Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1917-10-26
IDA BESTA FLAG"-THE GLORY
OF GOLD GLORY"
(EXtract From the Christian Evan
rcliSt.)


gelist.)
On n hot day in July, 1910, six
Americans from Illinois were travel
ing together in a compartment of a
European railroad coach in Italy near
the Austrian border The party con-
sisted of two young ladies and four
men, to-wit, the Librarian, the teach
cr, the lawyer, the Y. G.. A. secre-
tary, the merchant and the pars n.
Wearying of rather monotonous seem
cry these Americans found the So
cicty of each other more entertaining
variety of subjects,-thc weather,
politics, popular novels and current
poetry-were discussed and disposed
of with iinality.
Suddenly, in the midst of the ban
tcring conversation the attention of
the Americans was drawn TO TIE door
of their compartment. y man stood
there looking in upon them. They
saw ut once that he was an Italian;
but to return his prolonged stare was
embarrassing so they looked away
first to each other-then out of the
window-and then back again to the
door. The man was still there They
saw now that he was not only an
Italian, but Il decidedly villainous
Italian. His hair was black; his eyes,
if possible, were blacker. One was
badly cast, giving him sinister cx-
preston. His complexion WAS swar-
thy, even for his race; and one side
of his face hideously disiigured by a
long, cruel scar. He was dressed in
rather ill-litting suit of black and
pushed far back on his head perched
ridiculously small derby hat. He
wore soft shirt and red Windsor
necktle knotted at the rolling col
lar. His burly figure almost filled the
doorway and he gazed stolidly on the
occupants OF the compartment Il was
more than they could endure in 81
lence.
what wretched manners these for
eigners have" observed the INGREDIENT
81 never die have any use for n
dago," declared the lawyer, lighting
Il fresh cigar.
why, he's singled you out in par
ticular, Parson," exclaimed the mer-
chant
1t was true The Italian was star
ing ut the parson in strangely per-
Sonal manner. His eyes glowed like
i've Goals and his breast heaved as in
excitement.
by Jove, ! believe you're a marked
man." spoke the lawyer, feigning a
deep concern. "'rhe banditta is on
your traill"
Or, maybe the Black Hand is pur-
suing him." prompted the Y. NJ. C. A.
Secretary.
The parson looked uncomfortable
and addressed his companions in n
low voice. "This is getting to he Sc
rious. | don't like il! Hadn't | better
ask the Guard what this fellow
just then, as though in answer to
the inquiry. the burly Italian strobe
INTO the compartment Directly in
front of the parson he stopped and
laid a dirty finger softly, almost rev
erently, on a little American flag in
the minister's lapel.
"Oh, da fiag!" lie sad. ooh. da flapl
Da besta flag in all da world"
Inc SIX Americans arose as if some
Invisible power had hidden them rise
They stood stiny. wonderingly. The
parson took the little flag from his
lapel and pinned it on the Italians
$50, you like America" he asked
ms voice sounding strange and un-
natural. VII
LIKE America! l love Amcricai
Da besta countra in all da world! Da
oesta flag. that flies! Da redda, da
w!hita, da blue! | Iowa to hear Amer
lcans TAXA! | stan here Just to heara
you speak Americacano language. 1t
maKa music to my carsl"
me SIX citizens of the famous corn
belt exchanged troubled glances. The
Lawyer .grinned cynically. The Ital-
ian continued.
IL Iva ten years in Detroit | hada
wife an daughter. but they die and
are buried in America soil, da besta
SOIL in all da worl'. / coma back IN
Italia for becsness reason. When
1cenish go back to your countra
ana my countra now! When ! die I
nope | sleepa in that countra, da he's.
tn countra in all da world, under da
besta flag that fles,-da reda. Ja
-. Il 4