THE HESPERIAN
known dead were buried with those of that
state. The graves of the states and of the
U. S. Regulars are marked by long contin
uous rows of plain granite stones with the
name at the head of each grave. Occasion
ally one sees a freshly cut inscription or a
name erased, where either some body which
had been marked unknown has boon identi
fied by a comrade or friend from the de
scription on the records; or, if it has been
erased, perhaps some old soldier visiting the
graves of his comrades has found his own
name placed at the head of another's grave
through mistaken identity.
The cemetery is at all seasons a beautiful
spot, and when the flowers are in bloom, as
is usually the case about Decoration day, it
is indeed lovely. Treos and shrubbery have
been gathered from the different states and
from many of the nations, even far away
Japan being represented by one of her
peculiar treos.
Decoration day is a notable day at Gettys
burg. Excursion trains bring thousands of
visitors to attend the services. Flowers by
the wagon load are collected to be strewn
over the graves. In the early afternoon the
procession forms, composed of the honored
guests, the different army organizations,
various local organizations, the city officials,
and the school children. Marching out to
the cemetery and up its lovely drives all
gather around the National Monument.
From here, after the impressive ceremony
of the Grand Army of the Republic, the
school children march out over the graves in
ever widening circles strewing flowers as
they go. It is a beautiful sight to see these
children paying this simple tribute to the
Nation's honored dead. Peace makes her
offering to the memory of those who gave
their lives for her preservation.
After the strewing of the flowers the pro
cession re-forms and marches to the west
end of the grounds where is the speakers'
rostrum. Here some prominent and able
speaker is always chosen to deliver the ad
dress of the day. Ho would be a poor
speaker indeed who would not bo moved to
present a worthy address amid such inspir
ing scenes.
Such services as are here held, such
speeches as are here made, are well calcu
lated to instill a greater spirit of patriotism,
more lofty ambition, and true courage with
in every breast. One feels more truly the
words of Lincoln, and resolves "That from
these honored dead wo take increased devo
tion for thai cause for which they gave the
last full measure of devotion, that we hero
highly resolve that these dead shall not have
died in vain, that the nation, under God,
shall have a now birth of freedom, and that
government of tho people, by the people,
and for tho peoplo, shall not perish from
tho earth.' John Hay Kuiinb.
"THROUGH A GLASS."
When all the shadewy selves of yesterday
Go stalking past my windows grey and pale,
And myself luuks, as at a funeral,
To see the train pass cne by one away,
Holding its breath and watching how they pray,
Lifting their faces in one voiceless wi.il,
Heating their hands against the glass like hail,
And fading, in the long night wind away.
Then all my soul grows pale and white to see
How she has lost them to eternity.
A thousand shapes as fair more fair than she.
She folds her wings before her face and cries,
"1 am not woithy," and she sadly flies
To join that train beneath the black night skies.
Katharine Melick.