The Tupelo journal., 1908-05-29

valley, could soothe with their gran
deur the chatting restlessness in his
soul. They brought to him no hope
for how could there possibly be hope?
Rama was sure that for many, many
years he must help his mother and
take care Of his little sister. He loved
Ills mother and sister with all his
heart, but then the longing to be a
soldier was growing day by day. If
he could only have had time to play
soldier with the other brown-skin-
ned lads of the village perhaps he
would not have felt this discomfort:
but his many duties about the house
and h numerous chores he was COM
PEELED to do in order to gain a mere
pittance robbed him of all leisure.
And then Putai came. Rama and his
mother discovered him n morning
lying outside their hut, i'll and fam
ished. He had been wounded In the
army, was discharged from service,
and had been wandering from place
to place. Poor as the little family
was, none was more charitable. He
was Hospitality given shelter in the
rude little cottage, and Rama's moth
er nursed him back to health.
Although Rama's duties were now
greatly increased, he minded them not
at all. For the old soldier, who was
now we'll enough to be out of bed,
spun many a tale of the camp and
march. Rama hung upon every word
that came from the battered war
rior's lips as he told of exciting Skin
mishes and long, hard campaigns. All
of these descriptions the boy treas
ured, and he longed for the time
when the soldier would be recovered
sufficiently to leave the house. Then
he meant to ask him about the use of
all warlike weapons, and to plead for
instruction in their handling.
Long after Putai became we'll he lin
sered about the village, assuming
many of the tasks Rama was wont to
do and intent upon showing his graft
tude to Rama's mother by providing
her with a better living. And he was
Rama's companion as we'll. He OBJ
tanned all the weapons employed by
the Goorkhas and, to the boys keen
delight, taught him the manual Of
arms. The boy was an apt pupil and
rapidly became proficient.
Now the lads of the village, as has
been suggested. were enthusiastic in
their solder games. They were organ
lied into a little company, each men,
Der with his established rank. Uni
forms they had, with the round cap
worn by British rifemen, and some
times wen small arms. About cnce a
fortnight there was held a meeting,
when. after close competition, election
Of officers was held.
Rama was present at the next elec-
ton. Putai suggested that the lad ask
to be enrolled in the company.
What do you known" asked LAM
put, the captain.
Thereupon Rama proceeded to show
what the old soldier had taught him.
Wonder grew apace as he rapidly
went through the manual of arms
without a single mistake. Then he
told what he knew of military tactics.
Finally, he placed a row of sticks in
the ground, about eight inches apart.
and with their heads just four feet
high. Running back a distance, he
picked up from behind a tree a round,
quoit-like weapon sometimes used by
the Goorkha soldiers, and which Pu-
tai had presented to him. The quot
is very sharp on it's edge. Deity whirl-
ing it, Rama cast it at one of the
stakes. The head of the stick was
cut off as nicely as you please. And, in
succession; Rama cut off the head of
each stake.
Amazed at his dexterity and knowl.
edge, the lads crowded about Rama.
patted him upon the back, and en-
Enthusiastically showered compliments
upon him.
Next time a body of troops passed
through the village the little company
of Goorkha lads marched in front. as
was their usual custom. But at their
head was a new captain, a keen-eyed
lad with a proud, dignifed bearing
every inch a soldier, you would have
said. 1t was Rama!