Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-03-29
THE LITTLE DRUMMER

1t was scorching hot July day in
Algiers. Under the fiery sky, where
" hite dazzles, yellow CLEANS like
molten gold, and the reds blind by ex-
cess of light, q 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 MS way to clump
of trees growing on slight elevation,
where there was at least promise of
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 pale
face, but bright Intelligent eyes.
Il believe [ was half asleep, mon
colonel" he said, with a laugh. eve
had sharp time last night, with the
Arabs, you know, and the men some
how scattered. [ beat my drums till
my arms we're numb. lay down in
camp but ouf! 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 have heard strange
stories in camp about thee. The
men say that in action there is
one of them who is so frightened that
he almost loses his senses; that he
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. have known thee
from an infant in La Vendee. 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 q coward! Bah! they
do not 90 together. | warn thee that
all my influence cannot 60 far where
any infraction of military discipline is
concerned. l have done my best, but
thou art getting to be by-word
among the men,"
Look here, mon coLoney~ the boy
said, faint flush creeping into his
pale cheek. 81 am not always afraid.
Sometimes I feel as bold as lion; but
then another time | don't know what
comes to me- My hands and feet get
as cold as ice. l tremble, my eyes are
dim, and when | feel my comrades
falling right and left, something tells
me to run away; but | have never run,
no, never" he added with spirit.
Not vet" Col. Hautecourt said
sadly, "but some day taat cowardice,
which thou callest something, will
lead thee to kneel on thy coffin, and
have file of thy Zouave comrades
shoot thee through the heart. A cow
ard is a traitor"
the 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 co1onel-bad harvests and sick
ness in the family. And | 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. sit talks to me like a
kving voice"
''Let it tell you, then, BE braye!"
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! tell
you l am no coward, though | seem so
sometimes. 1t is bodily weakness only,
and I 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
Jules, and his timidity as a child used
to amuse him; but when he came I'M
der his command as soldier. he found
the boys weakness furnished occasion
for the gravest fears.
4 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 shot
in that way, and as sure as am here,
that will be his fate. But "a done
with such thoughts! Here to-day, gone
tomorrow; and, before Jules deserts,
l may be lying in the desert sands,
spitted through and through by an
Arab lance.
It was some time after that before
the next engagement with the Sons
of the Desert" A portion OF the
French army had moved on some
Arab stronghold, and taken it after Il
days hard fighting. The march had
been hot and toiIsome one, and the
soldiers were totally exhausted.
They must have rest tonight,
said General Beaupre. THE Arabs
are thoroughly routed. and they will
not venture to come near US again for