The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-03-02
JSVSpS
HOW THE CAP'N SAVED !
THE DAY.
BY Walter Williams.

of the ward was taller and scarcely more
slender than he. His head, even when
he wore his high-heeled shoes, did not
reach up to the great iron knocker that
hung on the front door. The calendar
said the Cap'n was five years old, but
nobody believed the calendar, least of
all those who saw the small figure for
the first time.
Every body called him the Cap'n, be-
cause he held himself up so straight
and walked with such military pre-
cision He wore bit of flag on his tiny
coat one day as he went down to the
negro cabin where his old nanny
stayed. "Lawd Dress us, said she,
broad grin on her face, "heah comes de
Cap'n!" The name stuck to him. He
carried himself like a king, and even
his "nightie." as he walked away into
the dark to bed. always chung to his
slight little body like the robes of
prince of royal blood.
The Cap'n was afraid of nothing. He
laughed. brave little laugh. into the
eyes of a strange and angry dog. He
PLAYED in the roadway under the horses
heels. He climbed on the horses backs.
the widest of them. and bestrode them
Just like a miniature Centaur. He
cIfnched his fist and struck at visitor
who leased him with the pood-natureG
brutality with which some grown-up
people treat children.
When the soldiers came to town the
Cap.n sat nm the oa-e most and waved
his lit11e fac He looked = mart of tba
most so .tiiI he cat save for the arm
that waved the fac 60 solemn he was
md white like q carvar iD,aga his fare
The men tool, off their hats 10 him and
+brey l,isses ae thev nassad They
canned on tbe common NOT far away.
and tbe Can'n. in charge of his old black
NANNY whom he ordered around A.,
though she were a dog and who obeved
him as WILLINGLY. went to see them every
dav.
II was not long before the soldiers
became his devoted slaves. Perhaps
they thought of the dear ones at home.
and of a little figure that had waved
good-bv as they marched off. From the
grave and reverend colonel down to the
scrap Of a drummer boy the whole regi-
nent was literally at the Cap'n's feet.
1t was company b that first adopted
him. One morning. on dress parade.
Lieut.. Martin stated that he had new
recruit a commissioned officer. whom
he would introduce TO the men. He
went into the officers tent and led out
the Cap'n. dressed in full uniform.
sword and belt and all. The soldiers
set M cheer that shook the very trees.
And the Cap'n walked slowly down in
front of the long line and took off his
little hat and bowed a sober bow. and
said. as though he had been 50 years
old and a real general: MY men, I'm
glad to belong to comp'ny B. | thank
you for your kind reception"
Then the soldiers almost split their
throats with shouting. until the colonel
of the regiment came riding over to see
what the matter was. Company was
the most stuck-up company in the en-
tire regiment from that day forward.
Did not the Cap'n belong to it. and
was not he a mascot9 Men of the other
companies tried to beg or borrow the
Cap'n. but company B ONLY laughed a.
them. They sought to bride the Cap'r.
hut he Indignantly refused to leave his
first love Only once was he tempted
and that was when company offered
him a little pony. with saddle ard
bride. if he would ride with them on
dress parade. But he did not go any
further than the officers tent, and then
said, in his childish drawl: Excuse
me, but | must go back to comp'ny b."
The men of company p heard of il.
and they ransacked the country for 4
pony for the Cap'n. Finally they found
one. about the size of a large ST. Ber-
nard dog, and equally as gentle. They
fitted the pony out with bride and sad
die, and made the presentation IN
proper form to the Cap'n.
Each morning thereafter the Cap'n
rode his pony out in front of he men
and gravely inspected them. He woulG1
blow a little bugle and wave his sword.
He sat firm and dignifed, and touched
his hat in military salute. like trained
veteran of half hundred years. Not