Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-12-15
THE DRUMMER
AND
THE DRUMMER
A Story of War and Peace.
BY CHARLES n. DAY.
BY CHARLES n. DAY.

tie southern girl, said one morning to
small boy dressed in blue who upon
her approach had half risen to sitting
posture beside patch which led both
to spring and negro cabin, within
hailing distance Of the spot where the
reclining uniformed figure was gazing
in open eyed wonder on the vision of
juvenile loneliness.
Eyes, I'm Yank," replied the boy,
instinctively saluting. "You can tell
that by my blue" Then he paused for
a second and said hesitatingly, "Of
course you are-are a.
The boy in blue blushed, and the lit
tie maid, with twinkle in her eyes,
said.
"a little rebel Do you surrender
"Eardly," replied the boy, making an
endeavor 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:
ooh, dear, what a pity! You are
wounded, and only boyw Then, as
reinsurance, she added: "You needn't
be afraid, Yankee boy. l 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 1t is
20 miles from nowhere and the last
place that was made"
"There's been big fight" said the
boy. (Which licked?"
Mother says that she reckons they
both got all they wanted and then
withdrew in good order" answered
the girl
"Where is your father?"
Licking Yankees" was the reply,
with a great deal Of energy thrown
into the words.
"Oh, hov exclaimed the boy, and
then, in spite of himself, he permitted
groan to. escape his lips.
"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
forgotten himself as he asked in anx-
iety:
please, little girl, have you seen my
drumY'
The girl looked up and down the
path on either side, and at length she
discovered the wreck of the martial
instrument.
Here it 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 it away"
The girl threw the shattered drum
into the bushes.
"What can do for your asked the
girl, somewhat perplexed at the situa-
ton.
"I'll tell you," replied the boy. "And
l want you to do it right quick. want
you to get me out of this right smart
for 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 hates you all! Let me see
let me see!
Then she clapped her hands and ex-
claimed:
IL know what I'll do. I'll go to old
ST, down at the cabin. He and auntie
are the only ones of all the slaves who
have not run away to follow the Yam
KEGS. 81 will do anything for me. BE
as patient as you can while ! am gone.
for it won't be long"
1t was not long that the lad had to
wait, but when the people returned
with the two colored people he was
quite faint, and gasped:
"Water!
Bring the gourd from the spring.!
commanded auntie, who had arrived in
advance of her rheumatic husband.
The labors of years and perfect
health had given the black woman I'M
was little more of burden to her than
an infant.
Gladys ran on ahead to the cabin.
Auntie strobe on, taking such immense
steps that her husband, in vain en-
deavor to keep up, was taken with fit
of coughing and was obliged to take
long rest by the wayside. When he
did arrive at the cabin, the boy in blue
was snugly hidden away in its privacy
and receiving the kind offices of the
colored woman. who had had many
years Of experience in nursing.
Now that the wounded drummer boy
was made as comfortable as possible.
auntie closed the cabin door and said
rs impressively as if she were reciting
che of her best ghost stories:
you hear me. Miss Gladys, an you.
ole man? You both done keep yer
mouth shut bout this ere young un.
You both all know that the missy at
the big house is jest pizen on the Yam
KEGS, for all she's 81 drefful good wom-