Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1862-02-20

whnt chilly, although it was june
!, (the night-air is always cool uro.
, the mountaih1 and the heat OF tn
fire. was quitea social friend. IL
, two "Relicfs,' not then OH duty
were putting at their pipes aroun'
the "guard- fires" and talking Wisel.
even critically, about the yari
Gus orders, counter-marehes am
mysterious movements, which ha(
consumed the recent weeks
Around the fire of tie .rear-guart
the discussion Yves particularly sol
emn; for there an unwonted mum
Der of pipes obscured the air Will
volumes of the fragrant smoke ant
the wisdom of the council was, Of
-course, the more profound. In the
grave and discriminating circle,
moreover, there were two or thre e
seedy Old fellows, who chad seen
service" and one of them-with a
glafing red face, and quite pfotu-
berance ON the end of this nose
who. rs he said with rather q hero
ic air, chad been ia New Mexico,
was listened to by the maiden so,-
diers round him with the rever-
ence given by youthful braves in
in an Indian council to some an
cient sycamore. One of the young
men, indeed, who was noted for his
vain and insubordinate spirit, did
ask the sage when he spoke of
New Mexico, if he had been in the
Utah War under Scott, too, while
there, but the man-eating look of
the veteran, and the indignant
frowns OF his Mortified compan-
ions, caused him to shrink back
abashed at his own temerlty.-
''Boys," continued the fiery
nosed oracle, patronizingly
the inconsiderate Juvenile was put
down-''I was in New Mexico as
| said, and think ought to know
something about military matters
and such like; ought'nt I?'' CAY
ay! indeed you oughtY' they all
responded-including the rash and
discomfited youth-for, like many
in ciriz life, he thought it more
prudent. to be On the side of the
greater number. "'Well, now it's
my opinion" he resumed after this
satisfactory response-taking the
pipe from his mouth at the same
time, and blowing a cloud cf smoke
between his lips, producing thus
the form of an ostrich plume
that old Patterson is sharp old
fellow, but Johnston is still sharper,
and as for Cadwallader if he comes
this way cur brave Bee will sting
him, won't he?" "That he will
shat he will!'' said the boys with a
laugh. ''But, Corporal, about this
forced march?' ''TruG-true--
well-yes," slowly answered the
knowing Corporal, gaining time to
collect his thoughts and keeping
his audience in suspense as long
as possible. SWELL it's my opinion
| that we'll find old Patterson some
where about Martinsburg, and
Johnston beating linn over the
head with his own crutchI' A
loud laugh followed this elegant
sally, and the corporal having es-
tablished his reputation as man
of humor as well as wisdom, proved
the latter quality by not hazard
ing his triumph; and springing
quickly to his feet, he walked to-
ward two young officers, who sat
somewhat apart s'Is it time to
turn out the third Relief, sir?" he
asked. "Notyet, Jerry" answered
the tallest of the officers, and Jer-
ry returned to the fire. The off.
Ger who replied was tail well
built young man, Of perhaps siS
and twenty, with dark complexion
a somewhat black beard growing
lover the lower part Of his face ahe
a clehf, dark, gray eye. Hi'
mouth was partially concealed by
his fiibdstaches; but his voice wa
| i-se.yl-k:- ~ n,.1 eli Iff. .ro