Tensas gazette., 1916-12-08
OLD GLORY LEADS
By ,zoLA roRaesrER.

stepladder and surveyed the town
halls Memorial day trimmings. They
were meager In spite of all good IN
,tentions. %Ns -
of July bunting and fiags, some oio
portraits of Grant and McClellan, Lin
coin and Stanton: and two old army
muskets crossed over the, front door.
"As long as we haven't any, veterans
left" ~..(s,}' ~. ..t -
She stopped short. Buell. Center, was
fearfully short on spectatles OF any
kind. ts.-y -
There's old Mr.. Mi1lard-"@ -, =,
: Kit stopped. too. and frankly 2gis-
gled. - .-si,.,t.
IF he'd. be willing to, let you take
any of his relics" r .f.,S
But they'd be Southern" ~
"Just Virginia. Everybody loves
Virginia. Anyhow, who'd lmow which
side they came from?,s<S. 49, ...et
IF you'd ask Wsh, Kit, he'd get
them for you" Il
Il won't ask him. He told me the
whole thing was an idiotic mfxup that
should have been avoided by cool
heads and he said the North should
have paid for every slave and not I'm
poverished the South, and,he said, that
cotton and politics lay at the back OF
it,
"Then we must get them" In all
emergencies Orrie rose supreme to
trifiing obstacles. .t
That morning about II as old Mr..
Nillard came slowly and painfully
along the old stone-flagged walk from
the we'll to the barn, he faced two Wis
itors-Kit in her very prettiest gown
of white. with little green and pink
sprigs. and big white hat dropping
around her face. and behind her Or
rie, plump and positive. p
When they reached the side porch
of the old house in which he had lived
alone for years, Kit stated their er-
rand. Could the Daughters of the Vet
erans borrow his war relics?
Il amt got any folks buried up this
side of the line," he said shortly. Il
reckon don't want to show any
thing"
"Oh, but please: we haven't hardly
anything" Orrie broke in, and for Is
minutes the two argued, one on each
side of the old chap, begging and ex-
planning. When they finished. there
was a subdued twinkle in his eyes,
and he looked at Kit.
"Ain't you the girl my Waits been
going WITH" he asked cheerfHly. gfUp
to her forehead, Kit blushed. but stood
her ground.
Then why don't you get HIM on
your side, too? He wouldn't shoulder
a gun if all creation was climbing over
his back fence. He'd 60 out and read
a book at them and offer to take down
the fence to save them the trouble Of
climbing over it." =
"Mr. M!llard," Kit leaned forward
now in dead earnest, you're the only
man left here in Buell. who knowF'real-
ly what war ts. Won: you get tiqp and
make a speech tomorrow" -,
me? Never made a speech in my
life. but believe in being ready" He
thumped the porch heavily. And
what happened back in 81 amt nei-
ther here nor there when 1t comes to
what's best for today. You can have
all my things If you'll get Walt TO say
he'd fight II the rest had to. That's
all-that he'd fight If the rest had
to-"
WELL" gasped Orrie as they went
back to the village, IF that wasn't de-
licious! Now, we'll have to see. Walt"
I'll see Walt" Kit answered firmly.
and when they came to the main street
up she went all alone, to the little law
office that Walter Millard had opened
up over the drug store. The color left
his face at sight of his visitor, but he
was grave and courteous and listened
to all she had to say.
You know how feel, Kit" he said
finally. Il can't go back on my prin-
ciples just because it's Memorial day"
Then you needn't come to see me
again." Kit flashed back at him. Il
wouldn't marry any man who wouldn't
fight if the rest did, just as your grand
father says" &,
Yet all the success Of the ceiebra-
tion could not take away the bitter
ness and hopelessness. They were
both college bred, children of the later
day bringing up in the little New
England town. and proud. Kit, stand
ing beside the other girls on the little
green, listened while the two select
men and the town doctor made their
speeches, followed by the preacher
and the superintendent Of schools in
this district. rs
Orrie helped him down, and then Ia
boriously but resolutely old Mr.. MIL
lard took his place. A cheer went up
from the crowd, and he smiled Right
in front OF him was Kit sexpectant and
wide-eyed, and behind her > tau and
silent, stood Walt.
What I've come here to say, friends
and neighbors," began the old chap
what l come here to say is this: I
amt any speechifyer nor orator, and
amt sorry that fought for the side I
believed was right. nuther, but I do
say this today-United we stand, d.
vided we fall Let's stand together.
back to back, and follow where the old
flag calls. That's my message Walt.
get up here and echo It,"
He stumbled down, and Kit watched
in breathless suspense as Walt stepped
forward. There was heavy hush
now. Everybody knew young MiIlard' 8