The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-07-14
FOR YOUNG FOLKS

just how you feel and is sorry but
there is something very nice YOU can
do today Dickey. you can be real
soldier
How" asked Richard, in surprise.
Real soldiers explained father,
are those who DO the bravest hard
est things; and. do you know, that
sometimes it is much harder and
Drawer to stay in camp than to go
out and fight Now | can be the
man who goes out to fight, and you
be the man who stays and takes care
of the camp
Richard laid his head on fathers
shoulder. Il will, daddy dear he
whispered, L will try to be a real
soldier
He walked very straight and held
his head high as he helped father
with the breakfast work, and, when 1t
was done and baby was out on the
sorch in her carriage 1t was a bright
laced little boy who kissed father
goodbye and wished him happy day.
+ Then he tiptoed to the darkened room
where mother was lying She was
awake and held out her hand to him,
I'm so sorry, dear, not TO take you
TO the parade today she said. and
. HtF eyes were tlil tears.
Richard smiled. brave. real SOL
der smile Il don't mind at ALL
mother" he cried cheerfuly. You
see / am a real soldier today; this
Is the camp. you are in the hospital
tent; baby is the drummer boy | am
the captain. Now take a drink OF
nice fresh water and go to sleep" He
kissed her gently aud went softly
out TO take care OF little sister,
He made two soldier caps and put
cloth on the end OF the drum sticks 50
they wouldnt make much noise. Then
he and baby walked UP and down tho
lawn, she with the drum, he carrying
a nag. just like a real parade.
4 Halt said voice, and the pa
rade stopped suddenly. Good morn
ing. soldiers. That's a fine parade"
Richard hardly knew what to say.
for there at the gate stood IA ball man
dressed in blue with shiny brass but
tons and gold fringe on his shoulders
He held his hat in his hand and smiled
so kindly that the children smiled IN
return, you've coming to see our big
parade this afternoon, aren't vou:" he
asked
Richards lips quiVered for a mo-
ment, bur he answered bravely, NO.
sir, we can't leave the camp mother
is In the hospital tent. and she needs
us"
oh" said the man, Il see, You re
the right kind of soldier, my boy.
Good bye And he was gone. The
children watched him until he was
out OF sight and then vent back to
their parade.
Richard made tea for mother. got
lunch for baby and himself, and was
wheeling baby up and down the porch
20 put her to sleep when he heard a
sound far off down the street--Br--n
br--m. br-m. br-m, br--r1 listen,
sister" he said Its the drums they re
having the parade" Nearer and
br--m, br-m. br--m. br--m. an
wheel you down TO the gate and per
haps We can see where il is
Way, way off Richard thought he
could catch a glimpse Of blue cnats
ana waving flags AZ he watched
they came nearer, nearer, and nearer
until he could see them quite plainly
Baby" he cried, baby. / do be-
lleve they're coming right past our
house" He lifted her from her car
riage and helped her climb up TO the
top Of the low gate-post where he
could hold her, by standing on the
I fence. ON came the parade. with
bands playing and flags flying. on and
on surely 1t was coming past their
house At its head rode a man on
a big black horse. When he passed
the gate where Richard stood. he ga =
uted and Richard returned the salute
in real soldier fashion That's our
soldier he WHISPERED to baby. "and
he's captain Of all the parade"
II was indeed a big parade. ard
when II was over Richard put baby
back III her carriage and ran into
the house, his cheeks red his ewes
shining. He opened the door or his
mothers room quietly and found her
M IN bed feeJinF much better
"a mother he 1ried the para de
came right by our house. and | think
that rice 80 prain asked To have Il
como SO we might see IT,
Yes. dear mother answered 81
think he did
By tea time mother was able to be
up and such q merry time az they
had that evening telling father about
he DAY md how aey had seen the
usrade after all When bedtime came
father laid his hand on Richards
head
Good might nay real soldier" he
said ard mother whispered. as she
kissed him. Hes been such hello Il
mother today Richard rugged then
both as he answered. This was the
incest Decoration Dav 7 ever had
Harriet r Jones, ia Kindergarten Re.
view.