Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-01-11
Captain 4

He turned. IL was the little drum
mer. He was stretched upon a wooden
cot, covered up 60 tho neck with q
coarse old red and white check window
curtain. his arms lying outside. pale
and thin. but with his eyes burning
like two Goals of fire.
What is il tbou?" asked the cap
tain in surprised, abrupt manner.
Bravo, Thou has fulfilled thy duty -
81 did all that was possible. :" replied
the drummer.
Art thou wounded?'' asked the cap
tain, glancing around at the beds in
search of his lieutenant.
what could you oxpect?' replied
the boy, who was eager To speak of the
honor of being wounded for the first
time; otherwise he would not have
dared to open his lips before his captain.
Il ran as long as L could with my
head down, but. though l crouched, the
AuStrians saw me Immediately.
would have arrived 30 minutes earlier
had they not wounded me. Fortunately
L met captain of the generals staff, 10
whom l gave the note, but it was with
great effort l got along after that
wound. | was dying with thirst l was
afraid could not arrive in time. cried
with rage, thinking that every minutes
delay sent one of ours 60 the other
world, but at last did all could. |
am content. But look captain. and ex-
cuse me-yOu are bleediugI'
In fact from the palm of the badly
bandaged hand the blood was flowing.
do you wish mo To tighten the
bandage, captain? Let me have il for a
moment
The captain gave him his left hand
and stretched ont his right hand TO help
tie the knot, but scarcely had the little
fellow risen from the pillow when he
turned pale and had TO lie back again.
Enough, enough :" said the captain.
looking ut him and withdrawing his
bandaged hand. which the drummer
wished TO retain. Take care of your
self instead Of thinking of others, for
slight wounds if neglected may have
grave consequences.
The little drummer shook his head.
But thou, said the captain, look
ing attentively ut him. "thOu must
have lost much blood 10 be so weak. ."
Lost much blood:" repeated the
boy. smiling. Something more than
blood. Look - and ne threw down the
coverlet. The captain recoiled In horror.
The boy had but one leg--thc left leg
had been amputated above the knee.
The stump was wrapped i'm bloody
cloths.
Just then a small, fat army physician
in shirt sleeves passed.
All. captain" said be RAPIDLY.
pointing ont the little drummer.
There l. an unfortunate cass. 1uat
leg could have been onsily saved hal ne
not forced II 80 much: cau>cu iuli.r-
nation. II was necessary L. aniintate
il. But he Is brave, assure you. lie
she'd not a tear nor uttered % plant.
was proud while operating o. think he
was an Italian boy my wurd of honor.
Faith, he comes OF good stCCkt'
And he went on his way.
The captain wrinkled his bushy white
eyebrows and looked fiXcdly at the lit
tie drummer. while covering him up
with tine coverlet. Then slowly. almost
unconsciously, yet still looking at him,
his hand went 10 his kept, which be
took Off
"CaptainV exclaimed the astonished
boy. what, captain, for me:'
Then that rough soldier, who had
never spoken a gentle word TO an in
ferior, replied in soft and exceedingly
affectionate voice:
Il am but captain. Thou art a
hero
Then he threw his arms about the
little drummer and kissed him with all
his heart.-From the Italian For Short
Stories.