Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-23
@iseellanfolts.
TOBE'S MONUMENT.
CONCLUDED FROM YESTERDAY.

CONCLUDED FROM YESTERDAY
After that there was no lack of music.
lobe played all day, and only stopped at
night when the Captain sent him to bed
with lobe, going to bed meant rolling
himself in blanket on the floor of the
Captains tent, with d stick of wood under
his head for pillow Reused by q sud-
den noise one night, Captain Leigh started
up and looked around. and there sat Tobe
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 a great mind to break it !"
Deed, Mass Cap'n Use dreff'ul sorry l
done woke yer; but sho's yer bohn wor
dreamin' somebody done broke dat ar; an
l jes' wanted ter try him, ter see eff he all
right
well, you know now, so stop your
noise"
lobe lay down; but for several nights
slept with one eye open,h to watch his
treasure.
1t proved that lobe had told the truth
about his skill in taking care of horses.
Captain Leigh's horse had never looked so
well as now, and the Captain was delight
ed. lobe turned out. moreover, to be a
very good boy. The Captain could always
depend upon everything being done pre-
cisely as he directed, and he had never
known Tobe to tell an untruth In fact, he
was growing fond of this poor little waif,
who had no friend in the world but him
self. But the army is not very good
place for boys. SO one day Captain Leigh
said. "Tobe, how would you like to 90
North ?''
''Whar's at, Mass Cap'n p
II mean my home at the North, I'm
thinking of sending you there"
when is yer gwine, Mass Cap'n ?"
II am not going at all now; but want
you to 60 as soon as possible ?"
''Does yer mean ter sem me away from
yer, Mass Cap'n?"
The grief and CONSERVATION in the boys
face were pitiful to see. Captain Leigh
was touched, and answered him very
gently.
Eyes, want to send you away from me
now. because it would be better for you
But when the war is over shall go home
and then you can stay with me always, if
you are good boy. am afraid that if |
keep you with me in the army, you will
learn things that should be sorry to have
you learn, and that will make a bad boy of
YOU"
II allus does jes' the tings yer tells me,
Mass Cap'n.'
II know you do" You have been a
good, faithful boy; and Just because you
do what tell you so well, want to send
you to my home, to do what Mrs. Leigh
will tell you"
"Dat ar yer mudd,r, Mass Capn9"
you'd better not ask her that" laughed
the Captain. "No. Mrs. Leigh is my
wife, l want you to run of errands for
her, and do what work she will give you
in the house. And have three children
two little girls and a baby boy l want
you to 60 with them when they go out to
play, and take care of them. My home
is in very pleasant place, in the country
with large, beautiful garden all around
the house. Don't you think you will like
to go there p'
"Ef yer goes too, Mass Cap'n."
But, my boy, can't possibly go now;
and don't think it would be right for me
to keep you here, where you will surely
learn what you ought not; and where l
may even lose you entirely. You know
we shant stay here always; and on q
march can't keep you with me you'n
have to 60 in one of the baggage-wagons
and the rebels may catch you, and carry
you down South again."
This had never entered into TObe's
calculations. Once ''wid der Unions" he
had thought himself safe forever. He
turned almost white with terror, and
gasped out, "I'se do jes' de ting yer say
Mass Caph. Eff yer tells me ter go, Use
go. An Use do ebery word de Missus
say, an look arer de chillens de bes'
knows, ontel yer comes dar. On'y please
come right soon, Mass Cap'n.'
And as the Captain left the tent Tobe laid
his face upon his banjo, and cried as if
his heart would break.
Captain Leigh found brother officer
who was expecting to go home on fur
Tough, and VINO readily agreed to take
charge of the boy in whom his friend was
so deeply interested. So it was settled
that Tobe, with his cavalry suit and banjo,
should start for the North the next day
But that night there came news that
made everybody give up all idea of 'fur-
loughs" or going home" The Richmond
government, determined upon the execu-
tion of their threat, to make the North
feel the war as she had not yet felt it, by
carrying it into her own territory had
organized 1.-THE grand raid" and all along
the slopes of the Maryland hills. and
through the quiet Pennsylvania valleys,
the rebels sang their famous ''raiding
song" to the tune of "Bonnie Dundee"
An order came for Captain LeighS regi-
ment to march at daylight.
"Tobe," said the Captain; ''you can go
in one of the baggage-wagons. Strap up
my blanket and poncho, and take them
along; and these boots, take particular
care of them, for it's not often can get a
pair of cavalry boots to fit as they do
Yer needn't be feared, Mass Cap'n :;
rse take keer oh 'em de bes' know"
The main body of the raiders were re-
ported on the line of the South Mountains,
making for Gettysburg. Scouting expe-
dtions were sent out from the northern
army in all directions; and body of
troops, including Captain Leigh's regi-
ment, were ordered to proceed by the
shortest route to Gettysburg, and head the
rebels off. Hurriedly they marched across
Maryland, and reached Emmettsburg,
near the Pennsylvania border line. Leav-
Al.