The McLouth Times from McLouth, Kansas • 6

day could be set apart for a formal and Two Classmates What Does Memorial Day Mean? solemn decoration of all graves of Union aoldlers la every part of th coun By. HORACE K. ASPEN WALL P3I "Mr. Wilson exclaimed that It waa a splendid Idea and that the general waa the person above all others to make it a succeesi The matter waa further discussed, and the general and I talked it over at much length that night. The result was the general consulted with General N.

P. Chlpman of California, IIEN I waa a young man I was a reporter. One morning I was. sent to interview a United States senator. He adjutant general on his staff In the Grand Army, then Jnst organized, and from that time the idea was taken hold of with enthusiasm, and the 'na tional day of mourning aa It waa first designated, was an assured fact.

The first observance was on May 30, 1808, at Arlington." NATIONAL SOLICITUDE When the war was over the govern the nomination of my party for congress. I could talk glibly, und, no mutter what Issue I touched, I had the fuculty of making my hearers believe that I knew nil about it nnd was dead right every "ime. I wus elected and reelected Tor two aodjtlonal terms. When I niiido my speech on the tariff that produced such a sensation, for the Urst time In my life I had collected soma facts, but I pledge you my word I didn't kiiow and don't know now which is the true theory, tariff or tree trade. While I was talking 1 saw Em-mens In tlio gallery following me with absorbing Interest.

After the speech he sent his card to mo, and I went out and met him. "What are you doing, Emmons?" asked. "Teaching," he replied. Meanwhile I had become convinced that if I were slow In absorbing knowledge 1 could make more than most men out of what I liid absorb. As 1 grew older 1 accustomed myself to look wiser, and whenever approached by men upon different subjects 1 looked wise in proportion to my Ignorance.

ment began the task of removing the dead of the Union armies from the battlefields where they perished. Sev was very kind to me, and during my call It came out that we wero graduates from the same college, lie asked me If I had been a good student. Blushing to the roots of my hair, I confessed that I had been a very poor student "Don't break your heart over It," ho said sympathetically. "The best scholars don't always turn out tho best men." Then after pledging me to secrecy, so far as using the real names was concerned, be told ine tho following story: In our class there was a mnn, Clarence Emmons, who led It from atart to finish. He had the moat astonishing mind for absorbing knowledge I ever came in contact with.

Ilia recitations were almply perfect. Often the professors used to start him ut different points In the day's lesson in order to ahow him off. I was a graceless scamp, I am rry to admit, whose only strong point was in making our instructors think I knew more than I enty-six cemeteries were established In various parts of the United States, with one in Mexico for the Interment of I he dead in the Mexican war. This work has been continued until the only Union dead not In national cemeteries are those interred In private burying grounds or those among the missing from 1801 to 1805 and whose places of repose under tho sod of the southland are unknown and therefore cannot be marked. Congressional appropriations for the maintenance and im rHut when I knew the subject well I invariably pleaded Ignorance and begged lo be enlightened.

In this way I provement of national cemeteries have Invariably been expended with care. did. It turned out, however, that 1 didn't fool them very much, for when we were graduated I stood at tho foot During the administration of Presi of the class, Emmous standing first. dent McKlnley the Confederate soldiers buried In Washington and its vicinity were removed to the national I did not meet Emmons for live years after leaving college. I had gone into journalism and was doing tho work you are doing now.

Euimoim cemetery at Arlington, which was the old home of General Robert K. Lee, the famous Confederate leader 17 '1 --V fTHtlmy MAKCHEDByj s-a- Tffl i i 'i rZIl ft SOL DIFRS' HONtf wus teaching school. Neither had advanced beyond the ordinary and, so during the war, where they were re-interred in a plot which was designated as "The Confederate The far as I was considered, had not given any promise. 1 still looked up to him, however, and, remembering that some president In a message to tho south had said: "The time has now come In the evo lution of sentiment and feeling, under the providence of God, when In the spirit of fraternity wo should share with you In the care of the graves of of our grentest men had put In a few years of early life nt teaching, fully expected that he would make his mark, When, ten years hud rolled round 1 waa part owner of a small country paper, and, an Importaut election coming on, we happened to support the right man. After his election he come to the tho Confederate soldiers." gained In respect and flattered those with whom 1 came in contact.

Well, the next step for a representative is to Ite senator. 1 didn't la-gln my senatorial contest by obliging people. I had got beyond that. I let them understand that they were to oblige me and the other part of It might eomo later. In this way 1 forced my election.

Recently, you will rouiemlter, my name was mentioned for the most Important portfolio in the cabinet. few days Inter my old classmate Clarence Emmons called on me. "I hear you are to lcomo one of (he president's advisers," he said mournfully. "It Isn't so, Emmons," I said confidentially. "You will remember that lu college I had one faculty." "Yen; you could make more out of nothing than any mnn in the class." "ltiglit.

I've kept on learning 1: to do that. I'm working my Inflult qualities to be tho president himself." "I believe you'll succeed." Then: "I can't get my Income above a thousand a year. Can't you do something foe me here?" "I shall need nil the offices nt ny disposal for Hiibstnutlul purposes, but 1 need secretary. Would you take the position?" "At how much salary?" "Leave that to me. I ill not be with the best man In our class, for 1 renie'uilM'r I was the worst." It Is fifty-one years since grim vl- otllce, acknowledged his indebtedness, saged men gently loosed themselves from the tearful embraces of wives, children and aweethearta and followed where duty beckoned, to plunge Into the midst of four years' sickening car nage, while back home good women suffered menial tortures It would be a sacrilege to endeavor to depict, Fifty-one years since the first of the boys went, awny! A long time Indeed.

Rut and asked what he could do for ua. My partner was unambitious nnd referred him to me. I told him I would like to represeut my party ut its next presidential convention. He easily nrrnngnd the matter for me, and I became delegate. The faculty for appearing to be a bettor man thuu 1 was stood by mo, and I w-ns chosen to make the nominating speech presenting one of the principal candidates.

I had not mustered his available points, but substituted points desirable In a candidate and endowed him with them. 1 sat dowu amid thunders of applause. That speech ai.d the Influence of our paper gained me several years later the lapse means no less to those who "midoi'Htand." Memorial dayt What does Memorial day mean? Let: none who do not know essay a weakling answer. Rather leave that question to the "boys in blue" nnd the "boys In gray." ing tenderly th memory of our harote Pathetic Side to the Great And yet Major General Frederick Alna worth, a well known military stat- They alone know) dead? We should guard their gravel with sacred vlsiUnca. All that the consecrated wealth and taata of the nation can add to their adornment snd security Is but a fitting tribute to the memory of latlclan In Washington, haa estimated that tho last survivor of the civil war may live until 11)45.

The last survivor est War Ever Fought Which Only Those Who Shouldered Arms Can The Height of the Ridiculous her aluln defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on auch hallowed grounds. of the Revolutionary war lived to be 107 years old. Approximately there were 3,000,1100 participants In the civil war on both sides. Thus strength of num.

pleasant put lis Invite the coming snd frolng of reverent visitors and fond mourn ers. l.et no vandulism of avarice or neg About Ideal. The mnn not long married waa look Imts and the fact that the span of hu lect, no ravages of time testify to the preaent to th coming generations that have' forgotten as a nation the cost of ing quite dejected. man life has lengthened bid fair to Properly Understand. Ranks Rapidly Thinning, but Last Veteran May Live Until 1945.

"What's the matter with you?" in a free and undivided republic. quired one long married. A if Everybody Didn't Know That! May-Girls, what do the papers mean when they talk about the scut of war? Ella I don't know nny more than I do what a standing army Is for. Hell How Ignorant you are, dears. The seat of war Is for the stnndinir army to sit on when It gets tired.

Tit-Bits. If other eyes grow dull, other hands lack and other hearts cold In the solemn trust, ours shall keep It well as long as Maternal Indifference. Hostess And does your mother allow you to have two pieces of pie when you are at home, Willie? Willie No, ma'am. Hostess Well, do yon think she would like you to have two pieces here? Willie (eonfidentlally)-Oh, she would not core. This Isn't her pie.

Christ lun Register. "Well, my wife docsu resemble my ideal nt all," th light and warmth of Ufa remain to us. Let ua then at th time appointed gath "Um cr," hesitated the old one, rub bing his chin thoughtfully, "does your bear out General Alnsworth's happy calculation. There are almost C.000 posts of he Grand Army of the Republic. The first of these was organized at Tcca-tur, April lMi.

and the first national encnnipment of the Grand Army was held In Indianapolis, Nov. 20. INCH. Judre Harvey M. Trimble of rrlnceton.

Is commander In chief of the Grand Army. Tho United Confederate Veterans association was ideal live anywhere in Jour neighbor er around the aacred remains and garland the passionless mound above them with the choicest flowers of springtime. Let us raise above them the dear old flag. I.et us In this solemn presence renew our hood?" Llpplncott'a. pledges to aid and asalst those whom they Extract From a Novel.

hHVe left among ua aa a sacred chars Visitor You remember me, don't upon th nation's gratitude, th soldiers' you, little man? and'sallors' widow and orphan. It Is th purpoa of th commander In chief to In-ausurat this observance with the hop Cauee For Complaint. "When I was shipwrecked In South America," said Captain Bowsprit, came across tribe of wild women who had no tongues." "Mercy!" cried one of his listeners of the fair set. "How could they talk?" "They could not!" snapped the old salt. "Thnt'e what made 'cm Wild." Judge.

Bobby Course I do. otrre the organized June 10, 1SS0, and Lieuten same man pa brought home Inst sum' hat it will kept up from year to year mer an' ma got ao mad about It aha whll a survivor of the war remains to honor th memory of his departed com didn't speak to pa for a whole week. ant General C. Irvine Walker of Charleston, 8. la commander.

FIRST MEMORIAL DAY While General John A. Logan, first rades. Department commanders will uss Boston Transcript every effort to maks this order effective. My order or i Deplorable Oversight, JOHN A. t)(1AN, Commander In Chief.

N. P. CIUl'MAN. Adjutant General. "Waa that fair down to your church commander In thief of the Grand Ar- success?" OlllcliH: WILLIAM T.

COLLINS, A. A. O. Such Impudencel "My husband considered a very longtime before he proiswed to me. He was very careful." "Ah, it's always those careful people who get taken Losls By FRANCIS LYNCH.

ONCE a year flowprs are plncrd on (he graves of the nll'tit majority of the veteran who took part In the great rlvll war. Surrlvori of that awful conflict, which upllt the United fcftitea In twain for four yeara, visit the resting places of the toniradea ifone before ami lay their touching tribute. Year after year the forma of these aurvlvora are wore lient, their leifa more unsteady, but their spirit i the aatne that took them to the firing line. The public, the vaster part of which "does not understand," watches the pathetic procession along city street or country road. Here and there la a moist eye somebody here and somebody there dcs "understand." Now the and duty i performed and they are buck in their headquarters.

"Well, comrade, I won-dtv howr many of us will be here thl time next year?" The rent the boys" sigh, are wrapped in thought a moment, then they tile out singly, in twos and threes, and disperse. Another year'a panning will take a at 111 heavier toll from the now fast thinning ranks. Succeeding years will bring bigger and bigger gaps, and then finally taps will sound for the last "Almost, but not quite." Why, bow'a that?" "Two men managed to escape wUa SOURCE Or INSPIRATION their car fare." Exchange. A dozen or more persons hove claim ed the distinction of having suggested Whin Hie Service Ended. Th Arm of Justice.

Memorial day. Mrs. John IL Morgan of A tli! nl In ISiid, issued a call for a meeting at which arrangements were tnude for memorial services for those who had fallen in battle. At that HOW SLEEP THE BRAVE. How slepp the brave, who sink to rest Py all thrlr country's wlnlirs Meat! Whi-n spring, with lwy ilriyi-n cold, returns te deck their hallowed mold Phs thir shall rtrss a sweeter sod Than Fancy's feet have ever tioU.

Py fairy hands their knril Is runs: Hy forms unseen their illrse Is suns; Thar Honor comes, pIlKrlm gmy, Te bless the turf that wraps their clay. And Freedom shall awhile repair To dwell weeplns hermit there. William Collins. time flowers and conveyances were lux uries, but the Women gnthered wild blossoms In the woods and with these Aft- and afoot they left at an appointed hour for tho cemeteries in their communities, regardless of distance and fa tigue. The south then was under martial law and public speaking was pro hibited.

A simple service of song and prayer took the place of the preseut vv Mm orntlons and eulogies. Then the flow ers of the woods were tenderly laid upon the graves of the sleeping heroes. Although aouthern women bad been honoring their deceased veterans. Gen "Our traveler felt that his companion eral Logan's order In 18GS clearly instl- luted Memorial day as an annual flx- was beneath hint and aecretly desired a separation. tore.

General Logan's widow has said: "In the winter of 1307-8 Charles L. Wilson, a warm friend of General Logan, came here to Washington) to A Problem Solved. Little Hazel We've invited too many ilvil war veteran, There win be no wore parades of the "boys In blue" and the "boys in gray," and there will be survivor to deck their roouwR An inevitable tragedy. Invoking the imagination, those who do understand can picture now the sacred hush, the silent anguish which will stir the notion and the queer tug individual heartstrings when the newspapers announce on their first jm, "The kst survivor the civil war dead." THE END WHENT Then as more years come and go the civil war and Its heroes who live today will liecome mere memories, as sre the heroes of the Revolutionary war. Time will have drawn Its ctir-ts'n over the greatest war In history, so far as living reminders are cud-t-erned.

Hut that time has not come yet. It wiil not come fr a numtier of years. AVhite Memorial day, Ji12. will And (t, veterans greatly diminished In liurotwrs, there are some WW) l'nln alive today and Upward of 2 ft 'mi fedora te anrrl vors. I5t the evTRsre ne these men is more than nvei.iy years.

llt us and expressed a desire to see some of the battlefields of Virginia. On account of the demands of his senato children to our tea party. There Isn't enough for them to get inore'n a bite each, my of the Republic, appointed May HO, ISaS, as the first Memorial day, the custom originated In the southern states, where women had been strewing flowers npon the graves of their soldier dead. The order issued by General Logan was as follows: Hrlniiarters Orand Army of the Ttormb-llo. Adjutant tieneral's Otllce, 416 Four-.

toentn titrewt. WssTilnston. May UQL r.nrnt Orders No. 11: The day of May, iVM. Is floslmnted for the purport of strewins with flowers or dccnratlns th rravps of the eomrsfles who died In nfpn fo-inlry durlns th Intu relKllinn und who bo'lli now lie In alrnont evry city, il)BF and hamlet churchyard In th land.

In this observance no form of rrpinony la prerrlld, hot posts and comrade will nrrimpre ftttlriS aervkes and teatlmo-tiiala of respect as li ttimstancea may permit. are orstnled. eomrados. as our r-itlnti'W I'll n. tttr the purpose, anion Mher thliiKS, of "preservlns and slrenirth-eti(n thme kind and fraternal whlh have hound the soldiers, erllors snd marines wh tinlfed It the lete reHiIlon." Whet can aid tiioro to auura tula cherish Little Dot That'a too bad! 1 dess rial work at the time the general could not leave Washington, and I therefore accompanied Mr.

Wilson on a tour we'll have to call. It a reception. Boston Transcript The Guide The descent Is very dan gerous, so yon will excuse me If I don't accompany yoo. "Ain't yon afraid to stay ay from school, Johuny?" "Not me. Father's broke Ms arm and can't Hck me." Nextl Barber Have a little tonic, sir? Dozing Customer Not another drop! Talking Shop.

Gimme a cigar. Satire. arnoig some of the famous battlegrounds. In a Confederate cemetery we saw flowers on many of the graves, and it was suggested that It would be a beautiful thing If the graves of Cn-Ion soldiers could 1 so decorated. On our return this Confederate decoration was metiMoned to General Logan, and, after a tew minutes of thonght, he said It would be a lovely end fitting memorial of tie dead soldiers if a social "That old financier's last words were characteristic of him." What were ihey?" A Mean Diepss'tien.

"He's awfully gd to wife." "(lilt with If. What it fine bi'icM her that yoa want now?" Demit Free If Mind and Bedy. He I tliluk her mind Is made tip. She Well, I know the rest tf Lr is. "He died at the agre of elbT and said be bated to go at so fat ttelow tr." Jolgs.

Boston Transcript..