The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-03-22
THE LITTLE DRUMMER.

1t was scorching hot July day in
Aigiers. Under the fiery sky, where
white dazzles, yellow CLEANS like
molten gold, and the reds blind by ex-
cess of light, spot of shade is like a
cool oasis in this oven of heat and
color.
Col. Prosper Hautecourt thought
this, as he passed groups of yawning
French soldiers on his way TO clump
of trees growing on slight elevation,
where there was at least promise of
some breeze. When he reached the
spot, he saw lad lying asleep under
the trees, with his right arm thrown
around a drum which lay beside him.
''Ha, Jules, what dost thou here?"
cried the colonel.
The boy sprang up instantly. A
delicate stripping he was, with a pale
face. but bright Intelligent eyes.
II believe l was half asleep, mon
colonel" he said, with laugh. "We
had sharp time last night, with the
Arabs, you know, and the men some
how scattered. l beat my drums till
my arms were numb. lay down in
camp but Oaf! if was hot oven."
Col. Hautecourt smiled kindly at the
lad, but the next moment his face
clouded.
81 have wished to speak to thee,
Jules, for some time" he said.
''Sit down there and answer me.
Dost thou know l have heard strange
stories i'll camp about thee. The
men say that in action there is
one of them who is so frightened that
L, Il, L.; koE 1o
crouches behind his brave comrades,
and when he beats the drum, the
strokes are so tremulous that it sounds
more like a shameful retreat than a
gallant charge. Dost thou know who
the coward is, Jules?"
As the colonel spoke the boys head
had sunk lower and lower, till his
face was hidden. As he raised it to
answer the officer, it was white as
death, and his lips quivered.
Il suppose they mean me, mon
colonel, he answered.
eyes, they mean thee, my poor boy!
Look here, Jules. l have known thee
from an infant in La VenGee. Thy
good, honest father would die with
shame if thou shouldst disgrace him,
and coward is disgrace, not only to
his family, but to his country. A
Vendean and cowardi Bah! they
do not go together. warn thee that
all my influence cannot go far where
any infraction of military discipline is
concerned. l have done nv best. but
thou art getting to be a by-word
among the men"
Look here, mon COLONEL" the boy
said, faint flush creeping into his
pale cheek. 81 am not always afraid.
Sometimes feel as bold as lion; but
then another time l don't know what
comes to me. My hands and feet get
as cold as ice. tremble, my eyes are
dim. and when I feel my comrades
falling right and left, something tells
me to run away; but havo never run,
no, never" he added with spirit.
mot yet," Col. Hauteoourt said
sadly, "but some day tlat cowsrdice.
which thou callest something, will
lead thee to kneel on thy coffin. and
have lile of thy Zouave comrades
shoot theo through the heart. A cow
ard is traitor"
Tnc boy shuddered, but did not
speak.
"Why didst thou beg so hard to be
allowed to become a drummer boy in
the army, if thy courage is so uncer-
tain?" asked the colonel mournfully.
MY father is poor, as you know,
mon c0loneI-bad harvests and sick
ness in the family. And I wanted to
come; it was so grand to fight for
France, and l could beat the drum
well even then. Oh, love my drum?
caressing it, ''It talks to me like q
living voice."
LET it tell you, then, BE brave!
my boy. Don't disgrace yourself and
La Vendee any more," the colonel
said.
The boy started to his feet, and his
eyes brighted.
''Do not fear, mon colonel! l tell
you | am no coward, though l seem SO
sometimes. 1t is bodily weakness only,
and will die before it shall conquer
me again"
But the colonel, as he walked
thoughtfully toward his tent, did not
share in the boys confidence. The
father of Jules was a farmer on the
Beauvoir estate. of which the Marquis
d. Hautecourt, his own father, was the
owner. He had always been fond OF
| UllltS. anu q CIli4Nl uoCN
to amuse him; but when he came un-
der his command as soldier, he found
the boys weakness furnished occasion
for the gravest fears.
81 must get his discharge upon some
pretext," the colonel thought. ''That
boy, in one of his panics, is sure to de
sert, and then no power can save him
1t would be too cruel to see him sho
in that way, and as sure as | am here
that will be his fate. But ga dom
with such thoughts! Here to-day, gon'
tomorrow; and, before Jules deserts
/ may be lying in the desert sands
spitted through and through by al
Arab lance"
1t was some time after that before
the next engagement with the ''Son'
of the Desert" A portion of thu
French army had moved on som'
Arab stronghold, and taken it after ;
days hard lighting. The march haC
been a hot and toilsome one, and th'
soldiers were totally exhausted.
'They must have rest tonight,
said General Beaupre. 1.-The Arab
are thoroughly routed, and they vii
not venture to come near us again TO
many a day. The dogs have got thei
lesson now. from to Q, and they've
left carrion enough behind them tc
feed an army of buzzards. Oh, M
danger from them!'
Col. Hautecourt shook his head.
II have been in this country man.
years." he said, land / have seel
strange things. You have Tough
and whipped the enemy. Yop loo