Omaha daily bee., 1915-09-26
Here is the Narrative of How He
Lost his Father in the War and was
Raised thenin the Orphans Home at
GlenWood, a Few Miles from Omaha

the past opened. The squirrel from the limb OF
the tree barked defiantly and threw myself into
Interrogation point, and when the gun cracked
the squirrel fell at my feet. l grabbed him and
ran home to throw him down and receive compli-
ments for my skill as a marksman. And saw the
tapestry of the evening fall I heard the lowing
herds and saw them wind slowly DER the lea-and
listened the tinkling bells that lulled the dis
tant fowl Once 1 heard the shouts of
childish glee Once more climbed the haystack
for hens eggs. Once more sat at the thresh-
hold and ate our frugal meal. Once more mother
drew the trundle bed out from under the larger
one, and we boys, kneeling down shut eyes
and clasping little hands, said, Now I lay me
down to sleep; pray the Lord my sould to keep.
II I should die before 1 wake, pray Thee, Lord,
my soul to take. And this ask for Jesus sake.
cmen."
I stood beneath the old oak tree and it seemed
TO carry on a conversation with me. 1t seemed to
say:
Hello Bill. Is that your"
Eyes. it's 1, old tree"
We'll you've got a bald spot on the top of
your head"
"Yes, 1 know old tree"
Wont you climb up and sit on my limbs as
you used to?"
NO. haven't got time new I'd like to,
though, awfully we'll"
Don't co. Bill Don't you remember the old
swing you made?"
"Yes, remember; but I've got to co.
Say, BilI don't you remember when you tried
TO play George Washington and the cherry tree
and almost cut me down? That's the scar you
made, but it's almost covered over now"
"Yes, 1 remember all, but haven't time to
stay"
Are you coming back, Bil?"
'I don't know, but I'll never forget you"
Then the old apple tree seemed to call me and
/ said, 'I haven't time to wait old apple tree
When about Ia years old, after leaving
the Soldiers Orphans Home, made application
for the position of janitor in a school. used to
get up at o'clock and there fourteen stoves
and coal had to be carried for all of them. had
to keep the fires UP and keep up my studies and
sweep the floors. got $50 month salary. Well,
day 1 got a check for my salary and went
right down to the bank to get it cashed Right in
front of me another fellow with a check to be
csshed, and he showed his in, and came along and
showed my check in, and the teller handed me out
$40. My check called for $25. to friend
of mine, who was lawyer in Kansas City, and
told him. said. Frank, what do you think, Jay
Fling handed me $40 and my check only called for
$26." He said 'Bill, IL had your luck l would
hUy lottery ticket" But said "The SIS is not
mine" He said, Don't be a chump. If you were
shy $40 and you went back you would not get 1t,
and If they hand out SIS, don't be fool-keep It,"
Well he mad some drag with me ana Influenced
me. was fool enough to keep it, and took 1t and
bought suit Of clothes. see that suit now.
It a kind OF brown with little green in It,
and thought was the goods, want to tell you,
when got those store clothes That the
first suit of store clothes had ever had, and
bought that suit and had $25 left after did 1t.
Years afterward 1 said, 81 ought to be Chris
tian,' and got my knees to pray, and the Lord
seemed to touch me the back and say, "Bill, you
owe that Farmers bank SIS with interest" and l
said, Lord, the bank doesn't know that got that
$15," and the Lord said, 81 know it," So strug-
gled along for years. probably like of you.
trying to be decent and honest and right some
wrong that was in my life and every time I got
down to pray the Lord would say. Fifteen dollars
with interest Nevada county, Iowa; SIS, Bill" So
years afterward sent that money back, enclosed a
check, wrote letter and acknowledged it, and l
have the peace of God from that day to this, and
have never swindled anyone out OF a dollar.