Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-05-29

Tom, with proud fash in his eye.
Then come with me-" and, withou
ceremony, the child was put on the bacl
of led horse beside cavalryman, ant
rode with the General and his staff t.
headquarters. When they arrived a
camp, the General turned the child ovel
to an aide, but in half an hour ordered
him to be brought to his tent
''Now, my boy" said the officer, look
ing intently into the child's honest
brown eyes, I'm going to send yo uon al
importanterrand. Though you are boy,
you must have the courage of man."
The boy made no reply. He was look.
ing straight at the General
Il want you to take this'-he held ur
something that looked like pill. ITS
roll Of tissue paper in tin foil, and
there's a message written on it. Take
it to General -, commanding the Con-
federate force at j. You'll have to
go through the Yankee pickets. Do you
understand"
Eyes, sir.''
General" interposed an aide, impa-
tiently, this is a duty for me, not for
this child"
'How could you pass tho enemy's
pickets?" demanded the General, sharp
ly. Then, without permitting a reply,
he went on giving the boy his instruc-
tons.
'You are so young that 1 think the
pickets will let you go where you
please"
I'm twelve" interrupted Tom.
''Are you? Well, you must keep up
a stout heart and not look frightened"
81 reckon l won't be scared consid'-
able"
Take this" The General put his
finger into the pocket of the boys Jacket
to see if it was whole; then rolling the
pellet in a piece of newspaper he
slipped it into the pocket 'If you must
lose it, swallow it."
The boy looked surprised, but said:
II will" resolutely.
The General took the little fellow by
the hand. 1t was a curious contrast.
the grizzly-bearded, rough commander
looking down from his six feet two 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 go. He was loath 10 send a
child on 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
go" he said, suddenly, and motioned
the aide to take him away. Another
and he could not have done it.
Tom Lane, Junior, now advanced to
the dignity of Confederate courier, was
placed On good-natured horse which
was to carry him on his journey. The
aide took him to the Confed crate picket
line, and started him off up the road.
lie stood looking at the fiaxen-haired
urchin, whose little legs stuck out on
either side over the round TANKS of the
horse at 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; smile of innocence, of cour-
age, OF conscious pride in the work to
be done. In another moment he was
lost to the officers view.
That day passed and the next The
who was awaiting the out
come of his plan of communication, did
little but pace anxiOusly back and forth
before his tent Though abrupt in man.
ner, he was usually singularly kind to
those under his orders. Now he seemed
the very incarnation of military sever
-ty. When twenty-four hours had
passed and his courier did not return, he
became so crusty that no member of his
staff cared to approach him.
On the second evening at dusk the |
Dickets heard the Gathering of horses !
loofs on the pike. 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 and stopped him.
Take me to the General, quick!"
He was deathly pale, and blood
'rickled down his side. They led the
horse toward headquarters; man
walked on either side to sustain the
10Y in the saddle. As they proceeded
The courier told his story in detached
entenees.
He found no difficulty in getting with
n the Union lines, but had been Obliged
o try several times before he could sue
eed in leaving them. He reached the
confederate army late at night, deliv-
red his message. and was well cared
or by order of the General command
ng.
The next morning reply to the mes
age he had brought was given him and
e started back. Again he passed free
oto the Union lines, and again he found
lfhculty in leaving the lines on the op-
oslte side. At last, getting some dis
ance beyond picket who was watch
1g him, he resolved to make a dash for
= Il thought he wouldn't shoot me-"
aid Tom, case 1 war so little. I
ecKon he couldn't see who war fur the /
'ees n things"
Where are you hit?" asked one of
he men.
Here" He put his hand to his left
de below the heart. go on, quick!
m weakenin'."
When the party arrived in front of the
mt they found the General still walk
lg back and forth in deep anxiety.
hen he saw his LITTLE messenger sitting
4 the horse, pale and bleeding, he
rode up to him and brushing away the
en, without word took him in his
ms, carried him into his tent and laid
i'm on his own camp cot. Then he bent ]
Ter him and groaned.
The boy took from his mouth a pellet
milar to the one he had carried on his
Rsney outward and held it to the Cen :