The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1889-08-22

THE LITTLE COURIRR.

"Where're you goingf"
"T' thai hoase over thar"
A mounted officer In gray uni
form, at the head Of half dozen
troops, was speaking with boy IL
or IL years old, whom be had met
walking along path by The 81 OF
the road. The time was ut the
close oil southern winter, IN 1856,
and the location Was In q border
etate.
The child was small for his age,
but sturdy. On his head was an
old straw hat through which the
hair peeped in places. He wore q
short jacket, out at the elbows, and
trousers rolled up at the bottoms.
Several little toes thrust themselves
through cracks in his shoes, and
his shirt was unbutloued at the
collar. Despite Ills unreasonable
apparel, the child did not appear to
be cold. He was ruddy as an ap
pie.
Where do you liver asked the
ulli;er, lieutenant. after survey ing
the little figure contemplst:yely.
The boy turned around and point
ed To house on an eminence in
the din ection from which he had
come.
Got father
ayes, SIR"
"Uuion or Confederstep'
"UnIon. :"
The officer scowled During the
civil war the southern troops were
far more bitter against the Union
men OF the south than toward
northern soldiers.
81 mint no Union man, though"
added tie boy, thrusting his aids
into his pockets, planting his legs
FIRMLY a. an angl", aud looking up
ut tue soldic.s resolntely.
"Youl WHAT are your asked
the officer, asst nshed.
"I'm icbel."
There was n burst OF laughter
from the troop at his implied de-
tiaDce.
What's your fathers name2'
Tom Lane"
And yoursi'
"Mine2 Mines Tom Lane, too
The officer turned his head and
glaneed meaniugly at a sergeant
who was clos behind him.
Glow dos' II happen, my lsd
thai your father is Union and yot
are confederat. r
NAV, SHE'S southern. Pap, b.
b'longs In East Tennessee"
us your father at homer
"No, sir"
"When vii! lac be at hom,2"
II dunno" The boy knit hi
hrows. Then, with quick chang
OF interest and expression, Le aske,
"Whsr you uas gocnr'
The officer smiled. "Wherc ar
you going, my ladi"
"Over thar" He pointed wit
his finger.
oh, yes !, forgot. And wha
are you going to do over thereY'
Tom colored. "Oh, l amt goen
To do nothing but leave sumpin i
the postOiiice on the fence"
The postoflice was box with
slit in the top which had been pu
for the purpose OF children's cor
respondence. rhs officer noticed
that the chubby hand grasped a bi
OF folded paper.
Mont you let me see it?" b
asked.
NAV" The boy tur1ed ava
with an abashed look.
Sergeant" said the officer
speaking low. "Tom Lanes th
man We are after. THIS is his boy
We must try u find gu
II Lane Is al home, or where be is
I've oidets to take hiul, dead O
alive"
my little man." he continued t
the boy, will you answer som
questions for the good of your cour
try2'
al reckon So"
Then tell me where your fathe
is."
"He amt none o US; he's Uu.
ion."
eyes, but where is he?"
MY pop aiu'U got nothin' to
with youns. Asst me some othe
things, n I'll tell en-"
The officer was baffled. Indee,
he was ashamed of his work
= trying to iaduce boy TO betra
his father. Tbs lad started on
The sergeant was about TO rid
forward ~ stop him. but the Office
ordered him back. The troop rod
on 10 cross road which led To
wood to the right; then turne
down this road and entered tn
wood. Flnding spring of gooc
water, they went intp bivouac.
man was ordered TO ride after th
boy, aud secure the ,nissive he il
tended 10 drop into the letter
box.
The soldiers picketed their hol:
es and cooked their supper. Will
they were eating, the man who ha
been sent for the letter came IN
The officer unfoade the little scral
of paper. and read this scrawl in
childs hand:
March Thurd.
Dear Maggy. want you fus I
be uni sweetheart. When / git
man | agoen fur to be a sojer. NJ
pop is agoen TO bring me gur
He's comen hoam to morrow
Nav she sails I'm To little fur gu
but | reckon Ill git it anyway.
Yours trewly,
Tom Lane Junyer.
The officer spelled out this con
munication with some difficulty
and put 1t in his pocket. 1t con
tanned all the information he wan
ted. lie had now nothing TO
bu. to wait in order TO captur
Tom Lane, guerrilla.
The next morning the boy wa
playing ia the road in front OF hi
fathers house. A confederate OF
ticer with stars on his collar rode b
attended by his staff. He stoppe
and questioned the boy.
"How far is 1t TO the rive:, m
Isd2"
"The riger2'
"Yes."
"Ten miles"
els the bridge dosnt"
"rw'an't down last Thurs
day?"