Evening star., 1934-07-22
Il Story WW
AU Remember.
By the Anth0r
of ''Cabin
IN the Cotton. "

.sMature men achieve" Oliver said. He
laughed patting Josh's back. Il am DID, ana
old men remember-it is all they can do But
Young folks-why, young folks dream dreams.
They dream dreams-but old men remember
At sammy,s of evenings there were dancing
and laughter and eggnog and song The boys
emf holIv tree and the girls decorated 1t in
the living room Sammy drank eggnog and
sat in the chimney corner. his pale eyes run
ming water and his lips trembling, as he plead
ed with oliver to turn over the five thousand 10
his son Billy to clear the debt. Oliver hungered
to wiring Sammy's old neck.
In the fair cold days Oliver walked the bat
tlefeId with Barbara, hunting battle relics to-
eether. and finding with her fraternity ne did
not know with his kin He realized the nori-
zons of himself and kindred were as remote as
were the old Yank and rebel principles. ne
and Barbara walked and prowled and nao long
eloouent silences together. He loved ner WIN
an old mans deep-rememoered love. Oio nien
remember because they cannot forget
The day before Christmas Oliver went 10
M,Irfreesboro on business and returned late
Sammy eyed him sourly.
where you been?
"Ah-in town on business.
sWhat sort of busineSs?'
"Just little matter of my own concern
at know what kind of business, dad-ourn
vour time. oliver Hartford" Sammy rose
snarlingly. "You fixing to give that there
money to that DANCED ga"
It was Christmas eve, and the living room
otter sumner was crowded and noisy, with the
children packed around the base of the Christ
The holiday spirit, properly encouraged with
an abundance of eggnog, did that, OhVer HART
ford thought whimsically
What can old men do but remember! II
vuha he
Juices of youth what he knew when his Drittle
bones were marrowleSs with age, 1t would All
have been different. If only old men couio
remember forward, instead of backwardl
The gifts were fast being cut from the tree.
back to one Oliver Hartford had hung tnere
a little while before.
Barbara took the gift, tucking 1t under her
arm until she had opportunity TO unwrap IT,
Oliver Hartford watched. AT iast barpafa
broke the cord and tore away the wrapper. She
stood arrested with astonishment, Whlcn De
came iov and dazed wonder when she saw that
il was deed to the Overall farm, made from
oliver Hartford to herself Her eyes came, oy
some spontaneous power of direction, stralgns
to Oliver Hartford's.
She went swiftly to him, there in the aura
of half-light and for a deep moment they
looked into each others eyes. Abruptly the
stern old man took the soft young woman into
his aged arms. and the years fell away and ne
kissed her Little matter that others saw tne
kiss, for nothing msttered but the memory:
You gave that farm to me?" Barbara wnls-
pered.
Oliver Hartford laughed tenderly, in far-on
mirth mo honey" he said. IT gave 1t to
her 1t only happens that she lives on within
YOU so that may hand my dead memories on
to the living memory" He smiled tenderly.
He went a moment later to the telephone
and called the garage at Murfreesboro, and
soon his auto was waiting at the gate. He
tossed his effects into a grip, donned his Fed
eral great coat and cap, and went out. The
chauffeur put his grip into the car and gently
assited Oliver Hartford to enter. The man
touched his cap.
Where, sir?"
Oliver Hartford waved toward Nashville.
toward the north He said I'VE go to Join up
with Rosecrans."
YES sir"
into the night