The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-11
THE LETTER.
BY Lillian B. Newton.

Copyright. 1891. by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Inc.)
Grandmother Arnold was sitting
on the porch where she would be
the first to see the postman as he
drove along the dusty road. She
watched from her rocker by the
kitchen window in the winter, and
nothing could induce her to move
until the daily mail had come.
Grandmother's great daily event
was the arrival of the mail. but SO
far the letter which would be the
big event of her whole life had
never come.
Have l a letter, daughter!" The
question had been asked every day
for years as her sons wife came
up the walk from the post box and
her morning chat with the mail
carrier.
mot this morning, dear" So she
had been answered every morning
for years. Grandmother sighed
gently. She had begun to sigh
lately when the daily disappoint-
ment was announced, but she al
ways added quickly: 1T must come
soon. they can't wait very much
longer" the dear old voice trailed
away with the thought that she
might leave before it should come.
Il have . letter from Teddy. Jr."
said her daughter. He expects his
discharge by July I, 80 he will be
homo for the governors speech and
the dedication of the memorial tab
let on the Fourth"
Three home comings from war,
I have seen," said grandmother
land yours is the happiest, daugh.
ter, because you will have your
boy back without 4 scar. Grand
father Arnold came homo to spend
his life in . wheel chair after his
collision With the rebel cannon
ball which carried away his legs
Baby Jane was asleep under the
old maple with good dog Towsel
guarding her. Son Teddy, your
husband. and I were blowing the
field with old white horse Nan that
morning in spring when they
brought him home 50 many year.
ago, 20 many years ago"
And You have been waiting even
since then for that letter."
mo, no, dear. not ever since. II
was several years after. when ar
agent came to our house. I was
bringing in the milk and father
had supper all ready. He could
wheel about the kitchen easily. sc
he insisted that II I did his WORT
he must do as much Of mine as pos
sible. The agent ate supper with
US, then he talked with father dur
ing the evening. But he couldn'
convince father that a pension
wasn't IN attempt on the part o.
politicians to buy up the legs h,
had lost on the battlefield. Father
said NO man could give him none,
enough to pay for them and Uncl,
i Sam couldn't either.
~ gave those legs in love to m,
country, and I'd have given my lif,
as willingly he said, but I would
MT sell my life or my legs for an.
money to any man or any country
All / ask 10 thanks and a word O
appreciation from the country
was honored to serve
IA word Of appreciation! Onl,
= word Of thanks said the agen
Hooking incredulously at father
who looked very handsome sit
ting there in his wheel chair will
his black eyes flashing under hi
heavy hair. The agent was puz
zled, he hadn't met many men VIII,
preferred q certificate Of apprecia
ton and thanks from Uncle San
in place Of cold cash. But he agree,
to settle the claim that way.
"No claim says father, shor
and quick. Just a sons wish t,
hear his father say well done
Finding that he couldn't chang
father, he went away. and it wa
then we began to wait for the let
tier from Uncle Sam which Shout,
bring us the certificate. Man,
times we've planned how we coul,
hang and frame Il and father use