The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1890-05-30

induce . boy to betray his father. The
lad started on. The sergeant was about
70 rido forward and stop him. but the
officer ordered him back. The troop
rode on 10 q croSs-road which led 10 q
wood 70 the right; then turned down
this road and entered the wood. Find
ing . spring Of water, they went into
bivouac. A man was detailed 10 ride
after tho boy. and secure the missive be
intended TO drop In the letter-box.
The soldiers pickcted their horses and
cooked their supper. While they were
eating. the man who had been sent for
the letter came In. The officer unfolded
the little scrap OF paper, and read this
scrawl In child's hand:
MARcH THuRD.
DEnr MACY; ! want you fur 10 be mi sweet
hart. Wen ! ~ q man J agoen fur TO be a soger.
hi pop IS agocn TO bring me q gun. He's comen
hoam TO morrer. Nav she sails I'm 10 little fur
a gun but ! reckon III get II any way. lnres
trevly. Q LANE JuSYER~
The officer spelled out this communi-
ton with some difficulty. and put il in
his pocket. IL contained all the infor-
nation he wanted lie had now nothing
to do butte wait in order to capture Tom
Lane. guerilla.
The next morning the boy was play
ing in the road not far from his fathers
house. A Confederate officer. with stars
on his coat-collar, rode up, followed by
his stan, and asked him some questions
about the topography OF the country.
which the boy answered promptly. The
General praised him for a smart boy,
and then said: 'You seem TO know the
country pretty we'll. DO you know the
road TO -"
) Yes. sir
Can you ridc?"
Ride, Reckon / can ride, Amt done
nothin' else sencc | was little"
How would you like to carry . mes
sage for me?"
* amt no Yank are W"
2 lin a Confederate officer"
FIJI do any Thin for our ~sojers," said
. Tom. with a proud flash in his eye.
j., Then come with me-" and, without
: ceremony, the child was put on the back
} Of a led horse beside a cavalryman. and
= rode with the General and his stan to
2 headquarters. When they arrived at
camp. the General turned the child over
= to an aide. but in half an olr ordered
y him to be brought to his tent.
= Now. my boy" said the officer. look
, ing intently into the child's honest
9 brown eyes. I'm going TO send 70 uon an
!. importanterra Though you are a boy,
q you must have the courage of a man."
!" The boy made no reply. lie was look
y ing straight at the General.
!, II want you to take this"-he held III
q something that looked like a pill. 1T
a roll Of tissue paper in tin foil, ant
y there's a message written on 1t. TAKE
" il TO General --. commanding tho Con
y federatc force at T.. You'll have Y
:, 60 through the Yankee pickets. Do yo'
:. Understand
y Eyes. sir"
> ..General.' in~tcrposed an aide. impa
:. tiently. this isa duty for me, not 70
\ this child"
le "How could you pass the enemy
pickets?r demanded the General, sharp
IL. Then. without permitting a reply
10 he went on giving the boy his instrus
~ tions.
SO you are so young that ! think th
~ pickcts will let you 60 where 70
please
I'm twelve" interrupted Tom.
Are you? Well, you must keepu
a stout heart. and not look frightened.
II II reckon / won't be scared consid
able"
Take this The General put hi
finger into the pocket OF the boys JACKIE
10 see IL it was whole; then rolling tn
rs pellet in . piece OF newspaper b
an slipped 1t into the pocket III you mu'
lose ii. swallow it."
The boy looked surprised. but sais
II will" resolutely.
The General took the little fellow b
the hand. II was a curious contras
e. the grizzly-bearded, rough commando
looking down from his six feet two I'M
the boys little round face, and holdin
'se the chubby fist in his knotty hand. II
was loath to ~rclinquish IL; loath to X
the hoy 20. lie was loath to send
child on a p~erilous errand. He coul
have sent a man without compunctio'
vs. even IL he knew the chances were mir
81 IN ten that he would be shot; but tn
N boy
90. he said. suddenly, and motione
GU the aide 10 take him away. Anoth
anu ne coulu hVt hasc uoi'V
az Tom Lane. Junior, now advanced
the dignity Of Confederate courier, vi
=, placed on a ~good-natured horse whis
q. was TO carry him on his journey. II
~ aide took him to the Confederate pick
=" line. and started him of UP the rca
lie stood looking at the ~faxcn-hair'
~. urchin, whose little legs stuck out I
~ either side over the round TANKS OF u
Nj horse at an obtusc angle, wishing th
he might call him back. lie watch'
the boy till he rounded q curve in y
road. The young courier turned al
smiled; q smile Of innocence, OF Gov
/. age. Of conscious pride in the work
! be done. In another moment he W
"a. lost to the officers view.
That day passed and the next. Al
commander. who was awaiting the Q,
n come Of his plan Of communication, d
little but pace anxiously back and Tor
n before his tent. Though abruptin ma
a ncr. he was usually singularly kind
those under his orders. Now hescem
7 the very incarnation OF military sew
ity. When twcnty-four hour b
~ - $50