Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1918-02-01

heart warm towards him.
Grandma Gregory went on knitting
sweaters, but she continued to deplore
the abstraction Of her first efforts One
day Alden was driving in his automO-
bile along lonely country road about
twenty miles from Hampden, when he
slowed up and fixed his attention upon
two brawny fellows lying on the
ground before a blazing fire of chips
and logs, smoking complacently.
Nearby a small spring stream had
evidently contributed to recent laun-
dry work, for hung over branch of
tree to dry were various articles Of
apparel. What particularly held the
attention of Alden were two sweaters.
In an instant he recognized them as the
stolen ones.
Alden identified them because of the
result Of whimsy on the part Of
their knitter to insert near their top
three narrow rows of red, white and
blue yarn. He got out of his car and
approached the two lOiterers.
"Taking it easy" he remarked, as
he seated himself on a log near the
others.
Eyes, boss" nodded the larger man
Of the two.
"Have a smoke with me, won't you"
invited Alden, extending his cigar case,
and then as the men proceeded to en-
Joy their selections, Alden added: 'Tve
taken fancy to those patriotic sweat
ers of yours. They look warm and
serviceable. Will you sell them?"
"Sell them" repeated one of the men,
and his face expressed suspicion and
uneasiness.
Eyes, I'll gladly give you FIVE dollars
apiece for them. You see"
And then Bryce Alden, the polite,
eloquent and impressive orator that
he was, went on to refer to the needs
Of the boys in the war. Further, he
alluded to the efforts and sacrifices
Of those at home providing comforts
for those across the ocean. He drew
vivid picture Of the charm and ex-
element of army camp life, as well
as of the real manhood that ought to
impel real patriot to join in the bat
tie for the right. Suddenly one Of the
men arose, gathered up the pendant
sweaters and rendered them to Alden.
"Take them for nothing, boss. l I'M
derstand you, and I am ashamed of
myself"
no" replied Alden, there's a dear
old lady at Hampden who will prize
their return" and he told them all
about Grandma Gregory. ''Be a man,
and you'll face a genuine welcome. l
trust to your honor, boys, and there's
little cash to help you along"
1t was the next afternoon when
grandma was seated on the porch knit
ting and Alden holding skein of yarn
that Alma was rolling up into ball,
when two men slouched up the gravel
path. One of them lifted his battered
remnant of hat.
IF you're Mrs. Gregory" he said
in subdued and embarrassed sort of
way, "I've come to bring back those
sweaters"
(which we STOLE" promptly added
his companion. Madam, we're down.
and-outers, but we both had mothers
nnan Ond yyafxro hnap coF ~ thinIyfnr
If you'll give these sweaters to us, OR
knit us some like them, and if it's true |
that we get all the grub we want in
the army and perhaps some honest |
glory, Jim and ! will enlist"
yes" asserted the other, 'and We'll |
pass the word all along the line for
the other good boys to join us"
Good for you" cried Alden, arising |
and warmly grasping the hands of the
two tramps. "You shall have the
sweaters, and true friends here, think !
ing Of you and proud Of you, just the
same as if you were old friends and
relatives"
Alma guessed that Alden had been
the motive power behind all this re-
occurrence. Her hand stole
into his and pressed it approximately.
And closer still was their mutual es-
TEEN when, month later, six stalwart
redeemed ex-tramps, proud and manly
In their brand-new uniforms, were
known all about the town as Grandma
Squad"