The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1890-05-29
CAMPFIRE STORIES.
THE CHilD-SOLDlER.
a Tour-Ycar-oid T6ddicr Prevents a
Bloody Sklrmish.

boson,, tho hearts Of men and women
were heavy and sorrowful Tor the roll
ing smoke Of cannon hid the very heav-
ems and stains reddcr than the field pop
pies dyed the grass, while tho rattle OF
muskctry and the tread Of marching
men drowned the songs of the birds and
the sound of weeping startled them into
silence. The fair hills OF Virginia
looked down on carnage and sights too
pitiful to name, and her rivers ran rcd
with the blood of many gallant sol
dicr for whom gray-haired mother or
tender wife and children wept in their
FAR Northern home or mourncd beneath
the siinny skies of Dixie.
But nesting close to the rugged side
of the mountain, like a sparr0W5 nest
under the grim buttreSses of some old
castle, the little village Of Cloverside
| heard only from afar those dreadful
sounds that told of death and sorrow.
| Sometimes nawly-raiscd regiment,
marching down TO join the force about
Richmond, would go by gay in uniform
and Huttcling hags-alas. alas how soon
to have their bravery torn by shot and
dimmcd with bloody dow.
watched with frantic envy by two big
eyes like twin wood violcts from the
window OF Il pretty white house that
stood half way up the mountain. and
was the hcmc of one fair, gentle lady to
whom Manassas had meant widowhood
These pretty wistful eyes were the
baby's whose heart swcllcd at the mar
tial music until it grew 700 much for a
four-ycar-old TO stand, and so he dccl1r'
cd his fixed and dcs pcratc resolution to
become "a soldier too Mamma caught
the tiny form with the eager tnce to her
breast, thinking Of other mothers whose
SONS had once been innocent little chill
dren, too, and who now, perhaps, lay on
some battlefield with their faces turned
upward to tho sky. and bullet in the
quiet hearts. And her own eyes were
dim for Il soldier who marched away one
bright spring day to return no more to
that loving household on the mountain.
But the baby was firm, so mamma
fastened a marvellous uniform for her
warrior, with glittering buttons and
ColOnel's star, and grandma, on condi-
ton that it be not removed from tb%
scabbard, 'lent a really sword. which
had been to Mexico with grandpa when
he went long ago with General Taylor.
A drum of Aunt Dicey's own loving
manufacture, and presented with her
black face cleaning with satisfaction,
and big hat contributed by Sister liz
zic, who checrfully turned her own and
only Gainsborough, which, with its curl
ing feather. had been the pride of he1
i,t 20 lrtr m
chapeau, completed the equipment OF
bold soldier.
lie was not very terrifying object
thoGgh. for his eyes were blue and inno
cent, and his hair fell curling and long,
bright strands from under his hat, while
his mouth was like rosebud trying tC
frown fercely, and his chubby hands
were only just able to drag the heavy
sword in very unmilitary fashion after
him. SO all the long, bright summer
the baby played at war and drilled tho
maple trees on the lawn with severity
and diligence, until if they were no
ready to march away and strike blow
for their country it was certainly no
the fault Of their gallant little com
mander. lie patroled the premises like
a faithful sentinel and gave his admir-
ing women folks his frequent ant
solemn promise to stand by and protec
them should occasion arise.
And sure enough, dark and gloomy OF
the page of the future was written th'
coming of an hour when ClovCrside wa
to be the scene of the meeting of th'
two hostile forces. Not very large ones
to be sure, only two skirmishing parties
but led by desperate men and composed
of others sworn to vengeance Tor per
sonal wrongs suffered at focman' 5 hands
This hour came just rs the summer la,
a-dying, beautiful beyond telling ever
in her decay, for nature crowned tb'
passing seasons brow with her choices
glorics to hide, as it were, its fading.
The babys maple squad had put of it
rihemens green and stood bright aiit
ruddy in artillery scarlet, while banner
OF many-hucd leaves and vines swung
lightly from the mountain side. Clos
to the pretty singing brook that woun'
it's silver ribbon about the foot of thu
grim old mountain were planted on
day dreadful wido-mouthed cannon
with horrid threat in each dark throa
-clots in the peaceful scene, and hun
dred or more stern-voiced, gloomy-eyei
men stood behind them waiting for th
foe who was coming presently down tn
road The sun rose higher and higher
vailing its face from what was to com
in purple haze, when tramp, tram
came tho advancing army, marchin
down to what each man knew would j
all probability be a battle unto deatf
for in order to pass it was necessary
take tho battery that held the mario
; road.
Each party reserved its fire by orde
and only the tread of feet, the CLEAN
: fixed bayonets, and low growing
commands from an officer here and thei
betrayed the errand Of these invaders
that quiet spot. But as the two lines
set, defiant faces glared into each oth'
} something happened Out from IL
B sumach bushes on the side of the rof
} marched tiny figure, bravely draggir
after it in the dust sword. The b
hat with its Haunting feather had fallt
over one blue eye, but the other glance
l joyously from one body of soldiers
. the other. He marched with great di
. nity down between the two lines al
8 paused about to speak when forwa
1 ran every man from both sides al
!, closed upon him.
0 But oh! no harm was meant, for Il
baby form and little face had awaken'
). tender memories of such another
i home, as of ones own happy childho'
q in every breast, and with common IL
ii 10