STAND BY THE SHIP

“Do, grandmother, tell us about the little drummer boy whose motto was, ‘Stand by the ship.’”

“Grandmother is not used to telling children stories; but, if you will be quiet, she will try.”  And this is the story she told us:—­

During one of the fiercest battles of the civil war, the colonel of a Michigan regiment noticed a very small boy, acting as drummer.

The great coolness and self-possession of the boy, as displayed during the engagement; his habitual reserve, so singular in one of his years; his orderly conduct, and his fond devotion to his drum (his only companion, except a few well-worn books),—­all these things unusual in one so young had attracted notice, both from the officers and the men.  Colonel B.’s curiosity was aroused, and he desired to know more of him.  So he ordered that the boy should be sent to his tent.

The little fellow came, his drum on his breast, and the sticks in his hands.  He paused before the colonel and made his best military salute.  He was a noble looking boy, the sunburnt tint of his face in good keeping with his dark, crisp curls.

[Illustration:  The Drummer Boy in Battle]

But strangely out of keeping with the rounded cheeks and dimpled chin, was the look of gravity and thoughtfulness, in the serious, childish eyes.  He was a boy, who seemed to have been prematurely taught the self-reliance of a man.  A strange thrill went through Colonel B.’s heart as the boy stood before him.

“Come forward, I wish to talk to you.”  The boy stepped forward, showing no surprise under the novel position in which he found himself.  “I was very much pleased with your conduct yesterday,” said the colonel, “from the fact that you are so young and small for your position.”

“Thank you, colonel; I only did my duty; I am big enough for that, if I am small,” replied the noble little fellow.

“Were you not very much frightened when the battle began?” questioned Colonel B.

“I might have been, if I had let myself think of it; but I kept my mind on my drum.  I went in to play for the men; it was that I volunteered for.  So I said to myself:  ’Don’t trouble yourself about what doesn’t concern you, Jack, but do your duty, and stand by the ship.’”

“Why, that is sailors’ talk,” said the colonel.

“It is a very good saying, if it is, sir,” said Jack.

“I see you understand the meaning of it.  Let that rule guide you through life, and you will gain the respect of all good men.”

“Father Jack told me that, when he taught me to say, ’Stand by the ship.’”

“He was your father?”

“No, sir,—­I never had a father,—­but he brought me up.”

“Strange,” said the colonel, musing, “how much I feel like befriending this child.  Tell me your story, Jack.”

“I will tell it, sir, as near as I can, as Father Jack told it to me.