Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1888-07-07
RAYVIILE, RICIILAND PARISH La. JULY Z, 1888. NU
He turned around; it was the drum

lie turned around; IL was the drum
mer boy; he was stretched on trestle
bed, covered up to the chest by a coarse
window curtain with little red and white
squares, with his arms out; he was pale
and thin, but with his ey $ still spark
ling like two black gems.
"Are you here?" the Captain asked
him in an astonished but stern manner.
'BravO! You did your duty
81 did what / could" answered the
drummer boy.
"Have you been wounded p said the
Captain, looking around for his officer
in the beds near by.
"What would you have" said the
boy, who took courage to speak from the
proud pleasure of being wounded for the
first time, and without which he would
not have dared to open his mouth i'll the
presence of his Captain. 81 had to run
like hunchback they saw me immedi-
stely. l should have arrived twenty
minutes sooner if they hadn't hit me.
Fortunately 1 found staff Captain di-
rectly to whom to give the note. But it
was hard coming down after that lick! |
was dying of thirst, kept thinking that
l shouldn't get there, and was crying
with rage to think that with every min
utes delay some one was going to the
other world, up there at the house.
Bah! did what / could. 1 am content
ed. But, allow me, Captain. Look at
yourself; you are bleeding"
In fact, from the Captains badly
bandaged palm few drops of blood
were trickling down his fingers.
ado you want me to tighten the
bandage, Captain? Hold it out mo-
ment"
The captain held out his left hand and
put out his right to help the boy undo
and retie the knot; but no sooner had
the boy raised himself from the pillow
than he grew pale and was compelled to
rest his head again.
Enough; enough" sad the captain,
looking at him aud drawing away the
bandaged hand which the boy wished
to keep; "take care of yourself instead
of thinking of others, because even
slight things can become serious when
they are neglected.
The drummer boy shook his head.
"But you, said the captain, looking
4 ~ MN 0ttCiltlNCiNs yOu ihuSt ii"NO Aoo'
much blood to be as weak rs that
"Lost much blood!" answered the
boy, with smile; more than blood.
LOokl
And with jerk he pulled off the COW
ering.
The captain stepped back Mortified.
The boy had but one leg. His left
leg had been amputated above the knee,
and the stump was bandaged with rags,
which were covered with blood.
just then fat little army surgeon
passed in his shirt sleeves.
"Ah, Captain" he said quickly, nod
ding at the drummer boy, "that is an
unfortunate case; a leg which could have
been easily cured if he had moi
forced it in that mad way; cursed in
fammation, it had to be cut off at once.
Oh, but brave boy | as.
sure you; he didn't shed tear nor utter
cry! On my word of honor, l was
proud that he was an Italian boy while
l was operating. He comes of a good
stock, by Jove!"
And he hurried away.
The captain frowned and looked in
tently at the drummer boy, while draw
ing the covering over him again; ther
slowly, almost without knowing it. and
still looking at him, he raised his hand
to his head and lifted his cap.
"Captain." exclaimed the boy in sur
prise, "what are you doing, Captain'-
and to mel"
And then that rough soldier, who hat
never said gentle word to an inferior
replied in an inexpressibly soft and af
fectiOnate voice:
81 am but captain; you are hero.
Then he threw himself with open arm!
on the drummer boy and kissed him.