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Show The Champion Boy Soldier. Master Clifford Grapes is really a remarkable remark-able little fellow. Ue is not yet S years old, has a pretty face, a fair complexion, light hair and blue eyes, lie is the champiou boy soldier of America, and handles the gun and sword with ns much dexterity and skill as would the oldest war veteran. Clillord's home is in the state where were born such heroic soldiers as Generals Grant and Gartield Ohio. He has a full 'company of uniformed boys in Hamilton, where his parents reside. Only a year ajro he won liXH) at a Grsnd army fair, held in Nashville, Nash-ville, Tenn., for superior excellence in drilling. drill-ing. His competitors In this contest were all men. As the competition progressed Clifford was applauded loudly. Several of the men were so surprised at the little fellow's fel-low's ability that they became what the boys call "rattled," and gave up in desoair before the trial was half completed. Clifford not only received the prize, says the New York Recorder, but was soon after presented with a gold medal by the proprietor of the daily newspaper. This is "not the only medal that now adorns tne proud mue iettow s coat, ior he had quite a dozen before he received this one. Conspicuous among them are three given him by the great soldiers, Generals Sherman, Sheridan and Hancock. Clifford spent nearly all of last winter in New York giving exhibitions. He was an especial favorite with the junior department boys at the Young Men's Christian association. associa-tion. He was often about their rooms and gymnasium mingling with Ihem in their sports. A special outing was arranged for ou his behalf by the secretary of the department, depart-ment, and one Saturday atternoon he, in company with a score or more other boys, made an excursion to Governor's Island, where he was received by General O. O. Howard, who treated him as though he were some titled nobleman. Among other courtesies shown, he ordered the then closed museum to be opened, and the whoie party to visit it with a guide. He also entertained the boys on the nautical training school ship, St. Mary's. Clifford has several uniforms which he wears in his exhibition as an oflicer, cavalryman cavalry-man and private. |