Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1890-09-18
THE LITTLE FIFER.
An Interesting Story of Revolu-
tionary War Times.

lived In the town OF Shirley Mass,
bright, well-grown lad named John
Holden. His father was farmer,
and tho littlo fellow trudgcd about the
farm clad in homespun and home
made clothing, feeding calves, driving
cows and doing whatever his hands
found to do with all his might"
One Saturday night John was early
at tho gate waiting for his fathers
homecoming, for Saturday was the day
when Jonas Holden went to the village
and returned laden with packages and
news from Boston, which to them was
tho center of the world. A present was
an unhcard-of thing in little Johns
life. What was his surprise, then, as
his father rode up to the gate, to see
him hand out long black case, saying:
Here, my boy, see what I've brought
you for birthday present"
And imagine his greater astonish-
mont on opening the case, to see a
beautiful fife of dark wood with silver
trimmings!
The boy could hardly believe his own
eyes; and as he was passionately fond
of music he lost no time in beginning to
learn tho use Of his newly-acquired in
strument. Ilo carried tho fife every
whore with him and practiced OH it in
every spare moment and before many
months he was able to greatly astonish
the villagers, and he won many com.
pliment by his skillful playing.
Just before the revolutionary war the
whole country, as every boy and girl
ought to know, was in state of fer
ment and dread. War seemed inevita-
BILE, and the oppressive rule of the En-.
glish was the theme Of conversation
everywhere.
Little John heard much of it, and
longed to be man that he might join
the ''rcbellious colonists." And one day
he receiveda compliment which set him
thinking of matters in way the older
members Of his family never mistrusted.
A visitor from Boston was at the
farmhouse, and the talk, as usual, ran
on the prospect of war in the colonies.
During pause in the conversation Mr..
Holden asked John to play something
on the fife. Whom no had played q
stirring march or two tho stranger ex-
claimed: Upon my word! But the boy
has the soul of music in him! He will
be ready for the British bulls and lions
when it is necessary"
John sat quite still for some time.
But before he went to bed ho went to
his father and said: Father, if the
British do come, shall | go to war with
my fife?"
ITO be sure" answered his father
laughingly. "rhey could not get along
without you"
Long after his father had forgotten
this incident, John Holden took his dog
Zip, and his darling fife, and went tc
favorite hill on the place to practice
At night the dog came back alone and
going straight up to the boys chamber
began to moan and cry, and would mo-
leave Johns bed.
Tho family wero greatly alarmed, and
instantly OWNED that something had
happened to John.
Soon the whole town was in commo
ton; for the news that John Holder
was lost flew like wild-flre. Bands O.
men we're organized and went search
ing the woods in every direction.
Indians had been travelling through
the town recently. Had they carried
off the boy? or had they stolen the val
liable fife and thrown the boy into thu
river? The woods were hunted through
and through; the river was dragged
notices of the lost boy were sent II
every direction; but weeks heightened
into months and no clue was obtained
that threw the faintest glimmer o
light on the strange disappearance.
Everybody believed him to be dead
or with the cruel Indians. Everybod!
but one. Tho boys me her never los
faith IN his being safe somewhere:
MY boy is in Gods hands" sh'
would say, I'm Ills good time lohl
will come home"
And nothing could move her from
this belief while two anxious year
slipped by.
In the meantime war had broken out
and Shirley had sent her full quota o
men to fight for the country's independ
once. 1t was through ono of these tina
rumor reached Mr.. Holden that DO,
of twelve was in General Washington
army as iifer.
Jonas Holden was impressed with tn
certainty that tho boy in Washington
army and his lost son were the same
He went home and told his wife tn
story, and she was certain of it Accord
ingly Mr.. Holden started for New York
where General Washington and hi
army we're then stationed. There wer
no railroads or telegraphs then, remen
Der; nothing but horses and stage
coaches. Mr. Holden chose the former
and the best he could do, by travelin
on horseback, was to reach Genera
Washington's headquarters in seve
days.
When he finally drew rein at the out
posts of the Continental army he mad
known his desire to see General Knox
who was with Washington at that time
General Knox received the Massi
chusetts farmer with a cordiality tina
nut him at his ease in a moment; an
Mr.. Holden found no difficulty in Stain
his errand.
There is your boy, sir!" exclaime
the interested General, pointing to
Young fellow in soldiers suit ga
with brass buttons, who was playing o
a fife. HE is drilling some raw n
cruits That boy is Captain-General
us all, sir. / have never known him
whimper or say Il can't'-although he
the youngest of u.s.
The fifer was sent for in the Colonel
name. As he drew near, and lifting hi
cap, asked: did you send for me, sir'
his eve fell on his father, sitting in
corner Of the tent
In moment the boy was in his fati
er,s arms and sobbing like baby. IN
fathers tears were mingled with ID