The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1893-09-23
GENERAL SHERIDAN AND HIS
"RASCALLY LITTLE SOL
DIERS."

ineton.
house ran four children, talking ana
laughing, and having lively sklrmlsn
| With papa. who, bareheaded. went out
to hold the rugged looking pony oy
tha head, while Agnes, the pretty, slim
eldest dsur::ter, climbed to the drivers
seat; the y"t;-3er twin girls came next
and roliicking, mischieVous Phil tun-
bled in after them.
The father was Gel.ral Phil Sherl,
dan, "Flghting Phil" and as he shaded
bis keen eyes from the sunlight Wttn
! his hand, he threw kisses to the llttle
ones. an watched the small pony trot
| down the broad avenue until they we're
out of sight.
Another General, and an old tried
| friend, stood in the door, and waited
till the picture was gone. =,
"Phil, how do you manage 'em?"
"Don't manage! >,
.But you managed an army we'll.
You we're q pretty good general, hey?
Good on campaigns! Uncommon
| goodI'
Different affair, John, altogether
| different! Oh, these rascslIy SOL
diers. and their eternal mischief! 1t
only takes about tour to make an
army"
The two men sat down on the stone
door step. They soberly talked Of old
| times, old days, old soldiers, hard
work and strange experiences, until
the conversation turned again to the
| children.
"Rascaily little soldiers, John, and
eternal mischiefs; but all the
man there is in me, they manage
to bring out. They are the best COM
rades I ever had, John!'
Fighting Phil'' looked sober ano
gentle as woman; flush rose to his
cheeks, and light came into his eyes,
as he talked.
'.No? they don't make much of rules.
Their mother knows just what to do.
She is a wonderful little mother, John,
don'5 see how she came to have me,
Il suppose to get rid of you'll For
they do say, Phil, that you we're I'm
love as in war" little persistent; ever
herolcallT persistent.
The general taking no notice Of this
insinuation, went on; "Such resources
as these children have, too! Inventions
peculiar to small heads and, John, |
am thinking how many pitfalls are IN
the world for youngsters"
"Wnat's 10 keep them out?"
They won't keep out! They'll fall
in!
Another little soldier mustered in
The army of temptation and Of sin
IS a suitable hymn for every little soul
that gets herel'
When little Phil was a few weeks
old a soldier friend dropped into the
Generals house, and asked to ''see the
baby" From the nurse, General Sher'
iiau took the small bundle IN his short
stout arms, hugged the warm little face
up to his neck and laughed,
Anew recruit John! worth drilling!
The rascal. He shouts command a.
ready"
"iI1r-ah for Phil Sheridan, Junior,
may be fight as wellas his father! Loob
at that plump, solemn countenance
4 tras knight; Will he be Wellington
Or Napoleon, PHILIP"
lie hero OF Winchester unrolled
folds of flannel, and embroidery; toss
e., the baby up and down o few times,
;.mssed his hand over the little round
nead, and velvet cheeks, then gave him
into the arms OF the nurse.
mo, John! We've had fighting
enough! If my boy is soldier may
lie be brave one, but God help hin
from the horrors of war, from the
Dioodshed you and l have seen! 1t
makes me shud1er now, to think Of the
years past. No." and the General
dropped his head in his hands and said
slowly-'I hope my boy may not have
to fghtl''
these s'rascally soldiers" OF loving
iather were taught endless resource ct
pleasure, healthful, Joyous and simple.
Not all the dainty gowns, sashes,
hats and trimmings, spoiled their fun
and frolic. They grew so fearless,
were so social and courteous, that in
their city home, or the pretty sea side
one, they we're noticed by all their
reighbors, and loved by everybody.
One Summer, as friend at the sea-
side watched General Sheridan and his
small comrades enjoying themselves on
the beach, he exclaimed-'1 say, Gen
eral, how is it, l don't see you banging
your soldiers about to keep them oc'
cupicd and happy, like some OF these
families over here?"
Banging, indeed! Lee me catch
my officers at it either!"
General sheridan was very short,
gerry stout, and called "a small man, "
but terrible in his wrath.
Hanging about 1 think not!
Keep 'em busy! Always busy
Never give them time to disagree.
You don't hear my children frettlng.
fretting, snarliag AMI teasing! They
tor't get time! They WORK; I notics
they are not saints; they are like sll of
! Us, self willed, strong, stubborn and
full OF pans. Let 'em alonel Let
their Little plans be carried out if pos
sib!e. They love thriving, driving
! uusiness!'
Nurse sat contente3ly lite way off,
and the four small Sheridsns led the
army on the SAM, eager, latent with
tossed about hair aat fearless conf
(ience; an army marching to the sea!
Scarlet caps aud sashes AMI wooden
yuDs. a good many drunmers and
! color bearers to the corps it may be
but a splendid, blessed, happy army.
They were II bounding health and
beauty, active as healthy, and supplied
with an immense surplus Of loving con
tentment.
One day in Washington, a lady asked
as she drove by the Sheridan place,
care those Phil. Sheridan's children?
I remember when saw tn Hero Of
Winchester for the first time. [ was
one of thousand, crowdlng into an
! afternoon reoeption at General aud