The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-07-11

planned the wearing OF the colorS and
the high ideals that they represented
SIT is glorious to die for tie flag"
he said, ''but equally glorious to live
for it. and that living for it means
living for America, working and sJriv-
ing increasingly for the betterMent OF
all, One for all, all for one"
A powerful clubhouse chorus rem
dering THE Star Spangled Banner
under the leadership of the stranger
brought the informal gathering to
most enthusiastic end.
Jack was impressed very, very much
and strolled home lost in deep thought.
A person walking close by Jack would
have heard him muttering to himself,
Gee" and Gosh"
Boom! Boom! liz! liz! Zipl
Bang Boom! Crash! Bang! Jack
never heard such a tremendous noise
| before. Rushing to his bedroom win
dow, he gazed awestruck at the sight
| that presented itself to him. The viii
lage was in fiames-men were rushing
hither and thither shouting, calling
and yelling for help. Jack dashed out,
hatless and breathless. Bang! A
huge shell tore away half of his little
home. An awful rending, crashing up
| heaval followed. FLYING stones and
| splinters knocked Jack all in heap.
War" he painted, WAR" Yes, it
was war with a vengeance. Strug-
Cling to his feet, he raced EDWARDS
not knowing where to go, but onward,
in hope of being able to do something.
Bang Bangl All the while the most
unearthly shrieking sounds of flying
shells and bursting bombs, mixed with
the rattle of machine guns and the
| frightful roaring of the heavy cannon.
Khaki-clad figures rushed past Jack.
A fearful explosion louder than any
of the previous. left Jack dazed. At
beating the ground, striking the earth
with his hands and hoarsely calling in
chOked, feeble voice for help. Jack
was afraid ut last Not of bayonets
| or bullets, but of the wounded man,
| for Jack did not know what to do with
him or for him. SRI go and get help"
yelled Jack. He ran a few yards,
stumbled and fell. Looking up, he
saw right before him In the midst of
the uniforms, Old Glory! THE flag
was still there! Hurrah! Live for
my country, die for my country"
ngI 7,
Nov to help the wounded soldier,
now to help" A sudden singing
pain shot through Jacks shoulder. He
fell forward on his face. He eSsayed
to rise, but the eXcruciating pain was
too much for him. "Help! Helpw
he called. A sound of running feet
fell on his ears. Painfully turning his
thrObbing head, Jack saw some of his
boy friends. gazing fOOlishly at him.
PLEASED" called Jack. please! Oh,
YOU bOObs do sOmething-help, lift
me-" but nearby explosion had scat
tered the crowd. Toby. the village
stray dog, dragged itself by yelping
and was soon lost to Jacks view. The
flag! The flag! There it is again
this time in the hands of the new
conner. who holds it high in the air.
The figure holding it waivers, staggers.
Jack makes a supreme effort to rise,
hut for him comes oblivion.
1t was a beautiful June morning
when Jack awoke and sat up sud-
denly. He rubbed his shoulder,
scratched his head and blinked his
eyes. "Old Glory!" thought Jack,
where is it? What has happened
-? The rising sun was paying It's
respects to Old Glory and Old Glory
was returning the compliment.
You're up early" said a voice that
startled Jack into full wakefulness.
It was the stranger.
yes" said Jack, II thought THAT
isl thought"
"What?" said the man, encourag-
ingly.
That you were killed and that the
flag" went on Jack as he related his
dream of the night before. The man
laughed and asked Jack what he
would do for the wounded soldier, for
an Injured dog, for himself Jack
didn't know. He then asked Jack
what he would do in ordinary peace
times in emergency cases. Jack didn't
know. Neither did any of his boy
friends, who were beginning to come
out into the morning sunshine.
Don't you see" said the man, that
the best way to help your country and
flag is by being prepared to serve?
Be prepared for ali cases and for all
times. Even in this PARKWAY town,
at this present moment, you can be of
service. Every man, woman, boy and
girl and child from the top corner
of Alaska to the other end of Florida
can be of help if they only make a
little preparation. Help the men with
their work, prepare the way for the
great railroad that's on its way to you
and you will be serving your flag and
country.
"Say. fellows, let me tell you some
thing. RailrOading is my big bust
ness. but my big pleasure is scouting.