
Rogers to the funeral Oh, won't that
be nice-to give birdie a nice fu-
neral?"
eve shall have some flowers, too"
said Peggy, gathering the cold, little
form in her hands and stroking it
gently. ooh, let's run tell mamma
about 1t. She'll give some Of the
flowers that are put away inside the
auto-those intended for the Gene
terry"
But Willy shook his head. 81
don't believe that would be right, sis
ter" he said you see, there are al
ways SO many graves to be remember
ed. graves that wouldn't have a bios
som on them, unless it were for
mamma and papa. Well have to keep
al flowers for Greenwood But-we
,an get some more for BIRDIE"
But don't you know that we have
gathered every blossom on the placer"
lsker Peggy. And all the neighbors
AVE robbed their gardens and hot
louses for today. So we'll not be aple
o get single blossom anywhere
lnless we go to the florists up town"
'Then we'll go there" said Willy,
I'll buy ten cents worth and you buy
en- cents worth. That'll cover
'irdie's little grave all right. Well
ret pansies. They're SO rich and small.
eyes, We'll do that" agreed Peggy. |
md then their mother called to them
O come, as the auto was waiting, and
was time to start to Greenwood |
cemetery. Pretty soon the family of
our were speeding along the broad
country road leading to the cemetery
1rs. Agnew, Peggy and Willy hold
ng on their laps and in their arms
treat quantities of flowers. And on
,oing through the cemetery they
ound many graves which had been
orgotten in so far as they were un-
decorated with flowers. The four
Agnews buised themselves placing
vreaths and bouquets on those lonely
title spots, and once Mrs. Agnew was |
seen to put her kerchief to her eyes
IS she laid wreath Of white blossoms |
IN baby's grave. EITHER the dear
mother is no more, or its too far away
rom her baby's grave to come to it
oday," she said. "But If she's living |
Ter heart is heavy now. and she is
linking Of this little spot. So for |
Ter sake-and for the poor fathers
'ake-n he be living too we decorate
his baby3s resting place."
Just as we-yOu and Twill deco
ate the little sparrow's grave" whis-
,ered Willy to Peggy. ''Its mother
Doesn't know anything about its being |
So we'll care for it |
n her place." "Of course, brother"
agreed Peggy, mist coming over her
>wn pretty blue eyes.
Then, their work being done, the |
Agnews returned to town. and Willy |
md Peggy took their mother to their
Dom and showed her the dead spar
'ow. eve want to give It a decent |
uneral." said Peggy. "And, mamma,
We are going to buy some flowers, for
is grave, If you don't mind
"Why, dearie, you can't find sin
lie blossom anywhere in town, now,
As Papa was passing the florists shop |
his morning he stopped to speak to
he keeper, Mr.. Bates, and was told
hat he had disposed of every cut
lower, only potted plants now re.
So, you couldn't find a cut
blossom anywhere. For a week after
Decoration Day, you know, the town
ooks bars Of flowers"
But while Mrs. Agnew was speak
ng, Peggy had an idea. But she kept
to herself all the time She and
Willy found a pretty box in which
hey placed the little sparrow, all
in a bit of blue tissue paper.
Then the box was in turn wrapped in
issue paper and tied about with a
link ribbon. Over all was wrapped a
.eavy brown paper. Then the little
casket," as the children called the
,ox, was placed on footstool in the
'arlor where it should remain till
heir frineds, the Rogers children, ar
lived. Willy had already 'phoned to
Harry, explaining what was to take
place in their grounds-behind the
of $hr1 - ~1r