Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-01-01
REBEL IN THE WOODS.

When the ablebodied citizens of tho
village formed a company and marched.
away to the war, Major Tom Boldin as
sumed in manner the burden of the
village cares. Everybody ran to him
when they felt obliged to discuss their
affairs. The sorrows Of the town were
dragged before him. His little bench at
the sunny side of Migglesville tavern
became a sort of an open court where
people came 30 speak resentfully of their
grievances. He accepted his position
and struggled manfully under the load.
II behoovCd him rs a man who had seen
the sky red over the quaint low cities of
Mexico and the compact northern bayo-
nets cleaning on the narrow roads
One warm summer day the major sat
asleep on his little bench. There was
lull in the tempest Of discussion which
usually enveloped him. His cane. by
use Of which he could make the most
tremendous and impressive gestures, re-
posed beside him. His hat lay upon the
bench, and his old bald head had swung
forward until his nose actually touched
the first button of his waistcoat.
The sparrows wrangled desperately in
tho road, defying perspiration. Once a
team went jangling and creaking past,
raising yellow blur Of dust before the
soft tones Of the field and sky. In the
long grass of the meadow across the
road the insects chirped and clacked
eternally.
Suddenly q frowzy headed boy ap-
peared in the roadway, his bare feet
pattering rapidly. He was extremely
excited. He gave a shrill whoop as he
discovered the sleeping major and rush
ed toward him. He created a terrific
panic among some chickens that had
been scratching intently near the majors
feet They clamored III an insanity OF
fear and rushed hither and thither seek
ing way Of escape, whereas in reality
ell ways lay open to them.
This tumult caused the major &c
arouse with a sudden little jump of
amazement and apprehension. He rub
bed his eyes and gazed about him
Meanwhile some clever chicken had dis
covered passage to safety and led the
flock into the garden, where they
eQuaWkeu IN sustained alarm.
Painting from his run and choked
with terror, the little boy stood before
the major, struggling with tale that
was ever upon the tip Of his tongue.
"Major-now-major"-
The old man, reused from a delicious
slumbor, glared impatiently at the lit
tie boy.
Come comel What's tn matter
with yeh?" he demanded. What's tn
matter Don't stand there shaking
Speak upl'
Lots is tn matter" the little boy
shouted valiantly, with a courage born
OF the importance of his tale my mas
chickens us all stole. ali now-he's
over in the woodsl''
"Who is? Who is over in the woods?
Go aheadp'
"Now-th' rebel isl''
WHAT" roared the major.
9TH rebelW cried the little boy with
the last breath.
The major bounced from his bench in
tempestuous excitement He seized the
little boy by the collar and gave him a
great jerk.
"Wherei Are yeh sure? Who saw
'im7 How long ago? Where is he now?
Did yeh see imp
The little boy. frightened at the ma
jor's fury, began to sob. After mo-
ment he managed to stammer:
Hes now--he = in the woodsl / saw
i'm lie looks uglier'n anything!"
The major released his hold upon the
boy, and, pausing for time, INDUCED
In o glorious dream.
"By thunder, we'll ketch the cussi
Yeh wait here, he told the boy, IAN
don't say word T. anybody. Do ysh
Asszr'