The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-07-18
OLD sHRLroN's DRUM.

O'd Buckley Shelton iIve1 ln a rugged distnct ot northern ArkanSaw. He fought during the war of lSI2 having enliS cd ia Tennessee reE,ment, He ~Ai a pc culiar old fello~, and ais long white halr, his soldierly bearing and h.s enthasias- tue declamatlons were known tO every child ln the neighbour ood. Old Shelton beat rum al the battle of New Orleans. He took the drum home wIIh him, aud ever atterward, no matter how often he changed his residence, be would walk behind the wagon aud carry the drum. Hs would not allow anyone to touch 1t, and he himself would not even tap 1t ex- cept on the Fourth of July. Then, dressed 10 his faded uniform, he would march throughout the settlement" beating what he termed "the exultant roll ot llb. erty." When the war oi the rebellion came Shelton refused to light agalnst the old flag.
 Gentlemen" said he, when a party of his nelghoors asked him to beat his drum during confederate muster, "d General 4ckson himself should arise from the dead and ask me to beat my old drum for the cause you have taken up l would tell hun to shake oil hls dishonor and then lie dswn again in his grave of glory, put would not beat the drum"
 Old man, you are craxy,' said Nat Wilkerson. You ought to be proud of the honor of being called upon."
 !" would rather be crazy and be right than be sane and be wrong"
 Say, if you won, beat the drum, lend it to us.'
 " No, sir"
 Suppose we take 1t
 "Well, men, you are my neighbors and like you, out the first n an that puts h,s hands on that drum will in two min. utes, be as dead as PAckenham. That drum IS mine When the war was over l asked General ackson fl l might take it home. What did he do [ He grasped me by the hand and said; Buckley he always called me Buckley the drum IS yours. Take 1t and beat Il whenever our nations birthday rolls round.' Then | replied l: Andiew,'-l always called hun Andrew because he insisted upon Il said 1, Andrew, 1 will take lt' 1 d,d so, aud by the eternal you can't get it."
 The neighoors smiled at the old mans excusable egotiSm, and, none of them de- siring to be as dead as PAckenham, but preferlng rather to lead a drumleSs exis- tence, shook hands with JAckson's friend and retired
 During the war, while a regiment oi federal soldiers were encamped iu Shel- tons neighbor hood, the commander, one morning, was startled by the roll of A drum. Thinking he was about to be al. tackled, he formed his men in order of battle and awaited the coming ot the enemy. The colonel had never seen an engagement, and could not help out be- tray anxiety as the drum came nearer and nearer. Presently, from behind great rock that jutted out into the road, there appeared An old man, walking with martial tread His iong ham sucamed out like the hutter oi a white scarf Around his body he wore an old flag The soldiers began to laugh, and the colonel, relieved of his anxiety, joined in the merriment. When within a fe~ rods of the colonel, the old man stopped and saluted the soldiers.
 What do you mean by this untimely parade 2" asked the colonel, advancing.
 am discharging my duty, sir" "ls 1t your duty to alarm a camp1'
 "it is my duty to beat this drum the Fourth of every July, 1t makes no differ. ence who is alarmed My name IS Duck ley Shelton. sir. and 1 am obeying Gcn- eral Jackson's orders"
 "What Jackson-Stonewali2"
 "No, sir, my friend Andrew"
 Why, old man, your friend Is dead"
 "Yes, but am not"
 lust then a well-known union man came along. Seeing Shelton, he related the old fellows history.
 "Oid patriot" said the colonel, spend the day with us. When you are tired of calling the roll that thrilled the British pu, your drum in my tent and will place a guard around it"
 "barbecue in the northern part of ArkAbsaw. Ssvefs! acted speakers were present, and thousands of people had as- sembled. Just as one of the speakers arose to address the crowd the roll of drum was heard. Then there went up mighty shout. Ihad heard of Shelton, and eas eriy looked in the direction whence came the "exultant roll of libeuy." Presently le appeared, his white hair waving, above the crest of hill. He wore the faded uniform and an old flag vas wound about his shoulders. Ills tread sas still martial, though he sottered as he walked.
 "Uncie Buckley shouted one of the speakers, come and take a seat on the stand"
 "No," he replied, waving his drum sticks with a majestic flourish, my duty is here among the cotton bales where 1 can see the British. General, the day hall be ours. When you want Buckley's blood, cali for it.'
 He sat down by a tree. When the speaking had concluded, there was a wild rush for the dinner table.
 Come, MT. Shelton" said the ma aer of ceremonies, approaching the drummer, dinner is ready. Come" touching tas veterans shoulder, you shall have dts toguished place Good Lord gentle- men, the old maa IS dead.''