The Press., 1890-07-17
aMOTHER MUST KNOW IT.n

"MUfHEk mUSE AMVW Ixs0
 Myron Fielding was not quite fourteen years old when the leader of the "Newton Band" asked him if he thought he could play the tenor drum.
 His father had been drummer boy during the war, and Myron took to music like @ fish to water, so, with his mothers consent, he became member of the ''band," as we'll as the envy of all the town-boys.
 It was proud day in his life, when, dressed in his bright new uniform, he made his first appearance with the band boys in public. Several times through the summer he went with his companions to play at exhibitions, fairs and political meetings. No boy could have entered in- to the pleasures of these little trips with more delight than Myron, whose excur- | sions hitherto had been confined to the neighboring villages.
 A few weeks ago his band was invited to play at soldiers reunion, and on that occasion the soldiers son was allowed to beat the drum that had so often cheered the brave men when carried by his father. For several years after the war was over, his father had been accustomed to take his place in the regimental band at these reunions, but since his death the men had marched to the beat of stranger, and when they learned that the little drummer was the son of their old comrade they gave him royal welcome.
 | The band had arranged to return home on the morning of the third day, but at the close of the second nights camp fire, Colonel Madox announced that the regi- ment had accepted very pressing invita- ton to attend the dedication of the new court house in the adjoining county, and that an extra train would be at the service of the soldiers at nine o'clock in the morn ing.
 "I cannot go," said Myron, positively, when he learned that the band had ar- ranged to go along. .-...
 "But you must, replied John Travers, the leader. "What would a military pa- rade be without drump Of course you must go, for we want to do our best, and every fellow must be at his post and do his duty"
 | 'I cannot go unless can find some way of sending word to mother," insisted the boy; yvo,, o,,, ,.o,, ., e..
 tel" was the reply.
 "She would not get it until evening. You know the mail does not reach Newton
 until four o'clock in the afternoon"
 "I can't see what difference that makes. I We will be home in the morning, and
 twenty -four hours will not change any of your prospects seriously.
 "It is not that,' argued Myron. 'T
 have no special work calling me back, but
 l will not leave mother in suspense whole day. She is not strong, and her anxiety
 would be apt to make her sick" 'sShe is not so foolish as all that" laugh
 ed Travers.
 "I can go home on the four o'clock train
 and back on the eight" said Myron, after a moments thought.
 'And walk six miles between trains"
 was the reply.
 "I can soon skip over that distance"
 said Myron.
 "You are queer chap" laughed Trav- ! CTS. "Mind, if you fail us tomorrow, some other fellow will get your place."
 'Ill be on hand. It only requires fif- } teen minutes to make the distance, so I ] will have three and half solid hours for my walk. I'll not disappoint you." 3 The next morning, little before six, 5 rang the bell at his mothers door. "Is t that you, Myron? I was not looking for you so soon, said his mother, thrusting ] her head out of the window. "Never mind, mother, l have only a i. minute to stay, l came to tell you that
 we are going down to Ashland to the dedi- ], cation of the courthouse, and will not be @ home until tomorrow. I must be back at : the station to catch the eight o'clock ac |. commodation.
 a ''Then you took this long tramp to save t me days anxiety Not one boy in a
 hundred would have been so thoughtful" {" 8 declared his mother, proudly. ' Hastily swallowing his breakfast, he . hurried back to keep his appointment D with Travers.
 '- "Where is our little drummer boy ?? & asked Colonel Madox, when the regiment + was about to break camp. g He'll be here on time," said Travers, i. and then he went on to explain what the e little fellow had done. "He is a queer Q chap, Colonel, but he'll be here on time ii !. he has to foot every step of the road" d 'It is 8 pity that there are not more l. queer fellows like him." replied the col n onel. "Boys who will not give their moth j. CTS an hours uneasiness will not be apt to e go very far astray. I admire the lads ], pluck and will hold our train back until he arrives
 e He'll be on hand never knew him to . break an engagement in his life" said h Travers. 'tHere he comes now," he added T as Myron made his appearance round q IT curve.
 e "You're just in time, my boy" said the d colonel, grasping his hand. "Always be
 good to your mother, and never do any a thing that you would be ashamed for hel d to know. Mothers are the best friends 6 boys have, but it takes some fellows g ]. whole lifetime to find it out"