The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-30

lngton army ana his lost son were
the same. He went home and told
his wife the story, and she was GER
tain of it. Accordingly Mr.. Holden
started for New York, where General
Washington and his army were then
stationed. There were no railroads
or telegraphs then, remember; moth
ing but horses and stage coaches.
The best he could do by travelling on
horseback was to reach General
Washington's headquarters in seven
days.
General Knox received the Massa-
chusetts farmer with cordiality that
put him at ease in a moment; and
Mr.. Holden found no difficulty in
stating his Grand.
"There is your boy, sir" exclaimed
the interested general, pointing to a,
young fellow in a soldiers suit, gay
with brass buttons, who was playing
on fife. "He is drilling some raw
recruits. That boy is captain gener-
al Of us all, sir. / have never known
him to whimper or say 4 can't, al
though he is the youngest of us"
The fifer was sent for in the col
onel'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 the corner of the
tent.
In a moment the boy was in his
fathers arms and sobbing like
baby. The fathers tears mingled
with the long lost sons, and the re-
doubtable general was obliged to re-
sort to his handkerchief as he with
drew.
After the father and son had had
short visit General Knox returned to
conduct them to the headquarters of
the commander-in chief. General
Washington received Mr.. Holden
very kindly, and said, smiling'y:
II hear story that sounds like
romance in the midst of war;. Tell
me, my little fifer, how you came to
leave your parents without their
knowledge and join my army at such
a tender age? You never ran away,
did your
''No, sir, never" answered John
with spirit. Il was playing with my
dog Zip, on Sorrel hill, when a big
wagon full of men came along. They
stopped when they saw me, and one
of them called out, 'Hullo, my little
fifer! We are looking for you. Jump
in | asked them if the British bulls
and lions were here, and they said,
yes, hurry up? l jumped in, sir,
and that's the way it happened"
Mr.. Holden remembered for the
first time what he had said long ago
when John asked him if he would be
needed when the British bulls and
lions appeared.
Johns story was met by burst of
laughter quite unusual with Wash
ington. Then patting the boys rosy
cheeks, the general said: "After this
YOU must give us some music, nv
lad"
And John, quite elated, rendered
stirring march.
Il don't see how we can part with
this brave boy of yours" said Gener-
al Washington to Mr.. Holden, when
the boy had finished playing; "but
parents have the first claim
John was then ordered to go and
dismiss the men he had been drilling
and he departed with martial sa-
lutte to his superiors. an 81 will be
back in five minutes" to his father.
Mr.. Holden, left alone, told the
story of the mothers deep faith, and
added, "John seems to be in his ele
ment here"
Then General Washington told the
gratified parent an incident, showing
the spirit of the lad.
when l, with a number of my
suite approached the vicinity of Mon
mouth Court House" said he, II was
met by little musician who archly
cried out: They are all coming this
way, your HONOR
"'Who are coming this way?' said
|.
"'Why, our boys, your honorl Our
boys! and the British are right after
themp
"'Impossible.' cried; but spur
ring my Lorse, found the boys
story oaly too true"
HE is good boy" added Gener-
al Knox, sand invaluable in training
raw recruits. If they are homesick he
talks kindly with them, and cheers
them wonderfully with his ardent
patriotism"