The Coolidge examiner., 1934-12-07

AFeAs ANl AAAA Nt rs NtA4. W ltA
the baudages were being changed
he found that he could not sea
He was blind
What a penalty 10 pay In the
fight FOR democracy.
One day they stood him up In a
line and some one pinned a medal
to hl1 breast and kissed him on
the cheek.
Afterwards II dawned upon him
that he had been honored.
But there had been no thrill. II
was all a part OF military regime
Theu they brought him back across
the ocean and placed him In a
school. lie learned 10 listen by the
pressure OF the hand and they
taught him a useful trade-that OF
making brooms. Finally ms full
iiedged broom-maker he went back
TO Charlottesville.
His mother was stlll alive and
he started the broom Industry in
the woodshed Of his home
His old mother would lead him
around as be sought 10 make his
sales.
Fanny. the war bride. had Sc
cured a divorce on the grounds OF
Gesertion. At least, that was the
reason the judge gave the public
In reality the magistrate felt that
no bright girl should be tied for
lie to blind Pete Kelly 10 pay for
a moments madness.
So In the back room Peter Kelly
worked on his brooms all day long.
He worked with his fingers but his
sightless eyes looked toward the
heavens. The eyes both saw an
pleaded. He was making brooms
which would make housework light
er. II was honorable employment.
There was the pleading that some
day his own townspeople would call
him forth and express their loyalty
10 him.
Every time a compensation check
came his mother used the opportu.
nifty to protest.
Its a fool you were. Peter" she
would say. whats the use OF the
money when you can't see nor hear ?
Your fine friends have forgotten
you. They gave you dinners when
you went away. But they won't
buy your brooms now"
Peter would shake his head.
1T takes time" be would say.
hut the rewards OF service are
sure"
Then one day two men called at
the house 10 see him.
They asked the mother II he had
really received the French decora-
ton FOR bravery. She proudly dis
played the cross.
Then they gave the invitation for
him 10 participate In the homecom-
Ing celebration. Peter was 20 have
a seat OF prominence on the plat
form.
Thus. at last. comes the hour OF
triumph.
Now the great hour has arrived.
Unable 10 hear a word said his mind
draws It's own picture. He hears
the speaker giving a word picture
OF the battle In which he fell. Lean
lng forward Ia his chair he mods
10 the audience. lie thinks he hears
cheers lie knows that they soon
will be calling on him TO say some
thing. lie knows-has known for
years-Just what he will say when
the time comes.
In the meantime the program
goes smoothly on. A local preach
or gives the invocation. A quar-
tette sings. The chairman intro
duces the speaker In a ten-minute
speech. The great man steps up
and CRATES. The entire assembly.
tired with sitting on folding chairs.
rises and sings America. The plat
form officials march 10 the rear OF
the hail The people start TO leave
the hall.
II Is not until the room has been
practically vacated by the noisy.
sweaty throng that the chairman
notices that Peter has been left
on the platform. He motions TO
the custodian to 20 to the platform
and bring him TO the door.
The custodian touches his arm.
The blind soldier interprets II as
his cue 10 speak. lie takes one
step forward and smiles. Then In the
heavy unregulated voice. so com
mon TO those who cannot hear. he
begins:
Fellow citizens. This tribute
which you have today paid me
touches my very heart More than
that. II justifes my philosophy Of
life. / have always believed and
still do believe that when one sac
rIfices for his country and his fel-
lowmen, sooner or later, the re-
ward will come. Sometimes it Is
long delayed. but II comes. The
mills OF gods grind slowly. Let the
little boys and girls here treasure
these words in their hearts"
A0ain tho cuctodfan touabad hfe