Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1859-06-25
" II III q I q II S .
Old zack and the Lieutenant.

When the Virginia Regiment Of Volun.
teers arrived OF General I'aylor's camp, at
Walnut Springs, near Monterey, their arms
were rather the worse for their long march
from Camsrgo, being someThat rusty. a
certain lieutenant Of that c6rps. who prided
himself on belonging to one Of the +. +. vs.
first families Of Nirginia"-on the next
day after their arrival was strollng Though
the camp, trying to get a peep at the old
General when he espied a stout fellow in his
shirt sleeves, seated on the ground beneath q
shady bower, hard at work on o swordhilt-
The lieutenant, with pompors air walked TO
the old chap and addressed him as follows:
II say Old Eel, which is General Taylor's
tent ?"
Old Eel. hard at work rubbing the sword
hilt-"That one there"
i wonder if coul! see that great hero 2"
well, colonel you might. aud then again
yon might not"
Putting on an extra share OF dignity the
officer said Come, Old Trump. you must
show me how can get n sight at him
Whose sword is that which you are clean
ing p
What this cheeseknife! That's Old
Zsck's-Pm cleaning it for him"
"Then you work for the General. do you +?
Well my weapon is little rusty. and if you
will clean it up handsomely. will give you a
dollar"
well leave your toad sticker here, and
drop around this way TO. morrow. and I'll have
it ready for you IL you don't find me here.
you call over to the Generals tent and III be
there"
The lieutenant left his sword with the old
| chap, and after taking q turn or two about
the old Generals quarters, and nn occasional
peep through the doorway Of the hut, wen,
his way. The day following he went to the
bower where he had seen the man at work,
bat found no one. He then wen, over TO the
Generals tent, and the sentry, seeing that he
was an officer. passed him in. He found the
"Old Eel" walking up and down in the outer
tent, in which was a small table covered with
| newspapers, and coup,s Of camp stools -
| The "Old Trump" handed the officer his
| sword, oil clean cnd bright as when it FIRST
came from Ames's Factory on the banks o.
the Connecticut. Upon receiving it the lien
tenant kindly informed "Old Eel" of the
startling fact that he belonged to one Of the
families in Virginia" and then, playful,
punching the "Old Trump" in the ribs, sail
| TO him:
Come now, Old Patty. can't you show us
! the General 2"
| Al thls 'Otu fatty drew hlmselI up, aud
shouted in voice Of thunder. while his eyes
aashed fire. Boy am General Taylor -
| Overwhelmed with confusion, the young
scion OF the +. VS. could not say word
but with staring eyes and open mouth bow
ed himself out of the tent. lie then made o
bee line through the woods, Old 2ack shout
ing after him:
Il say, Young Eel, you have forgot the
dollar.
But the lieutenent did not stop until h'
reached The Virginia encsmpment, where b,
buried himself in his tent, 10 momentary ap
prehension of an order for his srrest NJ
such order came, however; but the story a
length got out, and many q sharp quiz wal
put upon the young gentleman by his brothe
officers, as to his employing Gen. Taylor tC
clean his sword.hilt. aud how many iGehrI
Old Fatty" had upon bis ribs.