The Drummer Boy | Page 6

boy!"--with a tear of
pride, as he regarded his handsome, spirited young volunteer, and
thought that not many fathers had such promising sons.
While they were at the recruiting office, one of their neighbors came in.
"What!" he exclaimed, "you here? on business?"
"Patriotic business," replied Mr. Manly, showing his son with a fond
father's emotion. "He has volunteered, neighbor Winch."
"And you give your consent?"
"I do, most certainly, since he feels it his duty to go, and his mother is
willing."
Neighbor Winch stood speechless for a moment, the muscles of his
mouth working. "I have just heard," he said, in an agitated voice, "that
my son John has enlisted without my consent; and I have come here to
ascertain the fact. Do you know any thing about it, Frank?"

"I suppose I do," replied Frank, with some reluctance. "He enlisted
three days ago. He wanted me to go with him then; but I----"
"You what?" said neighbor Winch.
"I couldn't, without first getting permission from my father and
mother," explained Frank.
"O, if my John had only acted as noble a part!" said the neighbor. "It's a
bad beginning for a boy to run away. He has nearly broken his mother's
heart."
"Well, well, neighbor," observed Mr. Manly, consolingly, "reflect that
it's in a good cause. Jack might have done worse, you know."
"Yes, yes. He never was a steady boy, as you know. He has set out to
learn three different trades, and got sick of them all. I couldn't keep him
at school, neither. Of late nothing would do but he must be a soldier. If
I thought he'd stick to it, and do his duty, I wouldn't say a word. But
he'll get tired of carrying a gun, too, before he has seen hard service.
Where is he? Do you know, Frank?"
"He is in camp, in the Jackson Blues," mid Frank. "I am going as
drummer in the same company."
"I'm glad of that," replied Mr. Winch. "For, though he is so much older
than you, I think you always have had an influence over him, Frank--a
good influence, too." And the neighbor took the young volunteer's
hand.
Frank's eyes glistened--he felt so touched by this compliment, and so
proud that his father had heard it, and could go home and tell it to his
mother and sisters.
Neighbor Winch went on: "I want you to see John, as soon as you can,
Frank, and talk with him, and try to make him feel how wrongly he has
acted----"

Here the poor man's voice failed him; and Frank, sympathizing with his
sorrow, was filled with gratitude to think that he had never been
tempted to grieve his parents in the same way.
Mr. Manly accompanied his son to the railroad depot, and saw him
safely in the cars that were to convey him to camp, and then took leave
of him. The young volunteer would have forgotten his manhood, and
cried, if the eyes of strangers had not been upon him; even as it was, his
voice broke when he said his last good-by, and sent back his love to his
mother and sisters and little Willie.

III.
UNDER CANVAS.
The cars were soon off; and the heart of Frank swelled within him as he
felt himself now fairly embarked in his new adventure.
Soon enough the white tents of the camp rose in sight. The Stars and
Stripes floating under the blue sky, the soldiers in their blue uniforms,
the sentinels with their glittering bayoneted guns pacing up and down,
and above all, the sound of a drum, which he considered now to be a
part of his life, made him feel himself already a hero.
Several other recruits had come down in the train with him,
accompanied by an officer. Frank was a stranger to them all. But he
was not long without acquaintances, for he had scarcely alighted at the
depot when he saw coming towards him his neighbor and chum, Jack
Winch, in soldier clothes--a good-looking young fellow, a head taller
and some two years older than himself.
"Hello, Jack! how are you?"
"Tip-top!" said Jack, looking happy as a prince.
The officer who had brought down the recruits went with them to the
quartermaster's department, and gave orders for their outfit. When

Frank's turn came, his measure was taken, and an astonishing quantity
of army clothing issued to him. He had two pairs of drawers, two shirts,
two pairs of stockings, a blouse, a dress coat, an overcoat, a cap, a pair
of shoes, a pair of pantaloons, and a towel. Besides these he received a
knapsack, with two blankets; a haversack, with a tin plate, knife and
fork, and spoon; and a tin cup and canteen. He had also