The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-05-29

him to be brought to his tent.
Now. my boy" said the officer, look
ing intently into the child's homes
brown eyes. I'm going to send 70 uon Al
importanterrand. Though you are boy
you must have the courage Of man.
The boy made no reply. He was look
ing straight at tho General.
II want you to take th's'-he held u
something that looked like pill. 1T
. roll Of tissue paper in tin foil, ant
there's message written on it TAX,
1t to General -, commanding the Con
federate force at J.. You'll have I,
60 through the Yankee pickets. Do 20,
understand"
"Yes sir.''
| General" interposed an aide, impa
tiently. this is duty for me, not fol
| this child"
"IIow could you pass the enemy's
pickets?' demanded the General, sharp
ly. Then, without permitting a reply
he went on giving the boy his instruc
tons.
You are SO young that l think the
pickets will let you 60 where YOU
please"
I'm twelve" interrupted Tom.
"Are you? Well, you must keep VI
stout heart, and not look frightened
II reckon / won't be scared consid'
able"
Take this" The General put his
finger into the pocket of the boys JACKIE,
to see il it was whole; then rolling the
pellet in . piece of newspaper he
slipped it into the pocket IF you must
lose it, swallow it,
The boy looked surprised, but said
Il will" resolutely.
The General took the little fellow by
the hand. 1t was a curious contrast,
the grizzly-bearded, rough commander
looking down from his six feet two into
the boys little round face, and holding
the chubby fist in his knotty hand. lie
was loath to relinquish it: loath to lei
the boy 60 lie was loath 10 send a
child on perilous errand. lie could
have sent man without compunction,
even if he knew the chances were nine
in ten that he would be shot; but this
boy
60" he said, suddenly, and motioned
the aide TO take him away. Another
moment and he could not have done it.
Tom Lane, Junior, now advanced to
the dignity Of Confederate courier, was
placed on good-natured horse which
was to carry him on his journey. The
aide took him to the Confed crate picket
line, and started him of up the road.
He stood looking at the faxen-haired
urchin, whose little legs stuck out on
either side over the round TANKS Of the
horse at an obtuse angle, wishing that
he might call him back. He watched
the boy till he rounded a curve in the
road. The young courier turned and
smiled; smile OF innocence, Of cour.
age, Of conscious pride in the work tl
be done. In another moment he was
lost to the officers view.
That day passed and the next The
commander. who was awaiting the out
come Of his plan OF communication. did
little but pace anxiously back and forth
before his tent Though abrupt in man.
ner, he was usually singularly kind to
those under his orders. Now he seemed
the very incarnation Of military sever
ity. When twenty-four hours had
passed and his courier did not return, he
became SO crUsty that no member Of his
staff cared to approach him.
On the second evening at dusk the
pickets heard the Gathering OF horses
hoofs on the pike. A horse came in
sight, and on lis back vas the little
courier. hatless, swaying in the saddle,
but riding at gallop. The soldiers
grasped the bride and stopped him.
Take me to the General, quick!'
He was deathly pale, and blood
trickled down his side. They led the
horse toward headquarters; mar
walked on either side to sustain the
boy in the saddle. As they proceeded
the courier told his story in detached
sentences
He found no difficulty in getting with
in the Union lines, but had been Obliged
to try several times before he could sue
coed in leaving them. He reached tn,
Confederate army late at night, deliv
cred his message. and was we'll caret
for by order Of the General command
ing.
The next morning reply to the mes
sage he had brought was given him an,
he started back. Again he passed fre,
into the Union lines, and again he foun'
difficulty in leaving the lines on the or
posite side. At last, getting some dis
lance beyond . picket who was watch
ing him, he resolved to make dash fol
it. Il thought he wouldn't shoot me,
said Tom, : case war SO little.
reckon he couldn't see who war fur tn,
trees n things"
where are you hit?' asked one o
the men.
Here" He put his hand to his lef
| side below tho heart. go on, quick
I'm weakenin'."
When the party arrived in front Of tn,
tent they found the General still walk
ing back and forth in deep anxiety
When he saw his little messenger sittin,
on the horse, pale and bleeding, h
strobe up to him and brushing away tn
men, without word took him in hi
arms, carried him into his tent and lai
him on his own camp cot. Then he ben
over him and groaned.
| The boy took from his mouth pelle
similar to the one he had carried ON hi
journey outward and held it to the Ger
eral. The soldier took it, but for fe,
moments was too much moved to ope
it. Then suddenly remembering its in
portance, he unrolled it and read i,
contents.
''Good!" he said, his face momentaril
Frightening. Calling for his chief {
staff, he ordered that the men be put i
readiness to march at . moments notice
This done he seemed to forget ever
thing again but the wounded boy.
my brave boy" he said. kneeling b
him and putting his arms about hin
''We owe you every thing. You can
be much hurt. You must not be niue
hurt You must get we'll and will pl
you on my staff. You shall be a littl
Captain. You have accomplished NOR
for the cause than ever have"
"A Camp" exclaimed the how