The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-07-12
TEE DRUMS OF TIE
FORE AND AFT.
Ry RUDYARD KIPLING.

By RUDYARD KIPhlNG.
.You poor little sprats. And you want
30 90 up to the front with the regiment,
do yous Why"
GIVE wore the queens uniform for
two years, said Jakin. s'It's very
ard, sir, that man don't get no recon-
pense for doin is dooty, sir.
esAn-an if I don't go, sir, " inter
rupted Lew, .sthe bandmaster e says
,e'n catch an make bloo-a blessed
musician O. me, sir. Before I've seen
any service, sir "
The colonel made no answer for 8
long time. Then he said quietly: 'sIf
you're passed by the doctor, dare say
you cango. Ishouldn' t smoke if were
you.
Is The boys saluted and disappeared.
The colonel walked home and told the
story to his wife, who nearly cried over
it. The colonel was well pleased. IT
that was the temper of the children,
what would not the men do!
Jakin and Lew entered the boys bar
rack room with great stateliness and
refused to hold any conversation with
their comrades for at least ten minutes.
Then, bursting with pride, Jakin drawl-
ed: I'Ye bin intervooin the colonel.
Good old beggar is the colonel Says l
TO i'm, Colonel, says ], let me go to
the front along O. the regiment. 'To
The front you shall go, says e, IAN 1
only wish there was more like you
among the dirty little devils that bang
the bloomin drums Kidd, if You throw
Your 'couterments at me for tellin you
The truth to your own advantage your
Iegs'n swell
None the Jess, there was a battle
royal in the barrack room, for the boys
were consumed with envy and hate,
and neither Jakia nor Lew behaved IN
conciiiatory wise.
4.pm goin out to say adoo to my
girl said Lew to cap the climax.
ssDon,t none O ycu touch my kit, be-
cause it's wanted for active service, me
bein specially invited to go by the colo
mel y
BE strolled forth and whistled in the
c,ump of trees at the back Of the mar
ried quarters till Girls came to him,
and, the preliminary kisses being given
and taken, Lew began to explain the
situation.
.I'm goin to the front with the regi-
ment, !. he said valiantly-
N <sPiggy, you're a little liar, said
Girls, but her heart misgave her, for
Lew was not in the habit of lying.
..Liar yourself, Girls, said Lew,
slipping an arm round her. s9I'm goin.
When the regiment marches out, you'll
see me with 'em, all gallant an gay.
Give us another kiss, Girls, on the
3-L----.It- - - -
...If you'd on,y a-staid at the depot.
where you ought to ha' bin, you
could get as many of 'em as-as you
dam please whimpered Girls, putting
up her mouth.
ssIt's ard, Girls. I grant you it's ard
But whats man to do2 If I'd a-staid
at the depot, you wouldn't think any
thing O me. -
Like as not, but I'd ave you with
ne, Piggy. An all the thinkin in the
world isn't like kissin."
ss4An all the kissin in the world isn't
like 'ayin medal to wear on the front
o your coat.
ssYou won't get no medal
..Oh, yus, I shall, though. Me an
Jakin are the only acting drummers
that Il be took along. All the rest is full
men, an Wen get our medals with
them. =
..They might ha' taken anybody bat
you, Piggy. You'll get killed-you're
so venturesome. Stay with me, Piggy,
darlin, down at the depot. an I'll love
you true forever.
"Ain't you goin to do that now, Girls?
You said you was.
so course am, but the others more
comfortable. Wait till you've growed
bat, Piggy. You aren't no taller than
me now. :"
"I've bin IN the army for two years.
an I'm not goin to get out of chanst
o. seein service, an don't you try to
make me do So I'll come back, Girls, an
when take on as man I'll marry you
marry you when I'm lance.
3sPromise, Piggys"
Lew reflected on the future as arrang-
ed By Jakin short time previously,
but Girls mouth was very near to his
own.
81 promise, s'elp me Gawdl" said
he.
Girls slid anEarm round his neck.
"Iwon't 'old you back no more, Pig
gy. Go away an get your medal, an I'll
make you new button bag as nice as
] know how" she whispered.
.tPut some o your air into it, Girls,
an I'll keep it in my pocket SO longs
I'm alive"
Then Girls wept anew, and the inter
view ended. Public feeling among the
drummer boys rose to fever pitch, and
the lives Of Jakin and Lew became un
enviable. Not only had they been per-