The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-09-08
OLD CAPTAIN
BY sleNE H. ANDERSON
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
), lsss, BY Mcclure Newspaper syndlcat.
TRAMP, tramp, tramp.
The boys are marching"

Tramp, tramp, tramp.
The boys are marching"
These words drfted to the ears OF
the gray-bcaded old soldier sitting by
the open window lost IN thought. Many
long years had gone by since he had
first heard those words sung. He could
see "the boys" seated before the camp
fire In 90, reading letters from home
or singing to keep up semblance OF
cheerfulness; or tranplng over miles
Of rutty roads, and singing to keep
their spirits up.
For many years, now, he had been
living with his oldest daughter and
her family. Yes, Susie had always
been kind and daughterly to him, but,
just the same, he didn't want to be
constantly reminded that he was get
ting old and feeble. 1t was FEATHER,
don't do this and Father, don't do
that you are too Old" or you are not
strong enough"
Every year previous to this one he
had marched with "the boys on Me.
mortal day, and each year had found
the number smaller ard smaller, until
this year there would be but five. As
"Old Captain, as he was fondly called
by the children Of the nelghborhood,
sat there lost In thought he was rude
~ brought back to The present by the
voices Of his daughter and her hus
band.
Father Is really too old to try to
march this Memorial day. We must
persuade him that It would be better
for him 20 SIT on the plaza and watch
the parade" Susie was saying.
Persuade him. Indeed Perhaps
this would be the last chance for him
no one knew whnt might happen be-
fore another year rolled by. A bit Of
the old lighting spirit was awakened
In the aged soldier He'd show them
thing or two! He had quite made
up his mind to march, and march he
would.
So each day, while Susie was busy
In the kitchen, "Old Captain crepi
softly upstairs to the spare room
closet, tucked a bit of his blue uni
form under his jacket, as softly crept
down again, and sat, apparently lost
in thought. in his favorite chair by the
window. BY and by Susie would come
In to tell him that she was going up
stairs to stralghten up the bedrooms
and to call her If he wanted anything.
0f course, he wasn't able to do any
thing for himself! Perhaps she
wouldn't be surprised As soon as he
thought she was safely out Of hearing,
he went to the shed back Of the house
and carefully hid that part of his unit
form. Each day he did this until
every part Of his uniform was care
fully hidden away.
Memorial day arrived but nothing
had been said to "Old Captain" about
not taking part in the parade. How.
ever, the time had come
Father, | don't believe you had
better march this year, You are not
strong enough, and I'm sure II would
he too much for you. You can sit on
the piazza and watch the parade as It
goes by. or course, you will agree
with me and see that | mean 1t for
your own good" Susie paused. ~
will point out the different people as
they near the house and 1t will be
Just as If you were there yourself
There, knew you'd understand"
1t was just as he had thought. He
wasn't even given a chance to remon.
strate; it was all settled without his
yes" or mo"
"All right, Susie. I'm going for
short walk about the farm" and he
pushed back his chair and walked
slowly from the room.
81 didn't think he'd take 1t so easy"
Susie remarked to her husband, after
her father had left the room.
ale didn't have much to say about
It, l must say" was the answer.
Meanwhile "Old Captain made
straight for the wooG.shed and with
hands trembling with excitement
donned his uniform, then made his
way "cross lots" to the meeting place
on the common.
The morning crept on and the time
came for the parade to pass the house.
"Where can father be?' asked Susie
of her husband. He would feel pref
ty bad to miss the parade. I've looked
everywhere around the house and have
called for him several times"
Just then the sound of music could
be heard.
Tramp, tramp, tramp.