The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-05-27

Professor, he told the that Rupert had be-
cofne quite insane, and that in one OF his par,
oxysms he had escaped from the honse, anu
as he had never been found, 1t was reared
that he bad fallen inio the river ana was
drowned. | was terribly shocked ior the mo-
ment, as You may imagine; but, dear me,
was living just then among scenes as terrible
and shocking, and l hau iittie lille W spare u
mourn over poor Rupert.
at was not long alter receiving this intel-
oence that we had a terrible battle, in which
a portion OF our army was surprised aud driv-
en- back with great slaughter. | was detach-
ell from my brigade to rice over 10 the battle
field and assist the surgeons OF the beaten d.
visions, who had more on their hands than
they could attend to. When | reached the
barn that served for temporary hospital, |
went at once TO work. 'Ah, Bob,' said the
doctor, thoughttully taking the bright sword
from the hands OF the now haltsiriahtened
Bob, and holding it gravely before him, these
pretty paythings are symbols of cruel, ugly
realities
81 turned to a tall, stout Vermonter, he
continued, very slowly, tracing a pattern on
the rug with the point of the scabbard, who
was badly wounded in both thighs, but he
held up his hands and begged me to help 9TH
| ers first who needed it more Than he. did
not al fist heed his request, for this kind of
unsefsbuess was very common in the army;
| but he went Oh: For Gods sake, Doctor,
| leave me here; there is drummer boy OF
our regiment-a mere child-dying, if he isn't
dead now. Go and see him first. He lies
over there. He saved more than one life
He was at his posi- in the panic this morning,
and saved the honor of the regiment. 1 was
SO much more impressed by the mans man.
ner than by the substance of his speech,
which was, however, colrOborated by tile 9th
ar fallOxUc Of Nd
passed over to where the drummer Law. with
his drum beside him. / gave one glance at
his face-and-yes, Bob-yes, my children, it
was Rupert.
well! well! it needed not the chaked
| cross which my brother surgeons had left up
| on the rough board whereupon he lay, to
show how needlul was the relief he sought !;
it needed not the prophetic words of the Yer
monter, nor the damp that mingled with the
brown curls that chung to his pale forehead
to show how hopeless it was now. called
him by name. He opened his eyes-larger,
thought, IN the new vision that was begin
ming to dawn upon him-and recognized me-
He whispered, Pm glad you are come, but
don't think you can do me any good.'
IL could not tell him lie. could not say
| anything. l only pressed his hand in mine as
| he went on.
.,"'But you will see fatre r and ask him to for
give LHe. Nououy Is W DIANE DuC myself. IL
was long time before l understood why the
drum came to me that night, and what it said.
know it now. The work is done and 1 am
| content Tell father it is better as it is. 1
| should havel lived only to worry and per-
| pick him, and something in me tells me this
is right."' -t
HE lay still for moment, and then grasp
ing my hand, said:
| "tHarkv
| 81 listened, but heard nothing but the sup
pressed means of the wounded men around
me. THE drum he said, family; don't you
hear itp-the drum is calling me-
| "He reached out bis arm to where it lay, as
though he wOull embrace it. - - T
| "'Listen'-he went on-'its the reveille.
| There are the ranks drawn up in review.
Don't you see the sunlight flash down the long
line of bayOnets? Their faces are shining
| they present arms-there comes the general
but his face l cannot look al for the glory
| around his head. He sees me; he smiles; it
is and with a name upon his lips that he
had learned long ago, he stretched himself
YEARLY upon the planks and lay quite still.
''rhat's all. No questions now-never mind
what became of the drum. Who's that sniv-
elns? Bless my soul--wheres my pill box