The Washburn leader., 1914-09-04
A REUNION
ALABOR DAY STORY
By ARTHUR PRICE

it was six feet four inches tall, with
q 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 1t 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 be
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 a 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, motherv 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 as 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 benefiting by
his information.
"Oh. mother. there's a giant with q
woolly dog on his head THROWN up a
big stick. Reckon he's runnin' the
whole business. t
"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
| WIFI FlDUOuS FOuuu eIu.
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 ca
gerness that his mother should see it
all handed her a soap boz on which
he had been standing and babe her
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 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. OToole.
there's your father 5.
Now. Danny O'Toole 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
send money home and when he got
/
and boy he would do SO. For awhile
letters had come from him; then they
had ceased. His wife had come to
America to look for him.
"Which?" cried Danny.
1.-The man on the far side. him with
the red head. Call him."
Danny. knowing only one way to at
tract his parents attention. shouted
Red head" with all the power Of his
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 wife
looking in his direction. Leaving the
ranks. he came across the street. ell
bowed his way through the crowd to
his wife. and she fell into his arms.
Meanwhile Danny. feeling that he
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 his
arms.
THE child?" asked OToole.
"Yes. It's Danny" ..
1 D0uAy SOt q nO6 SuoS 0A0NS 0AA4
cry out. and. drawing OF as far as he
could. he punched his hugger With his
little fist.
Don't you hurt me that way ag'in!'
he said fiercely.
"Oh. Danny" said Mrs. O'Toole.
laughing through her tears. '.your IA
ther's 80 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 to
their rooms. where he explained his
long silence. He had been suddenly
taken Ill and attacked with loss Of
memory. It had partially returned to
him. and he had written his wife. but
she had already left ireland for Amer
lea.
O'Toole was getting on his feet again
when bis wife and boy were restored
to him. and It was not long before he
was able to make them comfortable.
That was a number Of years ago.
Since then Danny O'Toole has grown
to be a stalwart young fellow, has