Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1884-06-05

first. If you lick him, the rest Of EN-
will run for it, and if he's toe many
for you, the bys-standers will inter-
fere. By jing, Joe, but you're aspun-
ky devil, and old Tony cotch tarter
that time"
"a tarter, uncle Jackey" said /, II
don't know what that is.
zone that speaks what he pleases.
and strikes when provoked whether
his enemy is as big as the blue ridge
or as little as weasel. That's tar
ter Joe and by jung, you're one, and
your mother was one before you" /
told him that my mother didn't fight
nor strike any body. i
Doesn't she lick you," asked my
uncle. m. ssyi -
20 yes" told him "she whips me,
she whipped me to day, but all peo-
pie whip their children"
What did she whip you for" ask
ed he.
"For cutting of the black pigs
TAIL" told him. - ~
"By jung" he said "she did right,
but, mercy on us, what lights that in
the North East =? The id red-coats
are over on the Patuxent burning out
the defenceless women again. Joe, if
you hear anybody coming, get behind
the tree there"
asked him what was that for2
why" said he, "if | don't like
their manners, | may fire on EN-, and
they may FIRE back again, and its well
enough for Won to be out Of harm 3
way" Itold him l hoped he wouldn't
kill any body.
"By jung" said he, "if they don't
answer when l challenge, nor stop
when | bid them, / will kill, if / can,
depend on it, soldiers duty, Joe, is
to obey orders. Joe, don't you hear
a noise ?"
I told him heard q dog barking,
"Not that" he said, II thought ]
heard the noise Of horses feet--its q
great misfortune to be q coward, Joe,
its the plaguyist sin on EARTH and
when you re soldier, Joe, don't think
of running here and there to shun
death or danger, for they're as apt to
be in one place as another, and don't
think about bullets, or bagnets, when
you come into battle, but think Of
nothing but your orders, That's thf
way to be brave man, Joe, and il
you're brave, you'll be promoted. ]
shall be corporal coon, and, i
the war lasts, shall get higher thar
that. BY jung joe, but 10 10 horses-~-
and coming like hell too. Get behind
the tree Joe. Who comes there ?" he
shouted with a loud fierceness of tone
that made me start from my seat.
Friends" was the reply.
advance one of you" said my
uncle, land give An account of your,
selves" and one Of the horsemen ac-
ccrdingly came forward and reported
that the British, some five hundred
strong, were coming up out OF the
Neck, and were scarcely mile off.
"To camp" shouted the horseman,
land prepare for battle" My uncle
fred Ills musket in the air, and there
upon | heard the report Of at least
twenty muskets one after another, all
around the camp. When we got to
camp, every thing was in hubbub and
motion. In very short time the
soldiers weroall dressed and equipped,
and formed in line close by our tent.
My uncle ordered me into the tent
and told me to stay there. A man,
mounted on fine white horse, rode
up, and ordered the roll to be called.
heard heavy sigh behind me, and
turning round, / discovered that Tony
was there covered up in blankets.
I'm sick, Joe, very SICK" said
Tony, "please tell EN- 50, if they come
for me. Just then his name was
called, and there being no answer, my
uncle was sent to inquire after him.
Come, Tony, my brave boy" said
my uncle, you must be out upon
duty" The poor fellow groaned pit
eously, and told my uncle that he was
sick, very sick.
Joe knows I'm Sick he added,
task him, if you don't believe me :
and my uncle went out aud reported
accordingly.
"Send the health officer to him, !"
said the officer whom they called
colonel, and in a few minutes man
came in the tent, and felt of Tony's
arm, and reported that the patient was
more frightened than sick. Again my
uncle was sent to bring him into the
ranks, and again he made the same
report as before. During all this time,
the calling of the roll was going on,
and poor Tony was grooming and pray
ing, or rather repeating pieces and
fragments of prayers of nearly all
Christian churches.
go, said the colonel to my uncle,
land bring him on the point Of the
bayonet," aud it seemed as if the very
earth shook, 80 fierce and loud he
spoke.
"Oh my--oh Lord--as it is in
heaven give US this day" but my
uncle interrupted his devotions.
"You must join the ranks, Tony,
said my uncle, II am ordered to bring
you dead or alive" and / never heard
my uncle speak 50 harshly before.
I'm the name Of the Lord, amen,
sighed Tony, "well man can die but
once--our Lord is with thee--but
don't kill me, Jackey, till / say my
prayers-this night | lay me down K