The Delta independent., 1899-12-29
TIE DRUMMER
and
THE DRUMMER
4 Story OF War and Peace.
By Cherries n. GhY
By CHERRIES n. lhY

"iNhy. you're a Yankee. aren't your
That was what Gladys Clayton. u lit
tie southern girl. said one morning TO
small boy dressed In blue who upon
her approach had half risen to u sitting
posture beside Il patch which led both
to a spring and a negro cabin. within
la!!ing distance Of the spot where the
reclining uniformed figure WAS gazing
in open e-ed wonder on the vision OF
Juvenile loneliness.
Yes. I'm n Yank." replied the boy.
instinctively saluting. You can tell
that by my blue" Then he fused for
a second and said hesitatinsiy. -Of
course you are-are a. -a|
Tie boy in blue blushed. and the lit
tie maid. with a twinkle in her eyes,
said:
"A little rebel. Do you surreader?'
Hardly" replied the boy. making nm
endeayor to take his feet. but falling
lack 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:
wounded. and only boy"' Then. as q
reassurarce. she added: You needn't
be afraid. Yankee boy. ] won't hurt
you. and all the gray soldiers are gone
away"
where am I?' asked the drummer
boy.
You are on the Clayton plantation.
Yankee boy. My mother says that II II
90 miles from nowhere and the last
place that was made"
There's been big fight" said the
boy. (which iickedT'
Mother says that abe rcckons they
both got all they wanted and then
withdrew in good ORDER" answered
the girl.
where IL your fatheT?"
Licking Ianl.ecs.' was the reply.
with great deal o: energy thrown
into the words.
"Ch. ho." exclaimed the boy. and
then. In spite Of himself. he permitted
groan to escape his lips.
"Oh. dearr' said the Girl. coming
close up to him. Are you hurt much.
little Yankee boyT'
For the moment the boy In blue had
forgotten himself as he asked In anx-
iety:
Please. little girl. have you seen my
drum =.
The g.rl looked up and down the
path on either side. and at length she
discovered the wreck OF the martial
instrument.
Here 1t Is. little boy" safd the girl.
with much dignity.
"Thlnls. miss" said the soldier boy.
''rhc rebs have shot II fun Of holes.
ani It's no good. Throw IL away"
The girl threw the shattered drum
into the bushes.
what can do for your asked the
girl. sonev hat perplexcd at the situa-
ton.
"ilI tell you replied the boy. And
I want you to do II right quick. ] want
you To ce: me out OF this right smart.
for scouting party OF rebs might
come riding this way and capture me
or worse
Yankee Roy. my mamma would
have 81 n she saw you In that blue
s;.i, She iatcs you all. Let me see
let inc see.''
Then she ciappcd her hands and ex-
claimed:
- know what I'll do. I'll go to old
ri. down af the cabin. lie and au,Itic
are the only ones Of all the slaves who
have not run away to follow the Van
l;ees. ~ wifi do anything for me. Ee
MS patient IA you can while ! ani gone.
for 1t won't lie long"
1t was not long that the lad had to
81. 4.
with the TWO colored people he was
quite faint. and gaspc,l:
WATER
"I,ring the gpurd from the spring.
commanded nantie. who had arrived in
advance of her rheumatic husband.
The labors Of years ard perfect
health had given the black wonian Inn
mensr strength. aud the drummer boy
was little more of q burden to her than
an infant
GLADYS ran on ahead TO the cabin.
Auntie strod~ on. taking such immense
steps that her husband. in vain en-
dea vor to ke. . gp. was taken with n dt
of coughing snf WAS ohiiyeri 10 iase q
hong rest hy the waysitlr. When he
I'D arrivr ~ the ca,,ir. the hoy In biuc
was Snugiy hidden away In it~ privacy
and rrcrivinx tie Kind os.it-s of the
ccIored woman. who had had many
years 81 - prrirnr- IN nursing
Now that the worud.-,i sirrnrn-r hoy
Was uad~ a. c-mfoTtn,,s~ a. po<~ilsse.
sunsi~ ci,-s-d th- cabin door and said
o. vsnprv-~is~sy as N she were r<c.,Iag
ossr of her b.--s ghost ssostes:
-Noa hear ~. Miss Gladys. aa you.
~ mani Ton bpsh dsop kevp yes
OSstb shse 'bsss shis 'ese yesas -
Tee hsth IN kssw that the msnuy q
she ~ evs~e - Jr>s pisrs % the Tss-
oRua. ~ ~ sAe's Q dr~10 ous1 weu-