The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-08-24

cent-looking that it seemed almost like rob-
bling trundle-bed to comply with his earn
est request that should allow him to un>
dertake the barn burning.
But he was plucky and persistent. and
after a little questioning I gave him few
directions and my permission, though felt
more like sending him back 10 his mothers
knee, from which he evidently had not
graduated many years. l. Of course, had
but little confidence in the success of his
daring undertaking. As the evening wore
on the rifle-balls kept up their musket-like
singing at times unpleasantly near our
heads. l began to believe that we must
wait ~ patiently as possible until we could
send over q shell to abate the nuisance.
Suddenly the firing ceased, and loud
cheer from our camp brought me from my
bunk to see the woods lighted up by thet
glare Of the burning building. knew my
drummer had done his work; but how
could not find out until . few years later
for in the excitement Of the next days en-
gagement, and in the hard work that fol>
lowed, lost track Of the brave little chap.
Upon assuming my official duties in the
prison after the war, while making my first
round through the different apartments to
see who my charges were, ran across
boy who struck me at once as being sadly
out Of place. asked him how he came here.
He said: II was sent here for arson, sir,
and took my first lesson under you" Then
knew my drummer boy. I cannot de-
scribe to you the effects his words had up
o. me; bat from that day the boy had
peculiar place in my heart, and could not
but feel that was debtor to my unfortu-
nate young prisoner.
| at once made inquiries concernig him,
and found that he was . favorite in the pris
on, and that by his pleasant, winning ways
and willing compliance with the prison
discipline, he had won the good opinion OF
every officer of the institution. He was
sentenced for . long term Of years, but !
was resolved to use every possible means
to obtain his pardon soon had several
strong influences at work in his behalf and
felt confident that his pardon would be Sc
cured. My plan was working admirably,
and was already fixing the time in my
mind that Icould set him free, when one
day an elderly lady came to me and said she
had heard that measures were being taken
for the release Of the boy. and asked me
with great esrnestnesss TO stop all pro-
ceedings in his behalf. was surprised to
hear such request from woman.s fer
petitions from women arc proverbially In
behalf Of the imprisoned.
She was nice looking, gray haired lady
with q kind, benevolent face that bore traces
of deep sorrow, and her manner of speaking
was y tender that knew she did not make
her strange request from resentment or i'll
WILL though could not understand he'
motive. Her explanation was the strangest
/ tbnN hot
her only son; that she wasa widow; that sh'
had los. three sons in the war, and that thu
boy was all that was left to her now.
She said he was not bad boy, but tina
when at liberty he was easily led into troub
lie by his companions, and though no
vicious his army life had made him reckless
care worn face she entreated me not to re
rease him, for he was all the world to her
and when he was in prison she knew wher
he was, but if no was free she feared sh
might lose her boy asked what | coul'
do for her, and she said all she would as
was that would keep him where he was
to be kind to him, and let her come and Sc
him once . week. 1t was little for me
promise.
So once a week the boy has . half holiday
though he is not allowed to 60 out of til
prison yari. Every Saturday afternoon tn
mother comes to see him. They have tn
pleasantest room in the prison reserved fo
their meeting; but when the weather is hu
an easy chair is placed in the sunny corne
Of the yard, and there tho mother spend
!. the hours from noon until early evening, an
is happy with her boy
Oftentimes see them, she with som
light work in her hands. and the boy steeI
= ing in the sunlight with his head resting
his mothers knee, as it should have bee
that night when first saw him. And viii
I'd the silvsr>haired mother watches over Il
sleeper, the hope 10 growing stronger au
e. stronger within her heart that in her ow
:. :. way she may some day bring her boy ba'
=, to herself and her home again.-Philad.
:. phia Press.