-first Regiment, at Thirty-fourth Street and Park Avenue. The
ages are limited, no boy under seven being allowed to enter. The uniform
is gray, with black trimming, and all the military rules as to the
number of straps, epaulettes, and accoutrements are rigidly adhered to.
The boys learn to march well, although it is a comical sight to see some
of the very small boys carrying their muskets and making superhuman
efforts to keep time. Perhaps the pathetic note in the picture adds the
finishing touch in the little drummer-boy, who, clad in the same
uniform, drums with might and main. He is paid to drum, but there is a
look of pride and delight in his profession which quite prevents any
thought of pity at the contrast in his lot to those of the boys of his
own age who go into the drill merely for the sake of occupation and
amusement.

The boys love Tuesday and Friday afternoons, and although the stimulus
of the medal given to the one who does not miss a single drill has
something to do with the wonderful attendance, still it would be
difficult to keep the boys away even without having the prize to look
forward to. To answer to the name in roll-call is counted necessary,
and many a boy who has been far too sick to go to school or study finds
it quite possible to be on hand to answer to his name, even if, after a
few marches around the armory, his legs do get tired and he has to be
excused.

Promotion is eagerly looked forward to, and there is an immense amount
of pleasant rivalry over who shall be promoted to be Sergeant, Corporal,
and the other officers. The Color-Sergeant carries the colors around
with a most heroic disregard to fatigue, while the four boys who make up
his body-guard look at him most admiringly, and not in the least
enviously. Round and round the hall they go, while the notes of the drum
rattle out the time to keep. The officers give their commands, and the
companies go from right to left as they are bidden. The officers look
very stern, and the soldiers themselves seem thoroughly impressed at the
importance of their duty, although the boy nature will crop out at
times, and there are occasionally ebullitions of sheer good nature and
animal spirit which would hardly do in the regular army. Of course each
boy intends fully to be a soldier, and if a war should break out it is
to be feared that a number of young recruits would insist upon being of
service to their country.

The awkward squad is as amusing a