The Benson signal., 1916-05-27

wider horizons years before.
It was all blurred confusion to
Reuben as he was ushered on the plat
form and saw the sea of faces before
him. He could not distinguish an ac-
quaintance, and decided that his eye
sight was growing poor. By and by
as the mist cleared he saw Samantha's s
sympathetic face, and to that face he
talked when the time for his speech
came. Then Mr.. Whitney turned and
introduced "our honored citizen and
sole remaining veteran of the Civil
war, Mr.. Reuben Henshaw.', AS he
stood up. tottering little on his
wounded leg, there was a surprised
murmur at the rear of the tent among
a group of strangers.
Reuben fumbled for his manuscript,
gripped it tight, and sought out the
face that had never failed him. Then
he began his speech. "Fellow-citizens,
neighbors, friends" he began, your
chairman selected me to talk to you
about some of the bravest men this
town ever had. I've got it all writ
down here, but my specs amt workin'
right, and don't believe can read it..
Guess I'll jest have to tell it to you
after all. I'm wearin' gray today
feelin's toward the color. Them fell
lows that wore it fit jest as hard as we
did, and they got licked, and guess we
amt drawin' the color line very tight
now. didn't feel that way, though,
forty-f1ve years ago, when marched
out of this town in the fall of 81, along
with" Here followed the string of
fourteen names well-known and rever-
enced in the village. Reuben forgot
his audience and talked as he had
talked many times to the children and
friends who loved to hear his war
stories, giving kindly tribute to his
companions of campfire and battlefield,
telling of lonely pickets and forced
marches, dwelling upon acts of brav-
cry and fearlessness, till his hearers
thrilled with the recital and many eyes
were wet. At last the chairman was
obliged to touch him on the shoulder
and tell him his time was up; and he
sank into his seat amid thunder Of
applause.
There was one more speaker before
the governor should make the final ad-
dress Reuben, his mind freer now,
studied the young governors face as
he sat bending slightly forward to
catch the speakers words. Strange"
thought the old man, how much he
looks like Tom Dufield, my old tent
mate and chum. Tom was shot way
back in '64, long before this boy was
born. But he is strangely like; the
same alert, eager face, the look Tom
always had before battle. Poor Tom!
how tired he was that night we camped
below Hazel Run. Tom was almost
sick that night, anyway. I was a lot
stronger, and glad to take his place on
the picket line. Twas pretty hard to
keep awake, though. I couldn't help
tiff my feet-did stumble-my-
elt-as-though-" A sudden
jerk. why, / thought was boy OF
picket duty again; must have dozed."
And Reuben looked about in wonder
till his eyes found Samantha's face
again and rested there. Now the gov
ernor was on his feet. He was speak
ing. What was he saying? Reuben
leaned forward, his old hands with
their knotted veins clutching his
knees, his blue eyes filled with wonder.
Friends" the governor was saving.
before begin the speech | am here
to make, want to pay tribute to one
of your volunteers whom your speaker
has overlooked l have a father-he
is here today-who was also volun-
teer in 81. In Washington he met a
boy from his own state. They became
chums and terminates. They were to-