Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-06

actly as he had often tucked the
| wretched old rag of quilt in his mis-
cradle home. Then he dreamed. not
of food, nor of the Crowned One. but
Of the soldier boy in brass buttons.
Presently voice said:
Most of us find what we are looking
for, if only we search carefully and
give enough time to it. The stars are
coming out. Surely we shall be able to
find the flag without lantern. 1t was
taken from the camphor trunk today
and hung out to air.
what is that on the ground under
the carriage"
"It's our dear old Stars and Stripes"
Lift it gently! / don't like to see It
on the ground under dusty, unused
! carriage. You can't lift it? Let me-
"Wait minute! What is this?''
+, what is this?"
| To Garibaldi it all seemed part OF
his dream, that as he looked he should
see stars above him-stars about him
stars everywhere!
: He murmured softly, my lucky
Star-my Lucky Star at last-at last.
Here Young man, get up out OF
! this! What are you doing?' asked
the Minister'S voice take that flag
away from him.
This was no dream Garibaldi Sob
bed: ooh, do not take my Lucky
Star! pray you do not take my
Lucky Star-the Star have looked so
long to find!"
Suddenly he felt himself lifted in
strong arms. He heard great feet
crunch. crunch noisily along the gra-
! yelled path. Behind him he saw the
Crowned One walking rapidly. Into
a glare of lights he was carried, lights
so bright that he closed his eyes,
blinded by their brilliance.
When he opened them again, there
stood the Slender White One. Carl
baldi looked for the Solder Boy, but
he was gone, brass buttons and all.
Garibaldi rubbed his eyes and gazed
| quickly from the Minister to the Slen-
der White One, then to the door
where the Crowned One stood almost
lost in the shadows.
| The minister placed Garibaldi upon
his feet still wrapped in the Stars
and Stripes to which he chung des-
perately. He took one short step,
SAYING
20 Slender White One, do not let
him take my Star away! All my life
have been looking to find my Lucky
Star. / wanted to live here and work
always for you in the garden. The
Crowned One there he pointed to his
friend in the doorl, he said the Minis
ter must not be bothered by children.
He said you must prepare for July the
Fourth and make a Great Feast and
that must go. WE'LL go.-but can.
not l keep this, my Lucky Star. to
protect me from my father. to keep
me warm when | am cold? The Stars.
so many, will assuredly bring me
bountiful luck and I will repay you!
Indeed, | will repay you"
The Slender White One said some
words in English which Garibaldi did
not know, and the Minister answered
her, also in words he could not under.
stand. Anxiously Garibaldi searched
their faces trying to guess those I'M
known English words.
With cry of joy he suddenly seized
the Slender White Ones hand and
kissed it. for had she not smiled a
smile which needed no words to tell
him all was well?
Then the Minister spoke to him say
ing
your Crowned One shall take you
and give you bath. Your Slender
White One will order at once some
slender white suits to be made. You
shall assist the butler to pass dishes
at the table. Furthermore. you shall
carry tomorrow, on July the Fourth,
the day of our Great Feast. the Lucky
Stars you love. That flag l cannot
give you to keep. 1t belongs to my
country, but you shall have one all
your own to keep forever, with Lucky
Stars enough to last all your life
if'-here the Minister shook his large
finger and said in deep, deep voice
=" IT, Garibaldi. you are good, good
bow"