Wichita eagle., 1889-06-20
ghe aaha 1ai1n Gayle ghmrsday ormo, guue 20, 1885,
iou are SO young that think the pickets

v
Il reckon won't be scared consid'able."
Take this" The general put bis finger
into the pocket Of the boys jacket to see if ii
was whole; then, rolling the pellet In piece
of newspaper, he slipped it into the pocket.
If you must lose it, swallow it.n
Swallow itg'
Swallow itn
II will !" said Tom resolutely.
The general took the little fellow by the
| hand. 1t was curious contrast, the grizzly
bearded southern commander looking down
from his six feet Of height into the boys little
round face, and holding the chubby fist In his
knotty hand He was loath to relinquish it;
loath to let the boy CO. He was about to
send the child on a perilous errand. He could
have sent man without conjunction, even
if he knew the chances were nine in ten that
he would be shot; but this boy
'Gol" he said, suddenly, and motioned the
aid to take him away. Another moment
and he could not have done it
Tom Lane Jr., now advanced to the dig
nifty of Confederate courier, was placed on
a good natured horse which was to carry
him on his journey. The aid took him to
the Confederate picket line, and started him
OFF up the road. He stood looking at the
fa1en haired urchin, whose little legs stuck
out on either side over the round TANKS Of
the horse ct an obtuse angle wishing that he
might call him back. He watched the boy
till he rounded a curve In the road The
young courier turned and smiled; a smile Of
innocence, Of courage, Of conscious pride in
the work 70 be done. In another moment he
was lost to the officers view.
That day passed and the next The COM
mander, who was awaiting the outcome Of
his plan of communication, did little but
pace anxiously back and forth before his
tent Though abrupt In manner, he was
usually singularly kind to those under his
orders. Now he seemed the very incarna-
ton Of military severity. When twenty-four
hours had passed and bis courier did not re-
turn, he became so crusty that no member OF
his staff cared to approach him.
On the second evening at dusk the pickets
heard tho Gathering of horses hoofs on the
pike They sprang to their guns, and leveled
them In the direction Of the noise. A horse
came in sight, and ON his back was the little
courier. hatless, swaying In the saddle, but
riding at a gallop. The soldiers grasped the
bride.
Take me to the general, quickt"
He was deathly pale and the men noticed
that he was bleeding. They led him away
from the picket line, man walking on each
side sustaining him in the saddle. As they
walked along he told his story. On going out
he had little difficulty in getting within the
Union lines, as anticipated, on account of his
youth, but was obliged to try several times
before being able to leave them. On reach
ing the Confederate lines he went to head
quarters, delivered his message, and was well
cared for by the generals order.
The next morning reply to the message he
had brought was given him, and he started
back Again be passed free into the Union
lines, and again he found difficulty in leaving
the lines on the opposite side At last, get
ting some distance beyond picket who was
watching him, he resolved TO make dash for
it II thought he wouldn't shoot me-" said
Tom, "'cos l war SC little. l reckon he
couldn't SEQ who I war fur the trees n
things"
''Where are you hit9n asked one of the men.
Here" BE put his hand to his left side be-
low the heart ''Go on, quick Pm weakenin'"
4 drop OF blood fell in the dust at the feet
of a rugged infantryman. He shuddered and
hurried on.
When the party arrived at headquarters
they found tho general still walking back and
little messenger sitting on the horse, pale and
bleeding, he strobe up to him and brushing
away the men, without word took him in
bis arms, carried him into his tent and laid
him on his own camp cot. Then he bent over
him and groaned.
The boy took from his mouth pellet sim
liar to the one he had carried on his journey
outward and held il TO the general The sol
der took it, but for a few moments was too
much moved to open it Then suddenly re-
Numbering its Importance, he unrolled it and
read its contents.
"Goodr" he said, his face momentarily
Frightening. Calling for his chief of staff,
he ordered that the men be put in readiness TO
march at moments notice. This done he
seemed to forget everything again but the
wounded boy.
"My brave boy!" he said, kneeling by him
and putting his arms about him I've owe
you everything. You can't be much hurt.
You must not be much hurt You must get
well and l will put you on my staff. You
shall be little captain You have accom-
plished more for the cause than l ever have"
"a capn" exclaimed the boy.
Eyes, a captain. Anything You shall al
ways be with me-"
A transient look Of pleasure passed over the
boys pale face. Then he seemed TO remember
something. You better send me hoam. Ny
pop won't know whar ben"
I'm take you home myself. Orderly, get !
an ambulance! Bring bandages! Be quick! |
Why doesn't the surgeon comef'
There was scattering of aids and order |
lies The ambulance came and the surgeon |
came, but when he looked at the child he |
shook bis head
HE will live, doctorF' asked the general, |
as though commanding the surgeon to save
the boys life
Again the surgeon shook his head. The |
general turned abruptly away
Il want to go fur to see my pop said the
boy feebly.
The commander turned and took him in
bis arms, carried him out to the ambulance,
and gently laid him In it The surgeon got
up en- the seat with the driver and the gen.
sral sat at the rear end with his feet on the
step, while aids and orderlies followed
an orderly leading the generals
horse. And thus they went slowly to the
boys home.
When they arrived they found the house
surrounded by Confederate cavalrymen- The
lieutenant whom the boy had met two days
before came ont as the ambulance drove up
20 the door. That morning before daylight
De and his men had surprised Tom Lane and
lalf dozen Union guerrillas who were sleep
ng there 4 fight had ensued Tom Lane
ras killed, and his men-three Of them badly
prisoners
The cloud on the generals brow darkened
IS he heard the story. He had brought
leath wound 10 a child and now he was
bringing that child 10 a home where lay the