Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1913-05-30

E&t1EF from the street by FENCES
OF broken palings, their
gaping holes forming convenient short
cuts for small boys, dogs and chick
ems. and at night-cats.
Half way up the street, nesting In
a green and pink and red tangled gar
den, stood a modest white cottage
whose fence palings were white and
unbroken. There were no small boys
IN that cottage, and the dog had long
since lost his energy TO burro~ I'M
der fences
An old man stood patiently before
the window while young, homeiy.
vigorous woman buttoned him into
the splash OF blue--the ancient coat
OF veteran. His empty left sleeve
was pinned to his side. and the but
tons threw back the sun brayely His
scanty white locks shone again I'M
der the careful brushing. His trou-
.sers still exhaled the odor OF cedar
and moth balls His boots were inn
macuiate
All the year be meekly bore the
vigorous seedlings OF his daughter. but
on this day he vas supreme. nothing
mattered then. II was his day-Net-
erans Day--and not once In more
than so years had he missed IT,
OF late years. and particularly since
his only boy had gone. 1t had been
necessary to start a trifie earlier. 1t
was not far to his captains house,
but somehow, II seemed to grow far
ther each year. and his whole life
would be in misery IL he should be
tardy on such a day.
He could see himself walking up the
long, shaded drive to his captains
house. Previously it had been one OF
his fellow.yeterans-his captains old
orderly--who admitted him. Now II
was a younger mana soldier, yet,
but not of the old brigade. Never mind:
II was soon forgotten in the JOY OF
other things to come.
lie could see himself walking down
the armor-lined hall to the big, dim
room, chuekling happily as he found
his way unaided. familiar welcome
brother. although he only came once
year. But in 90 years man
learns Then he would knock. and
enter. shifting his stick under the
stump of his left arm. as he saluted
over In the corner would stand the
old colors. faded and riddled with
holes. the nag he had carried so brave
~ His captain would be sitting at
the end of the table, his white beard
ripping with the smile OF welcome
AZ be returned the salute. Then the
others would salute. although now
that was over The old brigade was
gathered on the other side. but they
couldn't line up for complete inspec-
tion until the captain reached there,
too His heart contracted suddenly,
What would he do II his captain went
before him? II would be very lonely
until the day of reunion; but he
mustn't think such things on such a
day Besides, his eyes seemed to
water of late years. 1t must be the
dust He would return TO his pleas
ant thoughts of the great day.
After his captain had saluted he
would wave him TO chair, and then a
wondrous meal would begin over the
food they would live again in JOYOUS
remembrance OF the great day They
would live over again, as they had
numberless times. the great morn
ing when half their gallant band had
gone down before that resistless
charge. while the other half fought in
grim despair
He could see again the thousand
cleaning lances and the yelling, gal
Looping enemy. The main body had
moved on across the river. His cap
tains company had been moving at
the double TO catch up when they
had been cut of. The eaptain-his
captain-what a gallant figure he had
made as he stood upon the dead
body OF his horse and rallied his men
around hint What shrieking pan
oemonium Of cracking musket-shots.
struggling horses, and wounded meni
How bravely had the little band re-
pulsed the swirling horsemen. paying
for Ii with the blood OF their com
radesl How the colors had fallen
from his hand as horseman rode at
him and severed his armi He. too,
was going 10 join his fallen com
rades when the eaptain-his captain
had rushed out and dragged him TO
safety.
oh. the glory OF the day lost nothing
IN their 30 years OF repetition.
What mattered II II their voices
we're weak and ierky with the years
that most OF them had 10 drink the
4sft
cause discomfort TO creaky bones
sometimes. when one is old
Tho old man smiled happily. He
had timed himself we'll His thoughts
reached their conclusion as he reach
ed his captains gate. and that was
rs 1t should be.
Again he braced his shoulders as he
thumped his stick on the ground. and
walked with brave show up the how-
cred walk.
The sun wss bit warm. and the
walk had made II biz dificult TO
Keep his shoulders up straight But
they must be straight when he en-
tered his captains presence and gave
the salute Oh. yes. nothing must
anar that,
Down the hall he stumped. until
he reached the door OF the room
where his captain sat He paused a
moment, revelling in the Joyous antic-
spation OF that supreme momen,-his
salute. Settling his wrinkled face in
% the expression which soldier