The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-17
AL|TTLE CHILD LED THEM
How a Four-Year- fodder Drove
Thoughts Of Carnage from
Warlike Men.
His Heart Swelled With Martial
Pride-He Would Be
Soldier.
A Composite Uniform Wonderful to Be-
hold-Wide- Mouthed Cannon Silent
Both Enemies Depart i'll Peace.

hold-Wide- Mouthed Cannon Silent
Both Enemies Depart i'll Peace.
Summer of 1864! But though the skies
werc blue and cloudless and the earth radi-
ant in her robe of green, with flowers bean
tiful and fragrant on her bosom, the hearts
Of men and women were heavy and BORROW
ful, for the rolling smoke of cannon hid
the very heavens and stains redder than the
field peoples dyed the grass, while the rat
lie OF musketry and the tread Of marching
men drowned the songs of the birds and the
found of weeping startled them into silence,
says the Philadelphia Times. The fair hills
Of Virginia looked down on carnage and
sights too pitiful to name, and her rivers
ran red with the blood of many gallant
soldier for whom a gray-haired mother or
tender wife and children wept in their far
Northern home or lnourned beneath the
sunny skies of Dixie
But nesting close to the rugged side of
the mountain, like sparrow's 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 a newly
rails ed regiment, marching down to join the
force about Richmond. would 60 by gay in
uniform and futtering hags-alas, alas!
how soon to have their bravery torn by shot
and dimmed with bloody dew!
watched with frantic envy by two big ewes
like twin wood violets from the window of
a pretty white house that stood half way up
the mountain, and was the home of one
fair, gentls lady to whom Manassas had
meant wfaoyhood. These pretty, wisttul
Shot xu1Dc ~ lad ~
the martial music until it grew too much
for q 4-year.old to stand, and 80 he declared
his fixed and desperate resolution to be-
come "a soldier too.'' Mamma caught the
tiny form with the eager face to her breast,
thinking of other mothers whose sons had
once been innocent little children, too, and
who now, perhaps, lay on some battlefield
with their faces turned upward to the sky,
and bullet in the quiet hearts. And her
own eyes were dim for soldier who
marched away one bright spring day to re-
turn no more to that loving household on
the mountain.
But the baby was firm, so mamma fast
ened marvellous uniform for her warrior,
with glittering buttons and coloners star,
and grandma, on condition that it be not
removed from the scabbard, lent q 'really"
sword, which had been in Mexico with
grandpa when he went long ago with Gen
eral 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 Lizzie,
who cheerfully turned her own and only
Gainsborough, which, with its curling
feather, had been the pride of her heart,
into cavalryman's dashing capeau. COM
pleted the equi pment of bold soldier:
He was not very terrifying object
though, for his eyes were blue and innocent,
and his hair fell curling and long, bright
strands from under his hat, while his
mouth was like rosebud trying to frown
fiercely, and his chubby hands were only
just able to drag the heavy sword in a very
unmilitary fashion after him. So all the
long, bright summer the baby played at
war and drilled the maple trees on the lawn
with severity and diligence, until if they
were not ready to march away and strike a
blow for their country it was certainly not
the fault of their gallant little commander!
He patroled the premises like a faithful SEN
tinel and gave his admiring women folks
his frequent and solemn promise to stand
by and protect them should occasion arise.
And sure enough, dark and gloomy on
coming of an hour when Cloverside was to
be the scene of the meeting of 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 for personal wrongs
suffered at foemens hands. This hour
came just as the summer lay dying, beau
tiful beyond telling even in her decay, for
nature crowned the passing seasons brow
with her choicest glories to hide its fading.
dress of rifleman's green and stood bright
and rudy III artillery scarlet, while. banners
of many hued leaves and vines swung lightly
from the mountains side, Close to the
pretty singing brook that wound its silver
ribbon about the foot of the grim old
wide-mouthed ca1non-with a horrid threat
in each dark throat-blots in the peaceful
scene, and hundred or more stern
voiced, gloomy-eyed men stood behind
them looking for the foe who was coming
presently down the road: The sun rose
higher and higher. yelling its face
from what was to come in a purple haze,
when tramp, tramp came the advancing
army, marching down to what each man
knew would in all probability be a battle
essary to take the battery that held the
narrow road.
Each party reserved it's fire by order. and
only the tread of feet, the CLEAN of fixed
bayonets, and a low growing of commands
from an officer here and there betrayed the
GRAND of these invaders to that quiet spot
But as the two lines of set, defiant faces
glared into each other something happened.
Out from the sumach bushes on the side of
the road marched tiny figure, brayely
dragging after il in the dust a sword. The
big hat with its haunting feather had fallen
over one blue eye, but the other glanced joy
ously from one body of soldiers to the other.
He marched with great dignity down be-
tween the two lines ana paused about to
speak when forward ran every man from
both sides and closed upon him.
But oh! no harm was meant. for the baby
form and little face had awakened tender
memories of such another at home. rs of
ones own happy childhood in every breast,
and with a common impulse to snatch him
from his perilous place, each bounded for
ward, fearful lest the other side open fire
and shot pierce that tiny soldiers uniform.
But the crowd of mingled blue and gray
clad men gave back quickly. when flying
figure, with gay turban all awry and check
ed dress, sailing in its self-created breeze,
dashed in its midst.
Gimme that child here,' cried Aunt
Dicey Historically. ''Iu'n round here, my
angel pettikins, an let yo' NANNY see If
desc here scamps done hut my sugar lump
She examined the child carefully and
then holding him while that valiant war
rior wept loudly and bitterly harangued
the soldiers.
"You'se pretty lot. amt yer now:
Comm here getting up fuss right 10
spectacle people, till declar dis yer baby
had ter come ter shame YOU It's low