The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-08-08
A REUNION
A LABOR DAY STORY
By ARTHUR PRICE

a bearskin hat on his head that raised
him to seven feet. He was the drum
major of the band and was twirling
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 POI
lice wheeled around a corner, and in
another moment the strains of music
were heard in the distance. Danny
kept his mother informed of each APP
pearance as 1t was revealed to him and
was not little proud to think that
there were those in the crowd direct
ly beneath him who were benefting by
his information.
"Oh, mother, there's a giant with a
woolly dog on his head THROWN up a
big stick. Reckon he's runnin' the
whole business.
'Oh, mother, you'd oughter see the
man on a horse with a 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 'em."
The big horns grew hoarser, the bass
drum pounded louder, the piccolo shrilI-
ed harder, as the columns advanced.
When mounted police riding abreast
came a man on the sidewalk interest
ed in Danny's description and his ca
gerness that his mother should see 1t
all handed her soap boz on which
he had been standing and babe her
mount it. She thanked him and. STEP
ping up had a fine view of those pass
ing in the street, much to Danny's sat
isfaction. 4
The drum major passed the band '
passed. the grand marshal and his aids
passed Then came the Carpenters
union, the Plumbers union and the
Masons' union. (,
"Oh, Danny cried Mrs. O'Toole,
there's your father
Now. Danny O'1oole had known ever
since he was old enough TO know any
thing that his father had left him and !
his mother in Ireland when Danny was
| baby to come to America He was to
sChh ilibllGs Ipll1E anu WnGll u6 HUL
enough together to send for his wife :,
md boy he would do so. For awhile !
etters had come from him; then they y
lad ceased. His wife had come to q
America to look for him. o
which," cried Danny In
THE man on the far side, him with n
he red head. Call him. n
Danny, knowing only one way to at la
ract his parents attention, shouted $
Red head!' with all the power of his
title lungs. The man heard him and. =, -
urning his head, saw kid on lamp ~
ost waving his hat at him. Then, =,
1wering his eyes. he saw his wife Il
boxing in his direction. Leaving the
nnks, he came across the street, ell &C
owed his way through the crowd to ia
is wife and she fell into his arms NJ
Meanwhile Danny, feeling that he Sc
'as not getting his share in this fami-
: reunion, dropped down on to his IA
1er with one leg on each shoulder.
lis father pulled him down into his r
rms.
''The child:" asked O'Toole.
Eyes. It's Danny"
Danny got bug that made him "
y out, and, drawing of as far as he 20
,uld, he punched his hugger with his IL,
tile fist.
Don't you hurt me that way agin"
, said fercely. 4
"Oh, Danny" said Mrs. O'Toole, 4
ughing through her tears, your ia
er's so glad to see you" III
That ended the O'Toole family's in IA
rest In the Labor day procession.
Toole went with his wife and boy to
cir rooms, where he explained his III
nc silence. He had been suddenly
ken i'll and attacked with loss of
emory. 1t had partially returned to
N, and he had written his wife. but
e had already left Ireland for Amer
)Toole was getting on his feet again
zen his wife and boy were restored
him. and IL was not long before he YOU
IS able to make them comfortable. can
That was a number Of years ago s 81,
ice then Danny 0'Toole has grown bad
be a stalwart Young fellow. has hi :
rned his trade and can swing a pas
dgehammer with any man. And Ut Ut
en- labor professions march down he
HaHHH