On another day, Tad was not allowed to go to the review, as he had not
been well the day before. The review took place across the Long Bridge,
and after the President's carriage had passed down the line, a rickety
cart came clattering by, drawn by a shambling old horse, and driven by
a grinning negro boy. In it were Tad, Willie, Budd and Hally in new
Zouave uniforms, their swords at a salute! Many a soldier sighed and
smiled as that cart passed by, but there was never a smile on the faces
of the Zouaves, who had paid the darkey a quarter from their precious
circus money to drive that load of glory!
Having the uniform ready they formed themselves into a military company
called "Mrs. Lincoln's Zouaves." Much amused by their military
enthusiasm she presented them with a flag, and the President formally
reviewed them. Willie was colonel, Budd, major, and Hally, captain,
while Tad insisted on having the rank of drum-major or nothing, and all
of them had old-fashioned swords which were given to them by General
McClellan, who greatly enjoyed their pranks and sometimes suggested new
ones. When other amusements failed, the quartet spent their time on the
flat roof of the White House, which was perfectly safe, being
surrounded by a strong balustrade. There they built a cabin, and the
roof was in turn a quarter-deck, or a fort, and they used to raise and
lower the flag with proper ceremony, and look off through a spy-glass
for a "strange sail," and Budd's sister tells how one day when she
ascended to the stronghold with a stern demand for her scissors, which
had been missing for several days she was received at the "side" with
such strict naval etiquette that she meekly retreated without the
scissors.
That first year when President Lincoln was in office was a happy one
for his boys and their companions, but all too soon the pleasures came
to an end, for Willie Lincoln was stricken with typhoid fever, of which
he died. Then the Tafts left Washington and moved to the north, so of
the merry group of boys, "Tad" alone remained to enliven the White
House, and to amuse himself as best he could in the long days which
seemed so quiet in comparison to those which he and his companions had
spent together.
But Tad, who was now ten years old, was equal to any emergency, and as
resourceful as a dozen ordinary boys, and after the first bitter
loneliness had worn off, he made as much commotion by himself as all
four boys had made together, and soon became an object of popular
attention, as he galloped madly around the grounds on his pony, driving
him at break-neck speed, or training his team of dogs on the lawn, or
urging his goats to do some impossible feat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account