The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-23
Michael Sees
The End

1Hs pels IN the tower were sayinE
strange things to Michael, despite the
1as Una everybody said that the war
Was over. Once more he sat on the
SuIp ana leaned his chin IN his hands.
Dul twisted leg was stiIl
httetched out across the curb, and hIg
ntIie worn crutch lay beside II. The
Deils were talking to him, who was
my eleven, Just as II he were a big,
stTohs man, and his hear ached with
responsibility He had made his last
payment on his Liberty bond only yes
IeIuSy, and his mother was so proud
Mnen she came in from her days
down at the hotel that her
sIed hands n feet forgot to hurt.
ohe mad worked so hard TO helm him
make the payment that he cauIdn't
OeaI TO tell her what the bells were
SAYING now. But he must find some
way 70 aid his country in this Victory
ioah that the papers were beginning TO
ssik about, and he couldn't ask Mi
pote his ! editor. to take his
naa an added responsibility. Nobody
teased him about having no family in
the war, for Pete, the only one who
nag ever done It,, "a dead. He died
holalng Michael's hand. He had prom
seq Fete that he would brother Dan,
Fete's big soldier brother, when he
came back from France. TELL him /
was proud Of him, Mike! Hug his old
IeG light for me, and tell him I
couldnt walt, but to take you in nv
Riacel' once more Michael promised.
tomorrow Dan was coming home.
GET a move on yer, Mikel" shouted
a boy come back for papers. But MI
ehael only choked back a sob. He was
100 old to cry now; he had been
through war and death. Now, not only
was Dan coming. but tens Of thousands
OF other boys to be 'brothered." Boys
and hearty; boys without legs
or arms; boys blinded to the beautiful
n taken care Of by the power which
mad sent them out. His country must
not ulsappoint them. But II her people
dld not tand squarely by her, she
would have to break her word.
I'm not crying! No, I'm mott
crutch thumped noisily through the
vstlbule, on to the office, right into the
EDITORS sanctum.
What's the trouble, Mlke?' Mr..
Foster looked up from his writing and
MS eyes rested reverently upon the
one goa star service flag-his sacrifice
that the nations might be free,
There amt nobody to brother Pete
Flannigan's Dan but me, and I prom
1sed!' Michael blurted out. And II
somebody don't brother every blessed
guy. OF EN- that's comm back, they
gill ! uutnlH 10 democracy!
well. what are you going to do
about 1t, Mixer"
Michaels breath came faster and
until there was crimson all un-
der the freckles on his cheeks. III my
country needed a hundred dollars for
a starter from me, she needs a thou
now to help her wind up her bust
ness. amt got nuthin' to sell, but
and my crutch, sir. Would you buy
LIB for a thousand dollars? Wed be-
ong to you just as long as you say, II
you'll only help us serve our country
he only way W CAM"
With eyes that saw only a sunken
grave beneath a wooden cross in Flan-
field; with ears that seemed to
lear in the voice of the crippled lad,
he tones Of the big, brave son he had
,iven. Mr.. Foster slowly gathered the
little figure, crutch and all, into his
arms. Let 1t be forever,
ny ,boy!" he whispered. 1.-THE Victory J
'ond is yoursl" {
What are you doing to help your
country wind up her big business7 s
Are you buying Victory bonds? {
VIRGINIA FRAZER BOYLE. t
Permission Fourth Federal Reserve, {
Cleveland, Ohio.)