Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-02-20

pirates than regularly enlisted United
States Volunteers.
But payday came. Everybody got
fixed up and Tobe fell heir to an old
cavalry uniform. 1t didn't fiji, 10 be sure.
The pantaloons came up to his shoulders,
and were rolled up in great bnuches round
his ankles. The Jacket came down To his
knees; and the sleeves hung like yawn.
ing caverus, into which his hands disap-
peared 80 far, II seemed doubtful whether
he would ever lind them again. But
there were the gilt buttons and cavalry
stripes; and Tobss inmo'' soul rejoiced
over them.
lie was SO absorbed in his clothes that
he seemed To have forgotten the banjo;
when, one 'Iay the Captain suddenly held
one up before him. His eyes dilated Till
they seemed TO cover half his face; and
he gasped out, Yer gwine ter gi' me dat
al, Mass Carn"
You said you wanted II banjo. didn't
you2'
i knows | axed yer fer buy me one;
but Fought mebby yer wouldn't gi me
dc clo'es an do banjo too.
Well. which will you have, the clothes
or the banjo?
lobe answered never word. but pull
cd of his Jacket, and laid it at tho Cap
tain's feet. Captain Leigh laughed. -
wei. ho said. ii You want II banjo rs
bad as that, YOU shall have it. Here, take
it,
'Whar mus put de clo'es Mt, Mass
Cap'n.'
You needn't put them anywhere -
Keep them On.
Does yer mean ie; Il mo do clo'es an
dc banjo. too? P And understanding at
last that ii was really so. Tobe gave vent
to his feelings In a prolonged 'ki-yi "
then stood on his head, Kicking his heels
in the mir. ill, his voluminous garments
proving too much tor him. he lost balance
and tell over. This sobered him. He
picked himself up. and walked Of. carry.
Ing The banjo as II Ii were baby.
After that there was no lack of music.
robe played all day, and only stopped at
night when tho Captain sent him to bed
With lobe. going to bed meant rolling
himself in II blanket on the floor OF the
/ Captains tent, with stick of wood un.
der his head for u pillow. Reused by =
sudden noise one night Captain Leigh
started up and looked around, and there
sat lobe in The middle of his blanket,
drumming away on the banjo.
'Tobe, said the Captain, what on earth
are you doing with that thing. this time
OF night I've q great mind to break it,
Deed, Mass Cap'n, Use dretful sorry
! done woke yer; but sho's yer bohn ]
wor dreamin' somebody done broke dat
ar; an jcs' wan ter try him. ter see ef
he Al right
Well, You know now, so stop your
noise
Tobe lay down; but Tor several nights
slept with one eye OPEN 10 watch his
treasure.
1t proved that Toce had told the truth
about his skill in taking care of horses.
Captain Leigh's horse had never looked
SO we'll us now. and the Captain was de-
lighted. Tobc turned out, moreover, TO
he a very good hoy. The Captain could
always depend upon everything being
done precisely as he directed, and he had
never known Tobe To tell An unlruth. In
fact, he was growing very fond OF this poor
little wait, who had no friend in all the
world but him-ol. But the army is not
a very good place for boys. SO one day
Captain Leigh said, 'Tobe, how would
YOU like to 60 North?' p
'Whar's il al. Mass Cap'n?'
4 mean my home at the North I'm
thinking of sending you there
Does yer mean ter SEN me away from
yer Mass Cap'n.'
The grief and conste rnation in the boy.
face were pitiful to see. Captain Leigh
was touched. and answered him very
genlly.
Yes. want to send you away from me
now, because it will be better for you.--
But when the wal IL over | shall &C
home; and then you can stay with me al
ways. ii you arc good boy am afraid
that If keep you with me In the army,
you will learn things that should De SCR
~ to have you learn, and that will make
a bad boy OF you
i allus does jes' de t'lngs yer tells me,
Mass Cap'n.'
i know you do. You have been q
good, faithful boy; and just because you
do what tell you so well, want to send
you 10 my home, 10 do what Mrs. Leigh
will tell you
Dat ar yer mudder, Mass Cap'n p
You'd better not ask her that. laughed
the Captain. NO, Mrs. Leigh is my
vile. | want you 10 run OF errands fol
her, and do what work she will give you
in the house. And have three children
two little girls and baby boy. wan,
you TO 60 with them when they 60 out Ia
play, and take care of them. My home
is very pleasant place, in the country,
with large, beautiful garden all around
the house. Don't you think you will like
TO 60 therss