Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-09-17
A REUNION
ALABOR DAY STORY
By ARTHUR PRICE

it was six feet four inches tall. with
a bearskin hat Oh his head that raised
him to seven feet. He was the drum
major of the band and was twiring
his big silver headed staff and throw
ing it into the air with fine jugglery.
Behind him came the band and then
the man of most real Importance, the
grand marshal. followed by his aids.
Then came the different unions march,
ing in line. every man looking happy
on this clear September day that he
could lay aside his hammer or his
trowel or whatever tool best represent
ed his trade and step out to the in
spiriting strains of martial music.
Among those who lined the side
walks. occupied the steps of the build
ings and climbed the lampposts along
the line of march was certain Mrs
O'TOole, who had recently come over
from Ireland With her was her son,
Daniel. six years old. The mother was
standing with the crowd ON the curb,
but Danny was perched with a leg
on each side of horizontal piece of
iron under the lamp. straining his eyes
to catch the first glimpse of sunlight
that would strike the brass horns of
the band.
They're comm. mother" he shout
ed, wild with excitement. Every eye
within hearing Of the boys voice was
turned in the direction he was looking.
True enough, line of mounted po-
lice wheeled around corner. and in
another moment the strains of music
were heard in the distance Danny
kept his mother informed of each ap-
pearance us it was revealed to him and
was not little proud to think that
there were those in the crowd direct
ly beneath him who were benetiting by
his information.
'Oh. mother. there's a giant with q
woolly dog on his head thrOwin' up a
big stick. Reckon he's runnin' the
whole business.
"Oh, mother. you'd oughter see the
man on horse with whole lot o
other men on horses. They've all got
broad white things over their shoulders
and hold round sticks in their hands
with ribbons round EN-"
The big horns grew hoarser. the bass
drum pounded louder, the piccolo shrill,
ed harder. as the columns advanced
When mounted police riding abreast
came man on the sidewalk interest
ed in Danny's description and his ea
| gerness that his mother should see II
all handed her a soap boz on which
he had been standing and babe heI
mount it. She thanked him and. step
ping up. had fine view of those pass
ing in the street, much to Danny's sat
isfaction.
The drum major passed. the banC
passed, the grand marshal and his aid
passed. Then came the Carpenters
union. the Plumbers union and tn,
| MaSunS' union.
"Oh. Danny" cried Mrs. O'Toole
there's your father"
Now. Danny O'TOole had known eve
since he was old enough to know any
thing that his father had left him ant
his mother in Ireland when Danny WA
baby to come to America. He was t.
| send money home and when he 90
enough together to send for his wifi,
and boy lie would do so. For awhil,
letters had come from him; then the!
had ceased. His wife had come t,
America to look for him.
"Which?" cried Danny.
THE man on the far side. him will
the red head. Call him"
Danny. knowing only one way to at
tract his parents attention. shouted
Red head" with all the power Of hi
little lungs. The man heard him and
turning his head, saw kid on lamp
post waving his hat at him. Then
lowering his eyes. he saw his wifi,
looking in his direction. Leaving til,
ranks, he came across the street. Ell
bowed his way through the crowd t,
his wife, and she fell into his arms.
Meanwhile Danny. feeling that b,
was not getting his share in this fami
ly reunion, dropped down on to his ia
ther with one leg on each shoulder
His father pulled him down into hi
arms.
"The childT' asked O'Toole.
"Yes. It's Danny"
Danny got hug that made hin
cry out, and. drawing of as far as b,
could. he punched his hugger with hi
little fist.
"Don't you hurt me that way ag'inr
he said fiercely.
"Oh, Danny" said Mrs. O'Toole
laughing through her tears. your fa
theirs so glad to see you"
That ended the O'Toole family's in
terest in the Labor day procession
O'Toole went with his wife and boy t,
their rooms, where he explained hi
long silence. He had been suddenl.
taken Ill and attacked with loss o
memory. 1t had partially returned I,
him, and he had written his wife, bu
she had already left Ireland for Amer
lea.
OToole was getting on his feet agail
when his wife and boy were restore,
to him, and 1t was not long before b.
was able to make them comfortable.
1