South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-23
The Flag in the Window
By Philip Bartholomew

she stopped and opened the pack
age. She was a little woman with
big eyes, and there were two red
spots of intense excitement on her
cheeks.
I've got my service flag at last, "
she said. holding 1t out to them.
"Oh, how I've wanted one. How
I've envied those women who had
one. But have one of my own now.
Just Think" And she held the flag
up plainly so they could both see it.
There are over o million of these
stars now and a thousand being add
ed each day. Why. soon the heay-
ems will be so bright with their light
those damn Huns Will have to hide
stopped rather embarrassed. Yuo
will pardon my swearing? 1 never
swore before the war; but you know
somehow it's the only way you can
express those people" Hugging her
flag tightly, she went quietly up the
stairs.
II was an hour later when Mrs.
Harvey, standing at the window and
admiring the flag she had hung
there, hearing the door opened,
turned. There in the doorway stood
David. his cap pulled over his face,
surly and defiant.
Have grub early, Ma. I've got a
date" and he walked slowly across
the room.
Look. David" his little mother
said excitedly. i've put up your
service flag" The boy turned.
well. then, you can take it right
down again" His mother looked at
him in surprise.
But. David" she said, you were
drafted"
yes. but got exemption" Both
his hands went in his pockets.
Exemption Then a troubled
look came over Mrs. Harvey's face.
The sudden thought that they might
have found him i'll came to her.
They didn't find anything wrong
with you. David?"
No" The boy shook his head.
80 don't go 10 worrying on that
score" As his mother looked at
him in surprise, he continued. II
got exemption on the ground that 1
had to support you"
support me-" There was pride
in her voice. IT can support my
self. I always have and" She
was going TO say: you. too" but
the boy interrupted her.
Go on; say ii. You have always
supported yourself and me. too.
Well. they amt goin' to trip me up
on that. I've already got a Job in
Syracuse as bartender and leave to-
night. and I'll send you money ev-
cry week" Mrs. Harv ey's voice was
soft when she spoke, for the thought
that her David might be thinking of
her comfort, n thought far from his
mind, came TO her.
You mustn't do that on my ac-
count, David. I'm still strong, and
this war" But again the boy in
terrupted her.
Il know what being a soldier
means. They drafted a lot OF the
gang. First the camps, getting UP
with the chickens. working all day,
no booze. Then the trenches, full
of bugs. sleeping in water. All for
thirty dollars a month. And in the
end getting shot. Not for me-"
Mrs. Harvey stood aghast. She
couldn't believe it. Slowly she went
over 10 David.
David" she said softly. Il know
I haven't been the right kind OF a
mother. / wasn't quite seventeen
when I married. and when you came
l had hardly outgrowE my dolls.
And then when you father died. it
meant working very hard, and was
always too tired TO pay much at
tention to you When I awolxe IL
was too late. David. You had grown
away from me-"
Don't worry about me-" the boy
said surlily. Il turned out all right.
I suit myself just as am" He
pulled his cap over his face and
started toward the door. I'm not
goin TO listen TO you blubber. It'll
be back tonight TO get NY things,
and We won't discuss this any more.
know what I'm doing" and on the
threshold he turned. And say. You
might take that rag down" With a
slam OF the door he was gone. with
the cry OF David" in hurt tones
from his mother. ringing in his ear.
For a moment Mrs Harvey stood
piteously watching the closed door.
Then she walked over and took the