Teddy's Button by Amy Le Feuvre
Teddy loves to tell the story of how his father heroically died on the battlefield and guards his button jealously. But this brings contention and strife when a new girl comes to town. Teddy begins to learn what it means to be a soldier under Christ, his Captain. Here is a story that will open a child's understanding of the spiritual battle within as Teddy learns that he is his own worst enemy. As a stubborn boy and girl refuse to back down from their selfish pride, one of the many lessons they learn is that they cannot win battles by force and hate, but by carrying the banner of love. Through this charming story, Amy Lefeuvre helps children to understand the spiritual battle that rages in their soul, and that parents and children are on the same side.
Teddy loves to tell the story of how his father heroically died on the battlefield and guards his button jealously. But this brings contention and strife when a new girl comes to town. Teddy begins to learn what it means to be a soldier under Christ, his Captain. Here is a story that will open a child's understanding of the spiritual battle within as Teddy learns that he is his own worst enemy. As a stubborn boy and girl refuse to back down from their selfish pride, one of the many lessons they learn is that they cannot win battles by force and hate, but by carrying the banner of love. Through this charming story, Amy Lefeuvre helps children to understand the spiritual battle that rages in their soul, and that parents and children are on the same side.
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Teddy listened eagerly. 'No wonder no one couldn't find it!' he<br />
said, fingering his adornment proudly. 'It's like the fish that brought<br />
Peter some money once.'<br />
Then the colonel turned to one of his friends.<br />
'Now, major, what do you think of this youngster? Would you like<br />
to take him as a drummer boy into your regiment?'<br />
The major scanned the boy from head to foot, then answered<br />
emphatically,<br />
‘I wouldn't take a boy with a face like that for a good deal!'<br />
'Why not?' asked Mrs. Graham.<br />
'Because it's the ruination of them. I shall never forget a pretty boy<br />
we had once; he was called the "cherub," and had been a chorister—sang<br />
divinely. He was only four years in the regiment, and his case was<br />
brought to me before he was discharged. He came to us an angel, and<br />
departed a finished young blackguard. He drank, stole, and lied to any<br />
extent, and was as well versed in vicious sins as any old toper in the<br />
regiment. When I see a fresh drummer brought in, I wonder how long<br />
he will keep his innocence, and sometimes wish his friends could see<br />
the life he is subjected to. I give them a month generally, and then away<br />
flies their bloom and all their home training.'<br />
'But, Major Tracy, you are giving us a shocking idea of the morals<br />
in the Service,' said one lady.<br />
He shrugged his shoulders. 'I grant you, on the whole, they are<br />
better than they were, but the Service is no place for highly strung boys<br />
like this one. The rougher, harder natures get on best. When they get<br />
older, and have sense and strength enough to stick to their principles,<br />
then let them enlist.'<br />
'But I have always heard,' said Mrs. Graham, 'that the drummer<br />
boys are well looked after now. They have a room to themselves, and the<br />
chaplains have classes for them.'<br />
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