Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1890-05-24

a roll OF tissue paper IN IN !o!4' anu
there's a message written on l. Take
it 70 General -. commanding the Con
tederate force at i You'll have TO
60 through the Yankee pickets. DO you
understand?
YES sir
General" interposed an aide, impa-
tiently, this is duty for me, not for
this child"
How could you pass the enemy's
pickets?" demanded the General, sharp
ly. Then, without permitting a reply,
he went on giving the boy his ins,ruc-
tons.
"You are so young that | think the
pickets will let you 90 where you
please"
I'm twelve" interrupted Tom.
Are you? Well, you mus, keepup
a stou; heart and not look frightened.
Il reckon l won't be scared consid'-
able"
Take this The General put: his
finger into the pocket Of the boy Jacket
10 see if i. was whole; then rolling the
pellet in a piece of newspaper he
slipped it into the poke. III you must
lose it, swallow it"
The boy looked surprised, but said:
II will" re~solutely.
The General took the little fellow by
the hand. It was a curious contrast,
the grizzly bearded, rough commander
looking down from his six fee, TWO into
the boys little round face. and holding
the chubby fist in his knotty hand. lie
was loath to relinquish it; loath TO let
the boy 60. He vas loath TO send a
child on a perilous errand He could
have sent a man without. conjunction,
even il he knew the chances were nine
in ten that ne would be shot; but this
boy
Go he said, suddenly, and motioned
the aide 70 take him away. Another
moment and he could not have done it.
Tom Lane, Junior, now advanced 10
the dignity Of a Confederate courier, was
placed on a gooi.natured horse which
was 10 carry him on MS journey, The
aide took him to the Conted crate picket
line, and started him off up the road.
He stood lookingAt the f~axen-haired
urchin, whose little legs stuck on. on
either side over the round hanks OF the
horse a. 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; a smile Of innocence, Of cour
age, of conscious pride in the work Il
be done. In another momen: he va.
lost 10 the officers view,
That day passed and the next The
commander, who was awaiting the out
come Of his plan Of communication, die
little but pace a%nxiously back and forth
before his tent Though abruptin man
ner, he was usually singularly kind t,
those under his orders. Now heseemel
the very incarnation Of military sever
ity. When twenty-tour hours hat
passed and his courier did not return, h
became so crusty that no member Of hi
staff cared to approach him.
On the second evening at dusk th
pickets heard the Gathering OF a horse
hoofs on the pike. A horse came i
sight, and on his back vas the littl
courier, hatless, swaying in the saddle
but riding at a gallop. The soldier
grasped the bride and stopped him.
Take me to the General, quick
He was deathly pale, and bloc
trickled down his side. They led tn
horse toward headquarters; a ma
walked on either side to sustain tn
boy in the saddle. As they ~proceede
the courier told his story in detache
sentences.
He found no difficulty i getting Will
in the Union lines, but had been oblige
TO try several times before he could su
coed in leaving them. He reached IL
Confederate army late at night, deli
cred his message, and was well care
for by order OF the General commsn0
ing.
. The next morning a reply TO the me
sage he had brought was given him al
he started back. Again he passed fr
into the Union lines. and again he foul
difficulty in leaving the lines on the Q
posite side. At last, getting some d
!, tance beyond a picket who was waite
ing him, he resolved 10 make a dash (
it. II thought he wouldn't shoot me
{ said Tom, case | war so little.
. reckon he couldn't see who | wal fur /
c trees n things"
Where are you hit?' asked one
the men.
Here" He put his hand to his Il
side below the heart. go on, quiC
lin weakenin'.'
When the party arrived in front OF I
tent they found the General still wa
ing back and forth in deep ankle
When he saw his little messenger sitti
on the horse, pale and bleeding,
strobe up to him and brushing away
men. without a word took him in
arms, carried him into his tent and i
. him OF his own camp cot Then he b,
. over him and groaned.
The boy took from his mouth a pei
: similar TO the one he had carried on
journey outward and held it to the q
D. eral. The soldier took it, but for a 1
moments was too much moved to OF
m, it Then suddenly remembering it's
no portance, he unrolled it and read
ony contents.
"a Good" he said, his face momental
Frightening. Calling for his chief
ID. staff, he ordered that the men be pu'
10 readiness to march at q moments not
do This done he seemed to forget ev
he thing again but the wounded boy.
"My brave boy" he said, kneelin g
md him and putting his arms about h
ere 1--WE owe you every thing. You G.
be much hurt. You must not be m
led hurt You must get well and | will
his you on my staff. You shall be a Ii
Captain. You have accomplished n
D. for the cause than | ever have"
'et "A Cap'n?' exclaimed the boy.
Yes, a Captain. Any thing.
fur shall always be with me-"
Tres A transient look Of pleasure pa.
4 over the boys pale face. Then
mi seemed to remember something. 90
in better send me hoam. NY pop W
Ior- know whar / ben"
ing "Fll take you home myself. Orde
get an ambulance. Bring banda
Be quick. whv doesn't the SURG
lay. Gomez"
er's The ambulance came, and the SURG