Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1918-08-01

I
ut 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 striv-
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 Zizl Zizl Zipi
Bang Boom! Crash! Bangi Jack
never heard such tremendous noise
/ before Rushing to his bedroom win
dow, he gazed awestruck at the sight
| that presented itself to him. The VII
! lage was in fames-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
| splnters knocked Jack all in a heap.
WAR; he painted War" Yes, 1t
was war with q 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 Bang! 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.
| fearful explosion louder than any
| of the previous, left Jack daZed. At
| his feet fell one of the khaki figures,
beating the ground, striking the earth
with his hands and hoarsely calling in
choked, feeble-voice for help. Jack
was afraid at last. Not of bayonetS
or bullets, but of the wounded man,
for Jack did not know what to do with
him or for him. "I'll go and get help"
yelled Jack. He ran few yards,
stumbled and fell. Looking up, he
saw right before him in the midst Of
the uniforms, Old Glory! "The flag
was still therei Hurrahl Live for
my country, die for my country"
| flashed through Jacks thoughts.
Now 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.
Please" called Jack. ''Pleasel 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 il wavers, staggers.
Jack makes a supreme effort to rise,
/ but for him comes oblivion.
1t was 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 1t? What has happened
it?' The rising sun was paying it's
respects to Old Glory and Old Glory
was returning the compliment.
You're up early" said voice that
startled Jack into full wakefulness.
| 1t was the stranger.
YES" said Jack, II thought THAT
isl thought"
"What2" said the man, encourage
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 server
he prepared for all cases and for all
times. Even in this far-away 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 viii be serving your flag and
country.
Say, fellows, let me tell YOU some
thing. Railroading is my big busi-
ness, but my big pleasure is scouting.
I'm high up in both jobs, and as I'm
bringing my business to your town.
there is no reason why / shouldn't
NW-HWl