Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-05-28

sHAnBILY DRESSED IN FADED SUIT OF
BLUE.
forgotten the postoflice in the unwont-
I'D pleasure of newspaper TO read.
Just think, AIir'um, they've been
havin' an old soldiers picnic over TO
Jacksonville! There was an excursion
in the cars to n place where they had
a big dinner, and there was military
bands ana speeches2-all about the bat
ties they'd been in"
The loud changing of a bell ut the
house announced that the evening meal
was ready, and the light suddenly fad
ed from the old mans face as he walk.
ed away. The dlmming Of his eyes,
the droop of his shoulders, as he turned
from her touched Miriam, and there
flashed into her brain thought so
startling that she seized the first lei
sure minute TO consider II. What IL
they should have an old soldiers pic
mic of their own-she and the general?
Oh. It was a wonderful plan, Miriam
could scarcely sleep for thinking of It,
and by morning she was ready to com
munlcate it TO her old friend
1t is doubtful II any European tour,
"personaily conducted or otherwise,
ever gave such satisfaction as did this
little trip. They tried singing Hail
Columbia" and John Brown" and de-
rived n great deal OF satisfaction, If not
much melody, from the attempt. The
little girl from a nearby farmhouse
ran down and brought them some lem
onade, and altogether it was a day
crowded with pleasure.
But It was just ut the close of the
day that disaster came. They had
fingered as long as they dared, and
then when they started back TO the
station the feverish hurry of inexperi-
enced travellers seized them.
A carriage with part Of gentlemen
turned down a crossrof.d Just as they
approached the station. but the gen
eral, intent only on the train that was
drawing up to the platform, saw moth
ing else and pushed forward. There
was warning cry, shout to the
horses, a groan.
ooh. he's killed. he's killed. and now
can't never take him back sobbed
Miriam.
But the general was not dead. One
of the gentlemen, physician, speedily
assured himself of that.
Il do not believe he is dangerously
J hurt" he said after swift examina-
ton, 'but there Is fractured bone in
| the leg, and with that and the wound
! In his head he ought not 10 be moved
1 If he can be cared for near by. Where
does he livef"
All eyes turned upon Miriam, and
+ the simple story of where they belong
ed and how they had won their days
pleasure was told between pitiful
catchings Of her breath as she tried to
restrain her tears.
/ The station keeper suggested that
the people ut the farm near the grove
I had comfortable house and had plen-
/ ty Of room and might be willing to
care for the invalid until he should be
able to travel.
"We will see that they are well paid
/ for it." said the leader Of the party.
who instructed the volunteer messen-
ger, and word wfs soon sent that the
mistress Of the house was willing IL
Mlriam/TgouId stay to assist her.
/ SO the general was gently removed
I TO a pretty, roomy chamber, his
wounds dressed, anS be began to mend
from the first day.
The doctor made regular visits, and
| the gentleman whom the others adj
dressed as governor" came OCCASION
ally and meanwhile used that intangi-
bic but powerful thing called influence
/ TO set certain forces at work In Wash
ington. The long delayed papers were
speedily found and attended TO, and
one day. when the general had nearly
recovered, the governor brought out =
long envelope.
Here's your pension, my friend
$40 a month while you live and the neat
little sum Of 81 100 for arrears"
"'Leven hundred dollars IN a lump,
/ ESQ a.surr- ry,I.1tb fcuO