DeSoto times. (Hernando, Miss.) 1879-1898, 1890-09-18

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| When he finally drew rein at the out.
posts OF the Continental army he made
known his desire to see General Knox,
who was with Washington at that time.
| General Knox received the Massa.
chusetts farmer with cordiality that
put him at his ease in moment; and
Mr.. Holden found no difficulty in stating
his errand.
There is your boy. sirl" exclaimed
the interested General, pointing to a
young follow in soldiers suit gay
with brass buttons, who was playing on
fife. HE is drilling some raw re-
cruits. That boy is aptainGeneral of
us all, sir. I have never known him to
whimper or say 4 can't'-although he is
the youngest of u.s."
The fifer was sent for In the Colonel's
name. AS he drew near, and lifting his
cap, asked: "Did you send for me, sir?'
his eye fell on his father, sitting In a
corner of the tent.
In moment the boy was in his faith
er's arms and sobbing like baby. The
fathers tears were mingled with the
long-lost sons and tho redoubtable Gen
eral was obliged to resort to his hand
kerchief as he withdrew. leaving father
and son alone, with the remark:
II will see our Commander-in-C Chief"
"When did you come?' said John,
when he could speak. "And how did
you find me?"
"Old Captain brought me-" was the
reply, "and he can take us both home"
"And how is mother?" pursued the
boy. ''Oh! l have been so sorry for
avar u,vtlIoI. Ieli you, father, not O.
night have l camped down to sleep
but I have thought of mother; and
every time l thought of her the tears
came. l thought perhaps she might die
and should never see her again"
"Your mother Is we'll" was the faith
er's answer. "And she has never for
one moment lost faith In your being
well and happy, and finally restored to
u.s.
Eyes, l shall return, father." said
John. "But / want this war ended
first"
After the boy had inquired for all the
family he said:
"But why didn't you bring Zip along,
too?'
Poor Zip" was the reply. He
mourned himself to death before you
had been gone week. He never
touched another mouthful of food, and
would only lie on your bed and moan" !"
General Knox soon returned with Or
ders from the Commander-in-Chief to
conduct Mr.. Holden and John to his
headquarters summons that must be
obeyed at once.
General Washington received Mr..
Holden very kindly and said, smilingly:
II hear story that sounds like ro-
NANCE in the midst Of war. Tell me,
my little fifer, how you came to leave
your parents without their knowledge,
and to join my army at such tender
age?"
John was somewhat abashed by this
direct question from 80 dignified and
august a personage; but the General
added, kindly:
"You have the name Of being one of
my bravest boys. Tell me how 1t hap
pened. You never ran away, did youP"
mo, sir, never" answered John with
spirit. II was playing with my dog
Zip, on Sorrel Hill, when a big wagon,
full of men, came along. They stopped
when they saw me, and one OF them
called out: 'Halloo, my little ifet! We
are looking for you. Jump ln.' ! asked
them If the British bulls and lions were
here, and they said; Yes, hurry up' !
jumped in, sir, and that was the way 1T
happened"
Mr. Holden then remembered for the
first time what he had said long ago,
when John asked him If he would be
needed when the British bulls and
lions appeared.
Johns story was met by burst of
laughter quite unusual with Washing
ton. Then, patting the boys rosy
cheeks, the General said: AFTER this
you must give us some music, my LAD.
And John, quite elated, rendered
stirring march.
~ don't see how we can part with
this brave boy of yours" said General
Washington to Mr.. Holden when the
boy had finished playing, "but parents
have the first claim"
John was just then ordered to 60 and
dismiss the mon he had been drilling
and he departed with martial salute
to his superiors and Il will be back IN
five minutes" to his father.
Mr.. Holden, left alone, told the
story Of the mothers deep falth ana
added: John seems to be in his ele-
ment here"
Then General Washington told the
pratif1ed parent an incident, showing
the spirit of the lad.
"When /, with number OF my suite,
onnroached the vicinity OF Monmouth