The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-06-12
THE BABY TRUMPETER
BY HhIzHBETH HERMAN.
SaeeeeeesSG eeeeeeeeeeeeeS

palgn The baggage wagons were
loaded: the horses saddled and bridled;
the soldiers, in their stout uniforms
and gray field hats, with cartridge belts
about their waists, armed with pistols,
carbines and sabers, stood waiting for
the order to mount.
Col. Warrick, equipped for field duty,
stood on his porch, pulling on his
gauntlets.
A young soldier with bugle swung
across his shoulder was at the foot of
the steps. His hair was light brown;
his blue eyes had both determined and
harum-scarum light in them; his mouth
was firm, his chin square, and his figure
was erect, slim and supple. When Mrs.
Warrick came out on the porch and
said: Good morning, Jeotfrys," pleas
antly, he took off his hat with an un-
embarrassed grace and courtesy that
one does not always see In the private
soldier.
..Jeoffrys," said the colonel, "sound
prepare to mount"
ayes, sir" said Jeotfrys, saluting, and
going down the walk to the parade
ground, where he made his bugle cry
out with an aim ost human voice, full of
a mans glory in his strength, and of an
ticipatlon of stirring times to come.
"You're not going to take that child
with your" said Mrs. WarriIk.
"Of COURSE said the colonel; hes
in the service and must take his chances
with the rest
"But you could have left him behind.
You are going to leave two trumpeters,
aren't you?"
eyes. but the Baby Trumpeter would
die of chagrin If he were one of them.
He's so glad that he's going to see real
service that he wants to dance and
shout. Poor fellow!"
The colonel's voice was kind and sad.
lie was thinking of the little boy who
died IL years ago.
TRY to take care of him. Think how
his mother would feel If he should be
killed. said Mrs. Warrick.
.Oh, yes, I'll keep my eye on him.
said the colonel. .Good-by old lady"
Their hands met In firm clasp of
real affection and good-fellowship.
"Good-by, DEAR" said Mrs. Warrick.
"God bless you. Come back with your
scalp-or even without it-only comet"
Two months had passed. and it was
now late in the summer The regiment
what was left of twas encamped
on the banks of n narrow stream in In
dian Territory. The faces that the fire
light fckered on were stern. In front
of the coonel's tent the colonel and his
staff were supping ogether-supping
on a small piece of bacon and half cup
of coffee apiece. When the meal was
finished the colonel told the Baby Trum-
peter to sound the officers call.
AS the officers assembled Jeoffrys
took his stand behind the colonel's chair,
and everyone waited to hear what the
colonel was going to say.
Gentlemen" he began, 1--WE have
barely enough food left to last, with the
utmost care, two day longer. The Seven
teenth cavalry, that was to have been
sent to help us, and to bring provisions,
is doubtless now on the march, but, ow-
ing to our Unexpected change of course,
is marching in an exactly opposite direc-
ton. Unless we can reach it we must
starve, and to attempt to reach it is
suicidal, for, as you know, we are sur
rounded by more than ten times our
number of well-armed Indians, and our
ammunition is practically gone. want
any Of you, who can suggest anything,
TO do it."
For few moments silence reigned
Then the Baby Trumpeter stepped up
and saluted.
Colonel" he said, "let me go and
bring the Seventeenth TO you"
The colonel looked at him with a
growing sense of surprise on his face.
''Why, Jeoffrys," he said, tits per-
fectly wild idea. And even If anyone
should be reckless enough to undertake
such task, it should be an old soldier
-one who has had experience With In
dams"
II have had experience with them for
two months, sir" said Jeoffrys, with a
grin.
"Yes, and you have done WE'LL" said
the colonel, and Jeoffrys drew a quick
breath of Qualification. 80 WE'LL" the
colonel went on, "that don't want to
throw you away uselessly."
"ButIbeHeyeI could make it, colonel, -
said JeoiTrys. Let me go!"
'You don't realize the danger"
"Yes, sir, do, but nothing venture,
nothing win,'" and again Jeoffrys
grinned.
Every well, Jeoffrys, yolNnay try it,
said the colonel. IL don't know that il
is any pleasanter to be butchered in com
pany than alone, and as butchery is APP
parently whit awaits us all, you may
tahe the lonely death If you choose"
''Thank you, sir" said Jeoifrys, as if
q great favor had been conferred upon
him.
In half an hour he was back again at
the colonels tent ready TO start.
"What are your orders, sir?" said
Jeoffrys.
81 have none" said the colonel. Then,
as he loked at the eager, handsome boy,
his face softened.
"Jeoffrys, how old are you?" he said.
II enlisted as 81, and that's the only
lie l ever told, colonel; but had to get
in the armyl / couldn't wait! I'll be
90 next month, sir-but please don't
tell"
"Never, on my honor!" said the
colonel.
You see, sir" said Jeoffrys, my
mother had persuaded me not TO accept
an appointment to West Point when il
was offered 10 me Her only brother