The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-05-27
SELECTED STORY.
A Story for Little Soldiers.
tFrom the Overland Monthly.l
BY f. BRET HARTE.

nv WIZ lutClNdlo Wucu, buiOu5h
clouds and flying scud, the sun visited the
haggard hills with miracle, death and resur'
IecliOn were as one, and out OF very thrOeS OF
decay joyous life struggled outward and up
ward. Even the storms that swept down the
dead leaves uurtured the tender buds that
took their places. There were no episodes OF
SNOWY silence: over the quickening fields of
the farmers plowshare had followed the fur
rows lett by the latest rains. Perhaps it was
TOR this reason that the Christmas evergreeas
which decorated the drawing-room took upon
themselves foreign aspect, and offered a
weird contrast to the roses, seen dimly through
the windows, as the southwest winds beat
their soft faces against the panes,
Now" said the doctor, dra wing his chail
closer to the fire, and looking mildly but
firmly at the semi-circle OF faxen heads
around him. 81 want it distinctly understood
before beg in my story, that AN not inter.
rupted by any ridiculous questions. At the
first one shall stop. At the second, shall
feel it my duty to administer a dose OF castor
oil all around. The boy that moves hIs legs
or arms will be understood TO invite amputa
ton. have brought my instruments with
me, and never allow pleasure to interfere with
my business. Do you promise"
ayes, sir" said six small voices, simultan.
eously. The volley was, however, followed by
half dozen dropping questions.
"Silence! Bob, put your feet down and
stop rafting that sword. Flora shall sit by
my side, like little lady, and be All example
to the rest. Flung Tang shall stay, too, il he
likes. Now, turn down the gas a little there
that will do-just enough to make the fire a
little brighter, and to show off the Christmas
candles. Silence, everybody! The boy who
cracks an almond or brealhes too loud over his
raisins, will be put out of the ROOM"
There was profound silence. Bob laid his
sword tendery aside, and nursed his LEG
thou9htiully. Flora, after coquettishly adjust
ing the pocket OF her apron, put her arm up
on the Doctors shoulder, and permitted on
this rare occasion, to share the Christmas rev.
els in the drawing room, surveyed the group
that was at once sweet and philosophical.
The light ticking OF French clock ON the
mantle, supported by young shepherdess OF
bronze complexion and great symmetry of limb,
was the only sound that disturbed the Christ
mas like peace of the apartments peace
which held the OdOrs of evergreens, new toys,
cedar boxes, glue and varnish in a harmOni-
Gus combination that passed all understand
ing. 4..rf Ht & IS r. 81 40
About four years ago this time" began
the Doctor" II attended course of lectures
in certain city. One OF the Professors, who
was a socidble, kindly man-though some
what practical and ard-headed-invited me
to his house on Christmas night was very
glad to go, as was anxious to see one of his
sons, who, though only twelve years old, was
saidlto be very clever. 1 dare not tell you how
many Latin verses this little fellow could le-
cite, or how many English ones he had COM
posed. In the first place, you'd want me to
repeat them; secondly, I'm not judge OF Do
etry-Latin or English. But there were
Judges who said they were wonderful Tor
boy, and every body predicted a splendid fu-
ture Tor him. Everybody but his father. He
shook his head doubtingly whenever it was
mentioned, for, as have toll you, he was
practical, matler-offact man.
There was pleasant party at the PROBES
sOr's that night. All the children of the
nighborhOod were there, including the Pro-
lessons clever son, Rupert. as they called him
"a thin little chap, about as tall as Bobby
there, and as fair and delicate as Flora by nv
side. His health was feeble, his father said
he seldom ran about and played with other
boys-preferring to stay at home and brood
over his books, and compose what he called
his verses
swell, we had Christmas tree lust like
this, and we had been laughing and talking,
calling of the names of the children who had
presents on the tree, and everybody was very
happy and joyous, when one of the children
suddenly uttered cry OF mingled surprise
and hiiarify, and said: Here's something Tor
kupert-and what do you think it is?'
I'VE all guessed. "A desk; "a copy of Milton;'
a gold pen;''a ihyming dictionary MOP
what them?
GA drump
"A whaJ| asked everybody.
A drum! with kupert's name on it,
pure enough there 1t was. A eood-si
bright, new, brass bound drum, with slip OF
paper on IL, with the inscription: For Ru-
pert
"Of course We all laughed, and thought il
good joke. You see you're to make noise
In the world Rupert said one. Here's parch-
ment OF the poet, said another, ID upert's last
work IN sheepskfn covers said third. Give
us classical tune, Rupert said fourth. and
SO Oh. But Rupert seemed too mortified to
speak he changed color, bit his lip, and final
~ burst into passionate fit OF crying, and
ielt the room. Then those who had ioked
nun ielt ashamed, and everybody began to
ask who put the drum there, But no one
knew, or if they die, the unexpected symna-
my awakened for the sensitive boy kept
them suent. Even the servants were called !
up ana questioned, but no one could give any
lu s,a Whefe 1t came from. And, what WAS
SUN more singular, everybody declared that.
up TO tue moment it was produced. no one
aad seen it hanging on the tsee. What do
MINK? Well, have my own opinion. But
nc questions. Enough for you to know that
nuPert dld not COVE down stairs again that
nlgnt, and the patty soon after broke up.
=, y had almost forgotten those things, for
the war Of the rebellion broke out the next
spring, and was appointed surgeon in one of
Tue new regiments. and was on my way TO
sne seat OF war. hut 1 had to pass through
.ne clty "heie the Professor lived, and there
me. him. My first question was about Ru-
pert. The Professor shook his head sadly : |
He's not SO well" he said: che has been de-
Ginning since last Christmas, when you saw
aim. A very strange case," he added, giving
!, lohg Latin name, "a very singular ease.
But 60 and see him yourself" he urged, cit
may distract his mind and do him good
Il went accordingly to the Professors
house, and found Rupert lying on a sofa prop
ped up with pillows. Around him were sea-
tered his books, and what seemed in singular
contrast, that drum l told you about was
hanging on nail, just above his head. His
lace was thin and wasted; there was red
spot on either cheek, and his eyes we've yerv.
bright and widely opened. He was glad to
zee me, and when told him where 1 was
,olng, he asked thousand qpestions about
I. war. thought 1 had thoroughly divert
~ MS mind from its sick and languid tsncies.
when he suddenly grasped my hind and
irew me toward him.
Doctor" said be in low whisper, "you
volt laugh at me if tell you something /?
mo, certainly not" / said.
lou remember that drum?'' he said.
'olnung to the glitteting toy that hung
against the wall. "Yea know. too. how f
,ame to me. A few weeks after Cbristmas
was lying half asleep here, and the drum
vas hanging on the wall, when suddenly
1eaed it beaten; at first. low and Slowly
hen fastss and louder, until its roffing filled
he house. In the middle of the night |
beard ID again, | did NOT dare tn felI0 anv-
body about it, bnt have heard 1t every night
ever since"
she paused and locked anxiously in my
ace. sometimes" he continued, lit is play
I'd softly, sometimes loudly, but always quick
ening to long roll, so loud and alarming
mat have looked to see people coming into
my room to ask what was she matter, but L
Inihk, Doctor-I think" AR, repeated slowly,
s oTng up with painful Interest into my face,
'tnat no one hears 1t but myself"
thought so too, but asked him if he
nau hearo u at any other time.
"CAnee or Twice in the daytimev he renlie5 !
when have been reading or writing. then
very loudly, as though it were anGry and
rom my books" 'on away
81 looked into his face, and placeg
hand upon his pulse. His eyes wer,. WY y
bright, and his pulse little fiurriod az
lnick. l then tried to explain to hin, that ha
vas very weak, and that his senses wera ve ~u
cute, as most weak peoples are. and how
hat when be read, or grew inteIe sted and CIV.
tied, or when he was tired at NIGHT. the
hrobbing of big artery made the sound he
card. He listened to me With sad smile
f'unbelief, but thanked me, and in little
1hie wedt away. But as / was gong down