The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-12-30
ST. MARKS PONCHO AND BELL
why Broken Hammer Is Carefully
CherisheN.


In the library of one of the bravest
cavalry officers who fought in the civil
war is a handsome leather case lined
with red velvet and fitted with pref
ty lock and key.
This case does not contain money MOI
jewels, There is nothing in it but a
common claw-hammer, with half its
handle gone,
Now for the history Of that broken
hammer.
In 1864 the officer who now has it in
his possession commanded a regiment
of cavalry in the Union army. One
night this regiment quietly broke
camp and rode along the frequented
road toward the town of b, which
was then occupied by a troop of con
federate Dragons
At daybreak the town was surprised
and captured by the Union soldiers,
with nearly all it's garrison. The COM
mander of the attacking force, Colonel
b, made the hotel of the place his
headquarters, and from there issued his
orders and made preparations for fur
Their movements.
While he was standing in the parlor
of the hotel, covered with dust, and
surrounded by a few of his officers, a
little negro, about twelve years old,
pushed his way into the midst of the
group and stopped directly in front of
the colonel His face was the picture of
establishment, and his eyes seemed
ready to roll out of his head.
The colonel looked at him greatly
amused. Still the little fellow stood
Finally he asked in an awe-struck
voice:
Am you Massa Linl6um?"
A long roar of laughter greeted him,
but instead of being abashed at the rid
icule, the little fellow stoutly resented
it.
"Wot youse laffin' it?" he cried.
"Ain't Massa Linkum as good as you
be?"
A fresh peal of merriment followed
this, and in spite of his courage the
young questioner began to look con-
fused. He was turning away when
the colonel, after a moments thought,
said:
do you like Massa Linkum?"
Guess 1 duz, massa, and Use bound
fer to see him fore l die
Before you die? Why, do you think
you are going to die pretty soon?"
Dunno; I might get killed"
whats your name?'
''Poncho, sah."
We'll, Poncho. do you think you'd
like to do something for Massa Lin
kum?"
do somethin' for Massa Linkum? I
guess SO, sah," and Poncho rolled his
eyes and showed his white teeth.
'FrTbay, pA11,a ap5 COO mo in tho ,oo,,,
over there" pointing to a room oppo-
site, "at eight o'clock tonight"
Eight o'clock, sah," responded Pom
cho, in puzzled tone; dunno what
dat is
well, then an hour after candle
light"
"All right, sab, in dat yere room?"
Yes; in that room" Here the officer
placed his hand on Ponchos shoulder.
saying. land, mind. you are doing this
for Massa Linkum. Don't tell anyone
you are coming here. Remember"
"All right, sah.'
The next moment he was out of the
hotel, into the streets, stating at the
Yankee troops. The town seemed full
of them, and everywhere was heard the
sound of trumpets and loud voices of
ren and the clatter of hoofs and the
rattle of arms.
The regiment remained in town all |
day, though scouting parties rode out |
'on several roads, coming in again be- |
fore nightfall.
AT 1880 long bugle call was sounded |
and all the soldiers mounted their |
horses, as if to start on another night
march.
1t was near the hour of Poncho's APP
polntment, and he was already waiting
at the door of the room in which he
was to see the colonel
Presently the officer opened it nd
led the boy into the room.
'Poncho," said he gravely, you said
you would do something for Massa Lin
liim Now, I'll tell you what you can
do
"All right, massa; I'll do it, sure"
81 want you to go up in the belfry of
st. Marks church. 1t will be bright
and if you see a company Of
soldiers ride down the turnpike and
come into the town any time during the
night, l want you to strike on the bell
there three times with this hammer"
The coloner took a hammer from the
and showed it to Poncho
''All right massa. Dis chile do any
thing fur Massa Linkum"
Strike slowly and strike as hard as
you can, and when you strike open
your mouth in this way and your ears
will not be hurt
The colonel opened his mouth very
wide, and so did Poncho. |
after you strike the first time 1
think you will hear bugIe call IF |
not, you will hear it after you strike
the second or third time. When you |
near the bugle call you need not strike
he bell again but you had better stop
n the belfry until one of the soldiers t
,alls you down. Now remember, do {
lot strike If you see few men, but
strike hard if you see great many {
Another thing. When you strike lie s
Town on your back. so as to hit the in
de of the bell. Perhaps you will be J
shot at Poncho, for the soldiers, if
hey come, will be secesh soldiers, but
hey can't hit you if you are lying on
your back. o
LAS soon as we hear the bell we will !!
de into town, and 1 will send a man
@ bring you down"
N'And' will / be dom sumthin for p