The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-09-04
TILE 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 a 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
an unheard of thing in little Johns
life. What was his surprise, then, as
his father rode up to the gate, to see
him hand out long black case, saying:
Here, my boy, see what I've brought
you for a 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 practced 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 be a man that he might join
the "rebellious colonists." And one day
he received n compliment which set him
thinking of matters in way the older
mem bers of his family never mistrusted.
A visitor from Boston was at the
rm-houSe, 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 y
stirring march or two the stranger ex-
claimed: Upon my word! But the boy
has the soul Of music in him! lie will
be ready for the British bulls and lions
when it 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 60 to war with
my ffe?"
"To be sure" answered his father,
laughingly. They could not get along
without you
Long after his father had forgotten
this incident John Holden took his dog
Zip, and his darling fife, and went to
. favorite hill on the place to practice.
At night the dog came back alone and
going straight up to the boys chamber
began to moan and cry, and would not
leave Johns bed.
The family were greatly alarmed, and
instantly OWNED that something had
happened to John.
Soon the whole town was in commo-
ton: for the news that John Holden
was lost flew like wild-fire. Bands of
ing the woods in every direction.
Indians had been travelling through
the town recently. Had they carried
off the boy? or had they stolen the val
liable fife and thrown the boy into the
river? The woods were hunted through
and through; the river was dragged;
notices of the lost boy were sent in
every direction; but weeks heightened
into months and no clue was obtained
that threw the faintest glimmer of
light on the strange disappearance.
Everybody believed Inn to be dead,
or with the cruel Indians. Everybody
but one. The boys mother never lost
faith In his being safe somewhere:
My boy is in Gods hands," she
would say. I'm His good time John
will come home"
And nothing could move her from
this belief while two anxious years
slipped by.
In the meantime war had broken out,
and Shirley had sent her full quota of
men to fight for the country's independ-
ence. 1t was through one of these that
a rumor reached Mr. Holden that a bow
of twelve was in General Washington's
army as fifer.
Jonas Holden was impressed with the
certainty that the boy in Washington's
army and his lost son were the same.
He went home and told his wife the
story, and she was certain of it. Accord
ingly Mr.. Holden started for New York,
where General Washington and his
army were then stationed. There were
no railroads or teiagraphs then, remem-
Der; nothing but horses and stage
coaches. Mr.. Holden chose the former,
and the best he could do, by travelling
on horseback, was to reach General
Washington's headquarters in seven
days.
When he finally drew rein at the out
posts of the Con tinental 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 a cordiality that
put him at his ease in a moment; and
Mr.. Holden found no difficulty in stating
his errand.
There is your boy. sir!" exclaimed
the interested General, pointing to
young fellow in a soldiers suit, gaV
with brass buttons, who was playing on
fife. HE is drilling some raw re-
cruits. That boy is Captain General of
US all, sir. l 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: Ibid 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
kOnp-1OSf oon,c md tho ro1 o,,b%,h1o