Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-06
A Real Soldier
"'Tis May-time! 'Tis May-time!
And all the world is bright.

up in bed for a moment looking around
him. Then he sprang with bound out
of bed and over to the window. On,
oh, OH" he cried. What beautiful
day. And it is Decoration day, and
am going to see the parade and wear
nv white suit and carry my flag to
wave at the soldiers. Oh. hurrah. hur-
rah'" He danced up and down for Joy.
and then began to wash and dress as
fast as he could.
Soon he was ready and ran down
stairs to tell father and mother now
happy he was. But, when he reached
the kitchen, he stopped short in sur
prised; for father with very sober
face was getting breakfast alone ana
mother was nowhere to be seen.
Father stopped his work and looked
straight at Richard. "Dickey boy. he
said, mother has one of her sick head
aches and must stay in bed until she IS
better
But father" Richard cried, Its
Day and there is a big pa
rade with lots of soldiers and We
He stopped, for there was a big lump
in his throat and he had to clinch his
fists tightly to keep from crying.
Father knelt in front of Richard and
took both tense little hands in his own.
my boy he said, and his voice was
very tender father knows just how
you feel and is sorry, but there IS
very nice you can do today,
Dickey, you can be real soldier
How" asked Richard. in surprise.
Real soldiers" explained father,
ARE those who do the bravest, hardest,
things; and, do you know, that some
times it is much harder and Drawer to
stay in camp than to go out and fight?
Now I can be the man who goes out
to fight, and you be the man who stays
and takes care of the camp
Richard laid his head on fathers
shoulder. 81 will daddy dear he whis-'
pered, II will try to be a real soldier.
He walked very straight and held
his head high as he helped father with
the breakfast work, and. when 1t was
done and baby was out on the porch
in her carriage. it was bright faced
little boy who kissed father good bye
and wished him happy day. Then he
tiptoed to the darkened room where
mother was lying. She was awake and
held out her hand to him. "1'm so sor-
ry, dear, not to take you to the parade
today" she said, and her eyes were full
Of tears.
Richard smiled, brave, real soldier
smile. ri don't mind at ALL mother"
he cried cheerfully. you see I am
real soldier today; this is the camp,
you are in the hospital tent; baby Is
the drummer boy, I am The captain.
Now take a drink of nice fresh water
and go to Sleep He kissed her gently
and went softly out to take care of lit
tie sister.
He made two soldier caps and put
cloth on the end of the drum sticks so
they wouldn't make much noise. Then
he and baby walked up and down the
lawn, she with the drum, he carrying
a flag, just like real parade.
Halt" said voice, and the parade
stopped suddenly. Good morning. SOL
diers. That's fine parade
Richard hardly knew what to say, for
there at the gate stood tall man
dressed in blue with shiny brass but
tons and gold fringe on his shoulders
He held his hat in his hand and smiled
so kindly that the children smiled in
return. You're coming to see our big
parade this afternoon, aren't you?" he
asked.
Richards lips quivered for a moment
but he answered bravely, mo, sir, we
can't leave the camp; mother is in the
hospital tent, and she needs U.S."
"Oh," said the man. / see. You're
the right kind Of soldier, my boy.
Goodbye" And he was gone. The
watched him until he was out
of sight and then went back to their
parade.
Richard made tea for mother. got
lunch for baby and himself, and was
wheeling baby up and down the porch
to put her to sleep when he heard a
sound far off down the street-Br-m,
br-m, br-m, br-m. Listen
sister, he said, cts the drums, they're
having the parade!" Nearer and near
er came the sound-Br-m, br-m.
br-m. br-m, br-m. I'll wheel you
down to the gate and perhaps we can
see where it is"
Way, way off Richard thought he
could catch glimpse of blue coats and
waving flags. AS he watched they
came nearer, nearer, and nearer, un-
til he could see them quite plainly.
Baby he cried. "baby, I do be-
lieve they're coming right past our
house," He lifted her from her car
riage and helped her climb up to the
top Of the low gate-post where ne
could hold her by standing ON the
fence. On came the parade, with bands
playing and flags flying, on and on;
surely it was coming past their house.
At it's head rode man on a big black
horse. When he passed the gate
where Richard stood, he saluted and
Richard returned the salute In real
soldier fashion. That's our soldier,
he whispered to baby, land he's cap
tain of all the parade!"
It was indeed a big parade, and
when it was over Richard put baby
back in her carriage and ran into the
house. his cheeks red, his eyes shining.
He opened the door Of his mothers
room quietly and found her up in bed
feeling much better.
20 mother" he cried, 1.-The parade
came right by our house. and think
that nice captain asked to have 1t