Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-01-01

you'll 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 l nursed
through fever And I shall know what
you say, although i shan't be able to
look. I'm certain that il you're about
shall know"
But" said Nurse Gaughan, hadn't
you better go to sleep? Do try and rest
little"
II don't want to go to Sleep" said
Boy Sladen. "Why, the men'l II be parad-
ing. soon. Even II l went to sleep I
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'll be two hours yet. Won't
you try and go to sleep bit, nurse; you
look so tired and worn out? Do try or
I'll feel I'm q nuisance"
Nurses mustn't sleep on duty" said
Nurse Gaughan, "but I'll sit in the chair,
If that will please you"
"Well, do that, then" said Boy Sladen.
Nurse Gaughan, weary with watch
ing, felt a drowsiness steal over her that
she could not conquer. She glanced
more than once at 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. Els 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 shuffiing of feet outside, cast the
bedclothes silently from him and crept
noiselessly to the window. He saw the
men falling in, and a mad idea seized
him. He glanced ut the nurse, who slum-
bered still, then crept softly past her,
and as.soon as he was outside ran swift
ly 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 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 staff was
wrenched away, and looking 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's
Own" He stepped out gravely. as the
drum major did, and turned the staff
rythmically and in graceful circles in
the air.
The colonel's quick eye had taken in
the scene, and his quick ear had caught
Boy Sladen's words. 'It's the last favor
he'll ever need" he muttered, and he re-
peated the command.
The drums were beaten bravely, the
cymbals clashed melodiously, 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. He
had realized his nmbition.-The Strand.