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Show At Lafayette's Grave. By DR. A. S. CONDON. General Fer-Khmj? hnrl just arrived in France with a laryre consignment of United States troop9 for tha ultimate redemption of that country. He stood by the tomb of .Lafayette among- gifted orators assembled as-sembled to honor the occasion. General Pershing was asked to specak. Raising his eyes and hands toward heaven he uttered these five words only: "Yes, Lafayette, we are here!" More eloquent words never fell from mortal lips. Tlie golden opportunity inspired tho words. O, looking down from heaven's arcade Aglow with thoughts that never fade, To where he knelt at Freedom's shrine On tlie red turf at Brandywinc, He harks for words inspiring cheer. And Pershing answers: "We are here'." Such witching phrase of eloquence That thrills tho sold of mortal sense, Was never hoard since life began At the dim, unknown birth of man. Than Pershing's at that patriot's bier: "Yes, Lafayette, we're heie! We're here I" Methinks tho dead in bonny Franco, Asleep In Death's long peaceful trance. Where holy turf their forms enclose To guard them In their last repose. Would rend their tcmb so dank and drear. And shout for joy: "Wc, too, are here!" Now pay we" back the debt we owe From the old days of long ago To France, who came when friends were few In darkest hours Columbia knew: And our brave boys, with heart sincere, Exultingly cry: "Yes, we are here!" Dear France! Thy voice burst through the gloom Of grief enshrouding Lafayette's tomb! We heard refrains of bitter groan a Of manhood, and the children's moans! Then Pershing answered words of cheer To Lafayette's Frcnce: "Yes, we are here!" That cry beyond the restless sea Was heard where all mankind are free, Calling for help In time of need , To savo them frtm a murderous breed! ! Heard, too, by Pershing by that bier. Who straightway answered: "Wc are here!" And soon, aye soon tho sea grew black With belching smoke along the track i Of plunging ships flush to the wave j With valin nt men, stalwart as brave, ! Ere yet the echo of that prayer I Had died upon the anxious air. And then, dismayed, the Hun at last j Saw his new horoscope was cast, I Foretelling Fate should lay his path p Through a bleak wilderness of wrath, And his vain armies disappear At Pershing's answer: "We are here!" Ogden, Utah, November, 1018. |