"
It so happened some two or three years after Sam's mind had begun to
follow the paths of warfare that his father and mother took him one day
to an anniversary celebration of the Methodist Church at Homeville, and
a special parade of the newly organized "John Wesley Boys' Brigade" of
the church was one of the features of the occasion. If Mrs. Jinks had
anticipated this, she would doubtless have left Sam at home, for she
knew that he was already quite sufficiently inclined toward things
military; but even she could not help enjoying the boy's unmeasured
delight at this, his first experience of militarism in the flesh. The
parade was indeed a pretty sight. There were perhaps fifty boys in
line, ranging from six to eighteen years of age. Their gray uniforms
were quite new and the gilt letters "J.W.B.B." on their caps shone
brightly. They marched along with their miniature muskets and fixed
bayonets, their chubby, kissable faces all a-smile, as they sang
"Onward, Christian Soldiers," with words adapted by their pastor:
"Onward, Christian soldiers,
'Gainst the heathen crew!
In the name of Jesus
Let us run them through."
By a curious coincidence their captain had a white feather in his cap,
suggesting at a considerable distance the plume of the leaden "hero."
Sam was overcome with joy. He pulled the "hero" from his pocket (he
always carried it about with him) and compared the two warriors.
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