Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-10-26
SHORT STORY
OF THE DAY.
THE DRUMMER AND THE
DRUMMER.
Charles Il. Day. in Home MagaIins.
l.-WAR,


Charles Il. Day. in Home Magazine.
WAR
Why. you're a Yankee aren't you?"
That was what GLADYS CLAYTON. a little
Southern girl, said one morning 10 a small
boy dressed in blue who upon her ap-
preach, had half risen to a sitting pos
ture beside q path which led both to a
spring and a negro cabin, within hailine
distance of the spot where the reclining
uniformed figure was gazing in open
eyed wonder on the vision of juvenile love-
illness.
Yes, I'm a Yank," replied the boy, in
sunctiveiy, saluting; you can tell that by
my blue" then he paused for a second
and said hesitatingiy, ''of course you
are-are-a-"
The boy in blue blushed and the little
maid, with twinkle in her eyes said
"A little rebel Do you surrender"
Hardly replied the boy, making an en-
deayor TO take his feet, but falling back
until he supported himself upon his elbow.
An expression of pain swept over his face
which startled the child as she exclaimed,
In sympathetic tones:
'Oh, dear, what pity You are wound
ance, she added: you needn't be AFRAID
Yankee boy: won't hurt you, and all the
gray soldiers are gone away
Where am II" asked the drummer boy.
You are on the Clayton plantation,
Yankee boy; my mother says that it is
place that was made"
There's been a big fight" said the boy;
which licked2"
Mother says" answered the girl, that
she reckons that they both got all they
wanted, and then withdrew in good order. -
Where IS your father"
Licking Yankees, was the reply with a
great deal of energy thrown into the
words.
"oh. no. exclaimed the boy. and then.
in spite of himself, he permitted a groan
TO escape his liDS.
"oh, dear!' said the girl, coming close
up to him, are you hurt much, little
Yankee boy?"
For the moment the boy in blue had for
gotten himself. as he asked in anxiety:
please, little girl. have you seen my
drum?''
The girl looked up and down the path
and either side, and at length she discover
ed the wreck of the martial instrument.
Here 1t is, little boy" said the girl, with
much dignity.
Thanks. miss" said the soldier boy;
''the rebs have shot It full of holes, and it's
no good; throw 1t away"
The girl threw the shattered drum into
the bushes.
What can I do for your" asked the girl.
somewhat perplexed at the situation.
IN tell you" replied the boy, land 1
want you to do It right quick. l want you
to get me out of this right smart, for
a scouting party OF rebs might come riding
this way and capture me-or-worse--"
Yankee boy, my mamma would have a
fit If she saw YOU in that blue suit. She
Then she clapped her hands and ex-
claimed:
81 know what I'll do I'll go to old 81,
down at the cabin. He and auntie are the
only ones of all the slaves who have not
run away TO follow the Yankees 81 will
do anything for me. Be as patient as you
can while L am gone. for 1t won't be long
Ii was not long that the lad had to wait,
but when the girl returned with the two
coloreG people he was quite faint, and
gasped:
Bring the gourd from the spring. COM
manded auntie. who had arrived in ad-
vance OF her rheumatic husband
The labors of years and perfect health
had given the black woman immense
strength and the drummer boy was little
more of a burden to her than an infant.
Gladys ran on ahead to the cabin. Auntie
STROBE on. taking such immense steps that
sher husband, in vain endeayor to keep
up, was taken with a fit Of coughing, and
was obliged to take a long rest by the way
side. When he did arrive at the cabin
the boy in blue was snugly hid away in its
privacy, and receiving the kind offices of
The colored woman who had had many
gears of experience in nursing.
Now that the wounded drummer boy was
made as comfortable as possible auntie
closed the cabin door and said, as impress
sively If she was reciting one OF her
best ghost stories:
man; you both done keep your mouth shut
bout this ere young 'un. You both all
know that the missy at the big house st, Is
drefful good woman. But for all that we
mustn't let her know of this little chap
a-hidin' here any more than's if twas Abe
Linkum hisself."
u.-PEACE.
Lines" said the head of the house TO n
favorite commercial traveller who had just
returned from an extended tour. do you
know anything OF the South"
How far South have you been?"
Richmond.
''Ah!' exclaimed tie head OF the house;
'long getting there?'
Pretty near three years.
First time that ] ever heard that you
turned Tels his sHe employer: never heard about
your adventures in that line, a.,
Well" interrupted the salesman. you
war who is not writing for the magazines
I'm many battles?' asked the managing
partner.
''Wounded?"
''Twice--once in. the leg and the other
Recovered from the effects of both
recovered from the shot in the leg: the
wound In the heart Is still OPEN
''Um,' was the finale of this running con-
The salesman nodded. and then the con-
verse became strictly business" The de-
sire OF the firm was concisely this. to re-
new q Southern trade previously held by
the house, which had been interrupted by
regained because the house had never
made an effort to resume business rela-
lions with that section.
Walter said the senior partner, be-
coming familiar. I'VE must win all that
trade back again. l not only want the
city houses. but those remote plantation
stores at the crossroads. which carry such
big stocks of our very lines. And as for
the salary and commission. the house will
guarantee that your trial trip in the new
section shall be no less to YOU
When the day for the salesmans depart
ure for Virginia came the head of tbs
house at parting said:
Well. you are advancing on Richmond
this time under somewhat different cir
cumstances.
Not so very different" interrupted the
salesman. with a quiet chuckle. Il was
a drummer then. and I'm a drummer
now
Just at dusk one night he drove up &c
the store on the Clayton plantation. and
walking into the establishment, announced
himself and his business by presenting
his card. as be said:
II want supper. feed and keep for my
horse. lodging for myself. and will tall
business later"
young man behind the counter replied
''That'll be all right, Mr.. Lines. The