Evening star., 1918-05-26
The House ON Wolf Ridge - Decoration 1zx Sz9E
Story

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ing like evil birds. How Corporal
Lanton Barnes rushed to their aid
and-the minister paused and folded
the letters and paper.
He died in the hospital among his
own people," added the minister,
gently. you will wish to read these
later"
They were not listening. these two
pale women. The six words Cor
summed all for them and they faith
omed nothing more.
Next Sunday" the minister pres
emily resumed in his gentle, persua-
sive voice. I'VE will place gold star
on our honor flag for sLanton Barnes
one Of their youngest went down gal
lantly, nobly doing his best. Before
Decoration day we will place a cross
near the old hero. with the name and
great ending Of the young hero. My
dear. good women, there are not many
families with two real heroes to
honor. You have that to be thankful
for. I have come to ask all of his
family to be present on Sunday. when
the gold star will be placed on our
service flag. By that time the cross
Of honor, pinned on his breast before
he died. will have reached me. He
named me as the person to be notified
here and tell you. The Judge also has
something to tell you"
The Judge drew his chair closer.
Il am the bearer of a message from
my wife. She would have coIAe her
self. but there are no roads on Wolf
considered that like most people when
such affiiction falls upon them, you
might be unprepared with mourning
suitable to appear on Sunday, when
your presence Is so much desired. The
time is short. SO she has selected what
all she can do for him." he added,
noting look Of rejection in the as
pect OF both women. 1T shall be as
you say. but We both hope you will
let US do this much for him. Your
son left an insurance for your benefit"
Judge. air he sure-gone? Annie
Ann asked. Maybe it might be like
his grandpap-nigh dead en- come
back?''
He is dead and laid to rest in
France. Our honors and decoration
wreaths will be to his memory"
Then what good air the money!"
she said. hopelessly, "if there amt
nothin' to do for him?''
Sunday beamed with the half mocking
brightness and breezy sweetness of joy
GUS weather. Much had happened, but
Annie Ann took small cognizance Of
anything. She went about here work in
stoical calm, her face set like stony
mask. The neighbors came from over
the ridge and on Sugar Loaf mountain
to cheer all they knew how. Aunt Sary
came up the ridge, anxious to tell them
what to do.
They're maxim such fuss over
what Lanty did. Bein' I'm his own dear
aunt. l came up to see that You look
decent" she informed them. 1.-THE Lord
knows you haven't proper clothes for no
time, SO / brought my black serge suit.
I've wore it five years, and now I've got
new thirty-dollar one to wear myself
and l don't grudge you the loan Of it."
1.-The judges wife sent some things"
was the dull answer.
''Well, now, that's somptum. She'd
have a lot of cast-offs. What'd she
send?"
"They were new. but didn't take 'em
out" was the unmoved answer. eff
Lanty had done what ] told him en-
worked in the mills. he'd made money.
When he and the others wanted more
wage they should just banded together
and not hit lick of work. ships or no
ships, guns or no guns, till they give 'em
more He'd been livin' en- rakin' in
money promiscuous like
"Sary," interrupted granny in stern
scorn. 1.-THE Barnes air soldiers fight
in for their country-they amt plumber
in 1t. They can face them fighters
when they come home, SO brave en- true,
en- ask the why of no ships en- no guns
money en- the money of the likes Of you
kin tell 'em all they're askin' -
Never had church held a greater
crowd or more interested crowd. Annie
Ann and granny were there, and the
two boys in the front seat, but not old
Tfvn LT1 ta1x 10 Gil
where except far back. where no one
could see him.
The preacher was no orator. but in
his own soulful way and meek mel
low voice he told the thriilisg.- he
France-short, tragically eloquent
and. climaxing all, held up to view
the cross of honor. Even Annie Ann
leaned forward. her face tenderly
fearful and aglow with loving pride.
Barnes worthy of his grandsire.
This year" concluded the earnest
preacher, I'VE decorate with honor
wreaths and crowns Of blooming
and perhaps the lingering spirit Of
another. a boy in years. with a trail
of heroic deeds behind him."
Old Jim waited beside the judges
automobile. which was to take them
where the mail wagon would carry
them UP the traiI-home.
Annie Ann,' he said. without cir
cumlocution. I'm leayin' you-the
trains comm in fifteen minutes. It's
Sunday. but tain't no harm. I'm goin
only forty-seyen. The judge has fxed
1t up for me. I amt goin' to hev 'em
say when I'm dead. Don't put that
wuthless old cuss anywheres nigh his
father en- son."
"Oh, Jim," gasped Annie Ann,
you're all right"
"Tnat's what the boy said. when he
spoke me last" Jim broke In unmind-
ful Of the gathering crowd. "ff live
to get to France I won't shame you
none. Goodbye. old Eira."