The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-12-26

youth see me go past, and you'll say to
your husband and children--for it'll be
some time yet: See, that's Boy
Sladen, of the band, that I nursed
through afever.' And I shall know what
you say, although l shan't be able to
look. I'm certain that if you're about
Il shall know"
HBut," said Nurse Gaughan, "hadn't
you better 60 to sleep? Do try and rest
a little"
Il don't want to go to Sleep" said
Boy Sladen. "Why, the menn be parad-
ing soon. Even if 1 went to sleep /
should wake up as soon as / heard the
band play and the tramp Of the feet.
I'll go to sleep when they've left bar
racks. That'n be two hours yet. Won't
you try and go to sleep a bit, nurse; you
look so tired and worn out? Do try OF
I'll feel I'm a nuisance"
Nurses mustn't sleep on duty" said
Nurse Gaughan, 'but I'll sit in the chair,
if that will please you"
SWELL, do that, them said Boy Sladen.
Nurse Gaughan, weary with watch
ing, felt a drowsiness steal over her that
she could not conquer. She glanced
more than onceIat her charge, but he
made no sign of wanting her help, and
when she last looked his eyes were
closed and he seemed to be asleep. No
sound broke the silence, and Nurse
Gaughan also closed her eyes and slum-
bered,
Boy Sladen's sleep was short and
troubled. His delirium was returning,
and when he woke he started up in bed
and looked wildly about. Nurse
Gaughan slept on, and Boy Sladen, hear.
ing the shutting of feet outside, cast the
bedelothes silently from him and crept
noiselessly to the window. He saw the
men falling in, and a mad idea seized
him. He glanced at the nurse, who slum-
bered still, then crept softly past her,
and as soon as he was outside ran swift
Iy toward the battalion. He was in rear
of the men, and no one saw him coming.
The drum major, pompous in de-
meanor, and rigid in the wealth Of gold
and scarlet that q generous people gave
him, had taken up his post at the head
of the band. The staff, with the great
silver ornament at the head of it, was
gracefully balanced against his tunic,
and the drum major was pulling on his
white gloves just a shade more, for the
women were watching from the mar
ried quarters. Suddenly the stair was
wrenched away, and hooking in stupid
amazement for the cause, he saw Boy
Sladen standing beside him. clad only
in his nightdress, bare-headed AND bare
footed.
A wild light was shining in Boy
Sladen's eyes. He planted the staff
firmly on the ground at arms length,
then twirled it round his head as he had
seen the drum major twirl it, and before
anyone had time to speak, he cried:
"Strike up the March Of Gordon''
own" He stepped out gravely, as the
drum major did, and turned the staff
rythmicalIy and in graceful circles in
the air.
The colonel's quick eye had taken in
the scene, and his quick ear had caught
Boy SIaden's words. Its the last favor
he'll ever need" he muttered, and he re
peated the command.
The drums were beaten bravely, the
cymbals FLASHED melodionsly, and the
reed and brass made martial music as
the battalion crunched the gravel OF the
parade to the March of Gordon's Own
An hour later Boy sladen, Of the band,
was dead. But he was satisfied. Hs
had realized his ambition.-The Strand