Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-01
HOW JACK PHILLIPS RECOVERED
THE MULE FROM THE SECESH.
By CAPTAIN JERE WILLIAMS

ed in book form. Trey would make q very
readable work. / may send you q string of
such as are sfoat in our region, at some future
time; at present, will relate one which came
to my knowledge few days since.
Squire Bailey had the biggest, and best, and
most docile mule in Martins Bottom, and Mar
Inns Bottom is about the biggest and best
neighborhood on Greenbrier River. Squire
Bailey was inclined to be Union man, and
did not entirely conceal his sentiments, not
withstanding the presence Of Floyd's army in
the vicinity. About the time Of Floyd's " tu-
multuous fight from that region, he was very
much In need Of transportation, and, accord
ing to established usages among secesh, he
proceeded to levy on the teams Of the neigh
boring farmers. or course, Union man, like
Squire Bailey, was not to escape; but Squire
Bailey, taking time by the forelock, very
quietly, one night, removed to q safe locality
all his live stock except his faverite mule,
which be kept for hauling wood and going to
mill. This mule being apparently the only
support of large and increasing family, Squire
Bailey fOndly believed the secesh would not be
heartless enough to rob him Of it.
But Squire Bailey did not understand Sc
cesh. One fine morning along came Quarter
master Blifie, accompanied by half dozen
armed men, from Floyd's army. Squire Bailey
was standing at his gate when Quartermaster
Blife approached, and commenced . converse
tion with him.
"Good morning, Mr.-a-Mr.-"
Bailey" suggested the Squire.
"Yes, Bailey; good morning, Mr.. Bailey"
"Mornin', )" said the Squire.
al understand, Mr.. Bailey that you have
number of horses and mules which you wish to
dispose Of to our glorious Confedsrscy."
" mistake, sir, said Bailey; 81 have none
10 sell to anybody"
"But, Mr.. Bailey, some gentlemen informed
me yesterday that you had quite number of
horses and mules"
r IL. r
some gentlemen Mr.. Quartermaster, you can
see for yourself that 1 have nothin' but that
mule, in the dog pen there, and that / can't
possibly keep house without"
All I see the mule" said Billie, looking
through the cracks. You'd be asking fifty
dollars for that mule, s'pose. Well, its a
big price, but If you won't take less, I'll have
to give il. Corporal, just write a note for fifty
dollars payable in Florida swamp lands, at
twenty-five dollars an acre, two years after
our glorious Confederacy achieves undisputed
Independence.
"But, Mr.. Bliie," demonstrated the Squire,
elf you take my mule, my family will freeze
to death, snd starve to death, too, afore spring
And if had twenty mules, could not sell
you one sich as that, for less nor three hun
dred in gold, but this one / can't spare at no
price"
1--WE must all make sacrifices, Mr.. Bailey,
for our glorious Csnfederacy. If you only
knew the sacrifices 1 have made, Mr.. Bailey.
The starving and freezing of your wife and
children are nothing compared to them; but
our glorious Confederacy called, and my pa
triotism responded to the call. Future gsner-
atoms will remember and bless rs, Mr.. Bailey.
and We will receive the everlasting gratitude
of our glorious Confederscy. Think of that,
Mr.. Bailey, think Of that"
Mr.. Billie, before his appointment, had been
utterly penniless, and ten times as mean as he
was poor. These qualifications got him the
IS ate of Of.
he was, Of course, stealing fortune. He had
sacrificed the Peter Funk business for that
paradise Of peculators-a quartermastershiP.
Mr.. Blife," said the Squire, with much
feeling, " for the Lords sake don't take my
last airthly support. Don't you see my chill
they know they'll all be in their graves afore
spring, if you rob me Of -
p" Rob 20 exclaimed Mr.. Blife, 6ercely,
Don't say rob- again, or I'll massacre your
whole nest Of traitors. It's because your an
enemy to our glorious Confederaey that you
are unwilling to sell the mule at fair price
Oughtn't 70 pay such as you q cent, but I'm
generous man, and you ought to be thank
full to me Corporal, ill up the note as di-
rected."
Hold on q mint" said the Squire. elf
that paper Is what you are goin' to give me,
per might be of a little use to me, but the
vritin' on it never could"
You're q cursed traitor 10 our glorious
Confederscy," said Billie, and he started to
take the mule out of the pen. 1t was hitched
with q halter, and had q broad cirsingle around
it. He unfastened it. and without dsigning
another word to the enemy Of his glorious
Confederscy' he was OF with il to seek an
other farmers stables
Squire Bailey looked sad as he turned to 90
in the house, and, in the bitterness Of his feel
ings, 90 far forgot himself as to d-n tho
0lorioua Nonfadarar -
SnugIy concealed in Squire Bailey's closet
was Jack Phillips, The up-to-everything Ohio
scout. As the Squire entered the room he
called out, "Come out, Jack; they've gone,
and the internal scoundrels have stole my
mule"
81 told you they would !" said Jack, making
his appearance, q" and If had mt informed you
last night, they'd got all the rest Of 'em that
you sent of. f"
That's so Jack; bat I'd give hundred
dollars TO have that mule back"
Jack looked steadily at the FIRE for Eve
minutes.
"What did you say, Squirrel"
CT said I'd give q hundred dollars to get
that mule back; but 'spose three huadfsd
wouldn't get him.
II don't know" said Jack, abs.ractsdly,
and he looked in the Ere for Eve minutes
more. Suddenly Jack Frightened up, and
said:
"Give me the hundred dollars, Squire, and
I'll bring you your mule tomorrow night, or
your money shall be returned"
The Squire looked amazed at Jack for q
moment, but seeing he was in earnest, put Eve
double eagles in his hand. In few minutes
Jack left the house, dressed in Gnsey pants, q
red wamus, and a coonskin cap.
Next day as Jack was walking leisurely up
the road, By coincidence, probably brought
about by himself, he met the Quartermaster
and his men, returning with the proceeds of
the expedition. Jack smiled q happy smile,
when he saw Blife behind the rest, leading
the Squire's mule. He walked quietly along
until he came almost opposite the Quarter
master, when he darted suddenly of the side
Of the road, looking at the mule as if fright
ened.
"BIastsd scoundrel." Exclaimed Jack.
"Who. who is Q blasted sooundrel ?' asked
the Quartermaster.
"Aint that the mule old Bailey had!" asked
Jack, moving still farther out Of his reach.
eyes; but who did you say was O blasted
r. n..a-