Evening star., 1948-08-29

steps laboriosly and said Now, what did General
Grace fight in? Tell me that
Three of the boys retreated gigglng But black-eyed
frankie showed his fine teeth and said The Civil War when
North fought against South and brother against brother
Mrs Mufty said, you're bright little boy"
She started away and then thought for tme behind her
the boys began to shnny up the horses hind legs Mrs
Muy fumbed deep in her black leather bag Come here"
she called Frankie you here, and he SLOWLY
She gave him quarter Now, she said next time come
past here want to tell me just what General Grace did
when he fought in the Civil War. Mind you find outv
frankie sained toward the icecream cart with the other
boys screaming behind
Mrs. Muty said to herself Wouldn't they be surprised
if they knew who was?" She crossed the street. pride warm
within her.
The taxi-dver the bareheaded man. all Fifth Avenue
would be surprised and Washington Square North In other
days. other people had lived at Washington Square North
and most of them had known Mrs. Michael Mufty But
there were few left to know her.
ALL people, she said herself would be surprised She
realized that them General Grace only matter of
nine noted statues g1my composite of nine differently
shaped and nine differently shaped horses towns
on battlefield SITES the hill of Arlington He General
Grace jauny and youthful amid the shadows of Lincoln and
Grant and the Abe Lincoln sad Fouscore seven
years ago. Sherman said War is hell" U. S Grant said
LET them keep their horses they'll need them for spring
poughng. Spike Grace said Come along, boys, you'll
never die any younger"
They carved his marble coonnades but thus far
had carved Polly Wales beside it, although
seemed that they should and lately Mrs Mufty had to
believe that they should her WE'LL for she
was Poly's sister.
Shadows growing shorter and the air growing hot She
stopped to fan herself was hot in New Jersey too when
Mrs. Mufty only eight years old
6" remember she had said to audiences who longer sat
rapt at her words remember the first day General Grace
to house. He commissioned captain then
He and my brother John had recently left West Point Father
wagon to the station but they missed it and had to
walk. -. / sat the steps, with my doll. -"
All these little crosses, these ra stems of weedy memory
she had lifted bit by bit from quiet waters of the past she had
them pressed in her album fiat and tangible.
And than memories she owned, locked in steel box
under her bed There other treasure of course but she
let the Manhattan Trust worry about that Her true
treasure locked vault She slept above it each
night and dared take it from her
In Office of Peeson and Brothers, Publishers Mr. Dick
Peelson sent for his editor Mr. Drunmond.
Fred asked Mr. Peelson, have you read this Jardme
book?"
Young Mr. Drummond came around the desk and bent
down. When he familiar orange cardboard box cranmed
with white pages he smiled That's the manuscript gave
Ralph" he said. Silver Sword, by Margaret Jardine
What do you think of it?'
Mr.. Peeson fingered his gray mustache. Ralphs quite
favorable" he said Here's his report"
Drummond read the report and grinned Il think it's all
true and III multiply his verdict by two: it's remark
able biography of great soldier Have you read YOURSELF
he asked.
Peelson nodded and filled his pipe II called you because