DeSoto times. (Hernando, Miss.) 1879-1898, 1890-09-18
THE LITTLE FIFER.
An Interesting Story of Revolu.
tionary War Times

More than hundred years ago there
lived in the town of Shirley, Mass,
bright, well-grown lad named John
Holden. His father was farmer,
and the little fellow trudged 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 the 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
the center of the world. A present was
on unheard-of thing in little Johns
life What was his surprise, then, as
bis father rode up to the gate, to see
Aipa hand eN+ 1"nr hlan1r oaaA. saying
Here, my boy, see what I've brought
you for birthday present"
And imagine his greater astonish-
ment, 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 the use of his newly-acquired in
strument He carried the fife every
where with him and practiced on 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-
bic, and the oppressive rule of the En-.
glish was the theme of conversation
everywhere
Little John heard much Of it. and
longed to he man that he might join
the "rebellious colonists." And one Day
hereceiveda 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. When he had played a
stirring march or two the 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 1t is necessary"
John sat quite still for some time
But before he went to bed he went to
his father and said: "Father, If the
British do come, shall go to war with
my ffe?"
10 be sure" answered his father,
laughingly. "They could not get along
without you"
Long after his father had forgotten
thls incident, John Holden took his dog
Alp' and his darling fife, and went to
> aiavorite hill on the place to practice.
Atnight the dog came back alone and
gong straight up to the boys chamber
vegan to moan and cry, and would not
leave Johns bed.
lhe family we're greatly alarmed, and
instantly OWNED that something had
happened to John.
soon the whole town was in commo-
uon' for the news that John Holden
was lost flew like wild-fre. Bands Of
Meh were organized and went search
'Ag the woods in every direction.
~ indians had been travelling through
viz ',ne town recently. Had they carried
v,, vi ,ne ooyP or had they stolen the val
,, uaOie ME and thrown the boy into tho
.'erf The woods were hunted through
snu ., through; the river was dragged;
0, aOuses OF the lost boy were sent in
,Oy ,t'ery direction; but weeks lengthened
.a .aIo months and no clue was obtained
,iss Ins' threw the faintest glimmer of
NSas r on the strange disappearance.
everybody believed him to be dead,
W., y. WIN the cruel Indians. Everybody
t"ia sds one The boys mother never lost
'"i'a In his being safe somewhere:
IVY boy is In Gods hands," she
s,i,, "vlid say, I'm His good time John
Will Come home"
ana nothing could move her from