THE GREAT VICTORY PARADE
"My, what a jam of people!"
"Did you ever see such a crowd before in all your life!"
"And look at the flags and other decorations! Aren't they beautiful?"
"This time New York has outdone herself."
It was the day for the great parade of the returned soldiers, and New York City, especially in the vicinity of Fifth Avenue, was packed with dense crowds that filled miles of grandstands, windows, and other points of vantage, and also jammed the sidewalks and the side streets. It was a holiday for all, and everybody was going to make the most of it.
The Rovers had left their homes early to make their way to the seats they had obtained on one of the stands. With those who resided in the city were Grandfather Rover and also Aunt Martha and Uncle Randolph, who had come down the day previous from Valley Brook Farm.
"This is the greatest day of my life," said Grandfather Rover, his eyes glistening with pleasure. "To think that my boys have all fought for our country and come back from the war safely."
"Yes, and to think one of them has won a medal—not but what the others have been equally brave," responded old Uncle Randolph.
"I hope they never have to go to another war—they or their sons either," murmured old Aunt Martha.
The girls had invited May and Ruth to come to New York to witness the parade. May had accepted the invitation, but Ruth had sent word the doctor did not think a trip advisable at this time, her eyes being still in bad condition.
"It's too bad Ruth couldn't come," sighed Jack.
"Well, she had better take care of her eyes," answered his sister. "Oh, dear, why did that horrid Werner have to do such a mean thing!"
The Rovers had all they could do to get to the seats reserved for them. Each carried a small flag, to be waved as the soldiers passed. There was quite a wait, and the crowd seemed to grow denser every minute. Then from a distance came the fanfare of trumpets and the booming of many drums.
"Here they come! Here they come!" was the glad shout, and soon a platoon of police on horse-back swept by. Then followed a brass band of a hundred pieces or more, and the great parade was fairly started.
To go into the particulars of this tremendous spectacle would be impossible in the limits of these pages. Regiment after regiment swept by, representing every State in the Union. There were brass bands galore, with Old Glory everywhere in evidence. The crowd clapped and cheered, and sometimes shouted itself hoarse as some favorite command swept by with soldierly precision. Here and there a hero was recognized, and then the din would increase.
"Some parade, I say!" exclaimed Fred enthusiastically.
"Isn't it wonderful how many soldiers there are?" marveled May, who sat next to him.
"When are our boys coming?" questioned Grandfather Rover anxiously.
"They'll be coming along pretty soon now," answered Jack, who had been studying the program closely. "They are in the second regiment after the one now passing."
The New York State troops were now approaching, and the din became terrific, the more so as one company after another was recognized.
"Here they come! Here they come!" exclaimed Martha, who was gazing down the line.
"I see them! They are just at the corner!" added Mary.
"There's dad! I see dad!" screamed Andy, to make himself heard above the noise. "There he is, in the front row on this side!"
"Yes, and there is my father!" yelled Fred. "See him? Two men away from Uncle Tom!"
"I see dad," announced Jack. "He's in the middle. See him with that medal on his breast?"
"Hurrah, boys! Hurrah for you!" yelled Grandfather Rover, and arose excitedly, shaking his cane in one hand and a small flag in the other.
