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BRAVE COMRADE COX. How He Saved Himself and Another One Decoration Day. f N A little Pacific const town a few year ago lived an old grand army man who was as unique a character as ever shouldered a gun or wore the blue. Cle nientc Cox was a liv ing relic of our civil war. He might prop- i i v... P T T tf 11 UVII VUIIVVJ hardy olil name was not all that it had been before he first made it a turgot for confederate guns. He Raid there had been enough of hiiikshot away to rnuke another fair-sized soldier. And yet to see him get around one would not think there was much of him missing. Sad to relate, Clemente had a weakness which brought him into disrepute. He had an unappeasable yearning for fiery drink. John Uarley-Corn was his master, and un der Ilia baneful powerjioor Clemente's life had become well-nigh a wreck. To such a pass had his insatiable thirst for burning beverages reduced him that he was often times thrown upon the charity of friend mid the grand army post in which he still claimed membership. Ilia wife, poor wom an, was in despair over him and feared that some awful end awaited him. He contrib uted but little to the maintenance of the household, and Bhe was afraid that would be taken from her. With tears in her eyes she would say: "We were not always so poor. When we first came to California wt were quite well off and had things rea nice, but Clemente took to drinking and got out of work, and things went from bad to worse, until now we haven't enough to keep soul and body together. Clemente used to have some self-r&pect and kept himself as straight as anybody, folks used to call him 'Col. Cox,' but now it's 'Old Cox.' Ah, me, when a man gets to going down-hill you can't Ktop him with a barb-wire tence. Thus the sorrow-laden soul would relieve hersolf of a mite of her misery and enlist the aid of sympathizing friends, without which her existence would have been wholly devoid of cheer. At rare intervals Clemente would brace up without the aid of spirituous stimula tion. and his old-time manhood would mo. uientarily assert itself. He was a good sort at the core, and in his semi-colons of sobriety would rail upon himself for his "hog-headed low dowuishness," as he termed his way wardness. For a brief period he would be "a mau and a soldier ugain, but the seduc tive stream which sweeps so many human wrecks down into the sea of sorrow would swirl around him again and his sadly im paired strength of purpose would succumb to the terrible tide. Hut there was one day in the year upon which Clemente would always be found iobcr and right minded. Ihat was JJeco ration day. He would bring out his old shot-worn suit of blue, which all the rest of the year reposed in camphorated security in a closet, and smooth it out tenderly and reverentially. W ith it on, and a gen eral cleaning up, the old soldier would "hist up his 60 years, and give folks something of an idea of how he looked when he fought, bled and all but died for the union. He could throw off some of the years for the time, but he couldn't limber up that stiffened leg that had Btouned a confederate bullet nor con ceal a livid scar across his temple that bore witness to the deadly work of a southern THE BRAVE RESCUE. saber. Yet when his old "comrades" got in line for a parade, Clemente would throw out his chest and mark tune as chipperly as the youngest of them. It w-as while on parade one Decoration day that Clemente was suddenly transformed ' from a despised vagabond into an honored 'hero, and his course in tife changed for the better. On that day nature had put on her best garb as if in celebration of the event, and seemed to vie with men in efforts to fittingly emblazon the earth with bril liant tributes to the glory of the departed heroes of the nation. The town whs gor geous with beautiful blossoms and bright banners, and the holiday spirit presided over all. Civic and military authorities had made preparations for a record-breaking celebration, and the grand army posts turned out to a man. The city hall was the first center of inter est, as it was there that the patriotism of the public speakers was to be on tap at the beginning of the day's programme. Ited faced, loud-voiced orators regaled the pop ulace with lofty flights of pyrotechnical elo quence, and proudly puffed and panted amidst the rolling waves of applause that all but overwhelmed thera. Prominent cit izens were out in force, in carriages and afoot, to take part in the grand procession, which was to be the principal feature of the day, and women and children thronged the streets gay with the colors of "Old Glory." Truly, such a turn-out had never before been witnessed in the town on any occasion, and the hearts of the gray veterans were filled to overflowing at the splendid demon stration in honor of their old-time comrades who slept beneath the sod. And fuller and prouder than all the rest was Com rade Cox as be took his place in line when the procession was forming. Hut it was not with the juice of the corn that he was full this time. It was pure patriotism and pride, and so full was he of his feelings that he could not con tain himself, and tbnt wa9 why he over flowed at the eyes, and bright drops rolled down his furrowed cheeks and dripped off the ends of his grizzled beard. f "Atlenlion, company!" was the com mand. "Forward march! and the creaky joints of the old campaigners limbered up to the inspiring strains of "Marching Through Georgia." Crowds of cheering peo ple lined the streets on both sides, and door ways and windows were choked with women waving nags and handkerchiefs, .through the principal thoroughfares marched the pro cession and out toward the main cemetery, just beyond the outskirts of the town. bile the enthusiasm of the people was at its highest there came agonizing screams from a number of women who were seated in a family carriage at the intersection of one of the cross streets. The horses became frightened at the band and the general up roar, and reared up and bolted, nearly upset ting the carriage, throwing its occupants to the ground, all but one, a young girl of about 12 years, who clung desperately to the seat as the team (lushed wildly inte the midst of the procession. 1 here was a wild scramble in the ranks of the old veterans as the horses plunged through their section of the line. They broke ranks in the wildest disorder and jumped aside to save themselves, only one of their number remaining in the path of the plunging horses. I hat one was Comrade Cox. They thought his "Wilderness leg had anchored him, or that perhaps he was BORNE ALONG IN TRIUMPH. too dazed to move. But no, that wasn't it. for he threw up his hands and grasped the bridles just as the horses were right upon him. He was swept along by the animals in their wild charge to what seemed certain de struction'. A sudden hush came upon the people, and for a moment they gazed awe-struck at the tragedy that seemed to be impending. In another instant the cooler minds began to act, and several men sprang after the run-, away team, which, being hampered in its movements by the weight of Clemente at the bits, had not made much headway. The maddened animals were soon overtaken and brought up with a turn. Then the people swarmed about the trembling horses, ex pecting to see a maimed and broken man, but they beheld Clemente still clutching the lines and appealing to somebody to look after the girl in the carriage, who had faint ed from fright and fallen from the seat. When it was found that nobody was in jured a tremendous shout went up for Cle mente. He was picked up and borne upon the shoulders of his comrades back into line and ' was not permitted to march an other step that day. A platform was ex temporized and carried by a dozen vete rans, upon which he was borne like a con quering hero. After the exercises at the cemetery he rode back to town in the car riage of his post commander, and was the recipient of marked attention upon every hand. But the greatest honor to his mind that was conferred upon him was the set of resolutions and a badge for life saving presented to him by his post, und a return to full membership. That was the turning point in Clemente's downward career, and old as he was, he said he was going to begin life all over again. He stuck to his guns, and the man who thereafter absently invited Comrade Cox to "have something" met with a very blunt refusal. FRANK II. WELCH. Their Fame Coes Marching On. There are more graves to decorate this year than last, and the grass is just begin ning to grow upon some of them. The heads of the survivors are grayer, too, and their steps less firm. Those who were boys when the first shot was fired at Sumter, who were raw recruits at Bull Bun and who won their spurs at SWloh, were sober men when the war was over. (Such a conflict leaves abiding traces on heart and bruin and strikes the youth forever out of the soldier. Thus it was that hardship and privation, as well as wounds, sent home many a prematurely aged man. That was 33 years ago, and they have been dropping steadily by the wayside. Surely it must have cheered them to see the yearly "tribute so gladly paid to their old comrades and to know that on the nation's roll "dead" and "forgotten" are not eyu onymous terms. Antietam Battlefield Park. Old soldiers who participated in the battle of Antietam will be interested to learn that the work of making a park like that at Get tysburg and Chickamauga on that historic field is very well advanced. Since Col. George W. Davis, of the army, took charge as superintendent work has been pushed rap idly and with more economy, it is said, than in nny similar enterprise. The battle field, naturally a beautiful landscape, is now bi sected with good macadamized roadways, a handsome, observatory has been erected, from which the lines of battle have been marked by competent engineers after con sultation with those who were engaged in the fight, and permanent tablets have been erected at several points to identify spots of unusual interest. William K. Curtis. Milllons Honor the Day. See what a marvel 30 years can accomplish! Some three decades ago a few faithful and patriotic souls conceived the idea of a day devoted to the decorating of the soldiers' graves. The idea struck fire in responsive souls, and now it has spread until it calls millions to its aid. Flowers are dedicated to its uses in every town and hamlet in the land and eager eyes watch the bursting of each bud, lest it be not blown in time. Ten der hands lay the blossoms on the silent breasts of the brave, and so the spirit of patriotism marches on! The Lesson of the Day. What a beautiful parable one may read iu this sweet custom of decorating the sol diers' graves with flowers! The seeds them selves, buried in darkness all winter long, have freshly sprung into beauty and fragrance. So the sacrifice of these heroic lives has burst into peace and a national love so strong that nothing more can break it. The bleak cod of January is covered now with fresh grass, its biades glistening in the sun, just as sectional hate is buried under the rain bow glory of a united Bag, forever. HAIL DECORATION DAY. Carland the Craves of the Dead and Cheer the Living Heroes. H EY are missing! Call the roll, 0 sol dier! Ah! the miss ing, what a long, long list of names. Where are they? Ask of Manassas, of Antietam, Fredericks burg, Yicksburg, Get tysburg, C hi c k a mauga, Petersburg, and the fifteen hun dred ot her battlefields of the long ago. But these do not account for the miss ing all, great as was the carnage. Where is the remainder of those millions of heroic men who fought so well and who endured so much for the sacred cause of liberty? The survivors are many, but the roster of the dead is greater. ' Here we have the pathetic side of Deco ration day. I he youngest of the soldier braves of the civil war, the beardless, rosy cheeked innocent boys who helped to storm the heights of Lookout mountain, those of them that are living, have passed into the autumn days of graying hair and gathering wrinkles, l or a full generation has passed since the last act at Appomattox. Thirty three years! These boy heroes have man ned, and their sons have soub of their own, who listen with bated breath to the ftir- IN MEMORIAL. In sweetest brotherhood We scatter the buds of May Let the flowers fall over one and alL For we know no blue nor gray. ring tales of the former days told by their honored giandsires. Ah! in those passing 33 years do we find the other missing. What a frightful gap have they made in the ranks of what formed the great review at Washington! Year by year the number grows smaller. It is a law no man may escape that age must come on, and in age there is death. They who escaped the fetid breath of deadly dis ease, the cannon shock, the bayonet thrust, the saber stroke, so many of them have gone to the everlasting sleep of the brave. The great leaders, but a few of them re main. Of the others, the ranks grow thin ner and thinner, and so it must be, year by year, until it shall be said: "Of the great armies of the union of 1861-1863 not one man remains." Yes, yes, 0 pained spirit; but the cause re mains and the victory is immortal. Man may perish from the face of the earth, for it is appointed unto all men once to die. But deeds that are good are as the stars whose glory light endures forever. The cause that is righteously fought and fairly won shall be as the eternal day that has no night. The last soldier may die, but Decoration day shall live until the republic shall be no more. . Just as long as man loves lib erty, just as long as the free institutions of this country exist, so long shall the people, and all the people, love those heroic men who endured all things to confirm the heri tage received from the fathers of the nation. The soldiers may age and die, but the "Memory Day" of the republic brightens and quickens, and with more glowing flame, as the passing years reveal in strange color ing the priceless victory that was won by their courage and patience. Causes that are just are oftentimes but poorly or but barely won. But the heroes of our war did not give over effort until the last enemy was conquered, and they who live have seen the former foemen trans formed into champions and defenders of the union they once thought to destroy. The work is complete. The structure shall endure forever. Hail the day! Garland the graves of the dead with flowers. Let eloquent men re peat the story of their heroism, and tell the value of their conquest. And let the children and the children's children forever hallow this one duy set apart by a grateful people to commemorate deeds so glorious as to be breathed into by immortality. WILLIAM ROSSICK COBBE. MAY THEJTHiRTIETH. A Day of Proud and Tender Memo ries, Not of Bitterness. nAY 30 is Memorial day a day devoted to memories of one of the greatest struggles in his tory and to ceremonies in honor of those who fought in defense of the union. All the people of the war period made great sacrifices and carried burdens of sorrow anil trouble, but, by common consent, those who served in the army were given first place in the hearts of the people. It seems almost beyond belief, says a recent writer, that for four years the nation was like an armed camp and that the largest and most perfect ly equipped armies of modern times fought for and against a principle through four years of fierce war. It seems almost as un real as a picture from some old romance thut, after scores and hundreds of battles, the great contest ended with the historic scene at Appomattox, in the triumph of the cause of the union, and that at a wave of the hand of him who said: "Let us have peace," two great armies dissolved into compact bodies of citizens pledged to the same principle of government, there were defeats for both sides during the war. This is not a da; to recall these, mere were as many victories for either side, as many battles that hung in the balance. This is not a day to enlarge upon those. The struggle ended in a more perfect union, in a reunited peo' pie, in a stronger, greater nationality, and tiiis makes preeioiiB every memory of the fiery ordeal through which the nation passed and out of which it came with chastened spirit, but with higher ideals. When Memorial day was instituted, there were those who feared it would become one of bitter memories, and that its observance would rekindle the fires of sectional hate. The fears were groundless. No resentment or bitterness is associated with the day, Those who won and those who failed in the war are agreed as to the sum total of achieve ment represented in the country as it stands to-dny under one flag. They are agreed as to the cournge and endurance of those who fought, and join in the aspirations of an ex ultant American citizenship. This is the spirit of Memorial day. Those who meet, or join in ceremonials, to honor the memories of those who fell or those who fought in the battles for the union pay a tribute well deserved. In reverting to the memories of the war, they strengthen the bonds of union and take new lessons in pa triotism. It is a day of proud and tender memories, not of resentment and bitterness. Honoring the Noble Dead. Thousands of women are at work deco rating the graves, proud to do honor to the noble dead. These women have the fame spirit which in the dark days of the 'ISO's cheered on the heroes who placed their lives inthe balance of the nation's honor. Theirs is now the happier task of showing respect where it is due. of showing gratitude to those who have made freedom and peace the watchwords of our country! THEY SLEEP IN PEACE. , , .. Clory Cuards with Ardor True the Silent Hosts In Blue. O MORE on high t b e I r pennons wave, no more their buglet blow, No longer stands the phalanx grim he fore ihe valiant roe; Virginia's rivers, as they seek the far off seas of sun, Beneath their rose embowered camps in con s c 1 o u s beauty run: m tm mm They rest who 'neath Old Glory stood on many a fateful oay, And some are camping close beside the foe who wore the gray; And over all the robin sings, the daisy lifts her head, And Nature's richest blessings are upon the sleepers shed. They sleep who often watched at night the glowing nres of Lee, They dream no more of that great march that ended at the sea: Potomac's waves no more are red, and on the mountain's crest Where glared the sullen guns of war the eagle builds her nest; The hosts of blue are camping yet beneath the pines of Maine, They sleep where peep the buttercups above the southern plain; No picket lines to guard their camps, no sentries brave and true, For Death hath beat for every one his grim and last tattoo. I see the long camps stretching from the far-off western wave To where Atlantic's billows chant their dirges for the brave; stand at Arlington and look adown the noiseless lines Where not a drum Is beating In that camp beneath the pines; The buds that dot the wilderness, the snowy crest.? of foam Pay tribute to the gallant men who never more came home; From myriad hands each sunny May, our grateful country through, Fall Glory's fadeless Immortelles upon the dead In blue. Methlnks I see their sabers as they flashed In battle's sun,, seem to see the warlight fall on bayonet and gun: Before the farm-house gate I stand and listen for their tread, Forgetting that the mighty camps are guarded by the dead; They wear the blue, but 'neath the rose they're camping where they died, The sunny waves of Shenandoah around their head-stones glide; The pines of Georgia cast In shade, the long, long summer through, The everlasting camping ground of those who fought in blue. Where stood theerrled sections once no nre-ut rivers now, Between the gaping cannon ruts the roses bloom and blow. And Peace enthroned beneath one flag In glory sits to-day. And Love and Honor join the hands of gal lant Blue and Gray; The swords of Grant and Lee are crossed, but not on battle's plain, For Fame hath hung them with a smile above her worshiped fane; The old commanders occupy that camp be neath the trees, Beyond the shadows dense and grim, be yond life s misty seas. O campers In the sunlight fair! O sleepers in the shade! Sweet be the rest that ye have won In city, glen and glade; Dream not of battle's Immortelles, yeu won them long ago Where in your manhood oft you met the wary southern foe; Upon you In Fame s bivuoac the wreaths of beauty ran, And Freedom's flag of stripes and stars Is waving over all; Rest in tho camps that Glory guards with ardor warm and true, Beloved by all from coast to coast, O chevaliers in blue! T. C. HARBAUGII. How to Teach Patriotism. Perhaps the great poem of the war is yet to write; some hand perhaps now unborn may one day send a great epic of it ringing down the ages. Yet while we wait for it the poet's pen has not been idle and such poems ..... .. , ,,t.i i -n: as nariiara rreitciue, snenuan s jviue and "The Blue and the Gray will live per haps forever. They never lose their hold upon us and sweet it is to hear them lisped by baby voices, to make their indelible im print upon the characters now being molded into a lifelong patriotism. It is the verses we learn first which retain their hold upon us in after years, therefore let us sec to it that the children are taught the oues that tell the story of some heroic deed. Then Mill Decoration day always mean more to them than an empty name, and the simple lines perhaps of au unknown poet may help to send some future hero to his dutyl The Greatest National Feast. No more purely national feast than Deco ration day could be possible. To the rest of the world May 30 is merely a day at the close of the last spring month. To the patri otic dweller in the land of Uncle Sam how much more! It is customary to call Ameri cans, as a nation, laughter-loving and fickle, yet who, viewing the vast throngs assem bled in every city and hamlet to do honor to the glorious dead, can believe this true? Rather would the stranger on our shores be impressed by the fact that patriotism is strong within us. For in the national holi days may surely be read the character of the people as it can be read in no other way. Croakers there will always be, but we can afford to disregard them. The future of a nation is safe in the hands of those who rev erence its noble past. Remembered Everywhere. . It is a beautiful thing to know that north, south, east and west in this broad land Deco ration day is simultaneously celebrated. From city, town and farm they came, these men who fought for the union. Some of them were brought back tenderly to lie with others of their kindred; some remained in alien soil which their life-blood had red dened; some are buried in unknown graves, there to rest until God's great angel calls his roll. And yet, wherever they may lie, this day each grave will hold its fragrant burden of flowers, placed there by reverent and loving hands. They Died for Liberty. To our heroes who died for the union we give one day of each recurring year, a day full of the gracious gifts of May. The youth of the year pays its tribute to the men who died, perhaps in the flower of youth, that liberty might live. They fell under the glorious stars and stripes they loved so well. To-day they rest beneath the flag that God has made; its red is the red of roses; its white is that of lilies and its blue the blue of violets. And over them stands the monu ment of a deathless fame. fwS INI! mm n .3f- T.'A FINDING OF A FATHER. Celebration Which Brought New Life to a Poor Old Veteran. THE inmates of the county pool-house displayed great interest iu the car riage which slopped before the gate on the morning of Decoration day. "You must be gettin' some new boarders, ain't ye, Mr. Wilson?" asked the lame man, who was always making jokes. "Shouldn't wonder, shouldn't wonder. Oi else some of lh' old ones here have fullen litir to a fortune and arc going away." It was a member of the town council who came up the path with a stranger. "Allow me to present Hon. Ilarriso,' Hammond, the orator of the day," he said, with a wave of his hand. "Mr. Ham mond is interested in the model poor house, and 1 hnve brought him out to inspect ours before the ceremonies." "Pleased to show it to you, sir," said the keeper, bowing before the great man, "hut you must excuse us if we are not quite in our usual order to-day. We had an accident Inst night, which might have been much more Berious but for the efforts of otie of our inmates, an old soldier!" "Indeed?" lion. Harrison Hammond looked interested. ".My father was a soldier; he fell at Antietam. 1 was a child then, but the old soldier will always be very close to me." "This one is quite a character, lie was wounded in the head by the way, it was at Antietam, too, 1 believe. Shortly after the close of the war he was turned out of the hospital, cured, but with his memory gone. Kven his name was forgotten. Since then he has wandered over the country, al ways hoping in some way to find his people, though between you and me, sir, he might as well hunt for a needle in a haystack." "And has he nothing to assist him in his search?" "Well, sir, you know how the hospitals were at the close of the war. I believe he has a picture of his wife uud child, taken in '03, but 35 years must have changed them mightily, even if they are still alive. He is a good old man, Softy, and the children are after him all day long. And brave why, sir, that accident! A couple of tramps had crept up in the hay mow to sleep last "LET ME SEE THAT PHOTOGRAPH, QUICK." ... . .t i- 1 1 night, and tney must nave ocen tnioKing, for something set fire to it. 1 guess they'd have waked up in the other place, but for Softy; ho got 'em out Roinchow, while the rest of us were busy with the fire. He took a pretty hard fall himself, but the doctor says he'll be around all right in a couple of days. What's that, Jim? Why, where are your manners? My boy, gentleman, and " "Oh. Pa, I'a!" the boy was bursting with his news, "Softy's awake now, an' he's come to himself. The doctor says that fall did it! He says 'is name is Hammond, an' he says he's got a boy like me!" "Hammond, eh?" said the orator of the day, patting the boy on the head. Quite a coincidence, I declare! ! Might 1 see my old namesake, Mr. Wilson: When the distinguished party was ushered into the room where the old soldier reclined in his pillows he rose to his feet and saluted. A little faded photograph was in his hand. "Ves, thank God, it has all come back to me!" he cried. "My name is Thomas F. Hammond, of company K, and I have a wife and little boy at ." "Let me see that photograph, quick;" the ortator of the day was visibly agitated. "My mother and myself!" he cried. "Fa ther, they told us that you tell on the tield and were buried in the grave with the others. Now t" They fell into each other's arms. "My son, your mother! t Is she " "She is at the hotel with me. She wanted to hear me speak to the comrades of the bus band she has always mourned." When the Decoration day procession formed an old couple who sat hand in band rode with the orator of the day. "Well, say, if that ain't old Softy from the pom-house!" one urchin suid. "He ain't Softy any more," another boy answered; "lie's th' father of th' Hon. liar-' rison Hammond, an' he's goin' home t' live with him. Us boys'll miss him terrible," he added. ELISA ARMSTRONG. Honor the Living, Too. Honor the old soldier while he lives. Don't wait until he has died alone and neglected, and then heap his grave with flowers and place monuments above him. What if he does repeat the old war stories until they weary you? Has he not earned the right to glory in his victories? Show him now that you glory in them, too; your patriotism will help to make life brighter and better for you as well as for him. Bull Run and Appomattox. It is a fact not generally known that the first and the last stand of the confederates were made on land owned by the same man. A part of Bull Bun battle field was owned by Mr. McLean. After this famous battle he decided to move to a locality where there wouid be less fear from the ravages of war. By a strange coincidence he took up his abode at Appomattox, which subsequently proved to be the final battle field of the civil war. Interesting War Relic. Dr. S. J. Allen, of White River Junction, Vt., has a relic of the ciusmg dajs of the rebellion, a Testament in which a minis ball is imbedded. It was taken from the left breast pocket of a confederate soldier who was killed at Sailor's Creek, Ya., April 8, 1805, and who was brought to the hospital of the Second division of the Sixth corp that day. The ball was flattened upon cither side and stopped on the seventh versa of Xhe eighth chapter of Corinthians.