Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 May 1894 — CAPTAIN JIM. [ARTICLE]

CAPTAIN JIM.

“To-morrow is Decoration Day, oomrades. Report for marching onlen aa early as nine.' “We’ll all be here, Major. I wonder if Captain Jim will?” A group of grand army men were burnishing their accoutrement* in the village halt A curious bystander made the query. “Who is Captain Jim, may I ask?” 'Captain Jim Prescott,’ replied the second speaker, “is an old soldier—none braver in the war. He came bank minus an arm, got married, and led a happy and prosperous life till two years ago. ' Then drink got hold of him. You know what that means. He went down. Last year his broken-hearted wife left him. Only his daughter, Edna, a beautiful girl of seventeen, clung to his broken fortunes. ’ “Do they live here?” “In the old cottage he once kept so trim she is sacrificing her life for him, for Norman Bea e, one of the finest young fellows in town, wants to marry ner, but Edna believes it her duty to • care for the sad wreck rum has made of Captain Jim. About three months ago an old comrade took him South, on the chance of refo:ming him. Edna has great hopes, so has our Colonel. He told me Jim would be here to-night to join in the ceremnies to-morrow, but I fear he has fallen by the wayside.* Edna Prescott, a sorrowful participator in this bit of family his tory, thought so, too, as, watching from the wind w of her lonely home, the hours went by and her father did not appear. She had received encouraging letters from his comrade, but her hopes now misgave her and seemed to predict failure for her many plans for reuniting husband and wife. Her mother, who was living with a sister in an adjoining place, would certainly visit the village cemetery where her brothers were buried on the morrow, yet when morning broke after a sleepless night, Edna had scarcely the heart to engage in the day's ceremonies. She was arranging some flowers when the sound of muffled drums told her that the procession had started. She «gazed from the window, sadly thinking of other days like this when Captain Jim had looked the hero he was at the head of his old company. She recalled, too, the last Decoration Day, when his fatal habit had made him an object of pity to all his friends. Would that humiliation be repeated on this solelmnly sweet May morning? “Oh, what is this? Father on earth, my joy is complete; Father in heaven, I thank thee!”

Down upon her knees in prayer, the happy tears dimming her sight, Edna sank. The survivors of Company A were marching by, and at their head, clothed in new, neat uniform, clothed, as well, in his right mind again, the bleared eyes gone, the noble face serious with* earnest dignity, was—her father! One glance told Edna that he wae reclaim-d. That moment of Joy atoned for all the dark fears of the lonely night. When she gained the cemetery the ceremonies of the day had begun. On everybody’s lips the name of Captain Jim hovered, coupled with words that showed how lovingly he was esteemed, how welcome in this new guise of manhood. " It was just after the final address that Edna went to the soldiers’ monument. A veiled form wae kneeling at its railing. Edna recognized her mother. About to speak, she paused. Her father and the Colonel were approaching. Captain Jim saw the kneeling form. His lips trembled. He glanced appealingly at Edna. She took his hand in silence and led him forward. “ Mother," she murmured in the ear of the'- veiled mourner, joining the twain in tremulous finger-clasp, “let this poor one hand plead for its dear owner, r Look up and see!” “And let-my earnest heart, truly brought purified through the fire of temptation and affliction, join In the you will forgive the part. Mary«u£an you doubt me this time?" , Mrs., Prescott looked once at the changed, earnest face of the reformed man. tJThen she put out her arms, and those !wo were one again. “Edna!” Tbftyeeplng,’ happy girl started as the mime was softly whispered, and thrilled as Well, for her lover spoke. “My dear,” he continued, “is not that reunion a presage of the future from which I may take hope?" “Norman,” murmured Edna, “canyon doubkmy heart’s wish? My father will not need me always—now. And so, amid the glory of the odorous lilips and the sanctity of memories true., hearts alone can understand, those four knew that love ineffable had peen gained and regained upon that.jjolemn, peaceful Decoration Day.