The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-05-14
. War, Wit and Hunor.
'cUMULATIN' A BEEHIVE.
BY CAPT. JERE. WILLIAMS,


"Boys, I know where there is Secesh
beehive" said Jack Phillips, one dull
morning, while we we're quartered on
Cheat Mountain Summit - -sh'as
"Where is it?'' asked one OF" his two
hearers. Woe go y = "'
. "1f you'll promise to go along and
help 'cnmulate it. I'll tell you" y spsc
"Count me one.' said Jed Wicks. =
s'Couht me half a dozen, if you want
that many" said Bill Reese: s3t.fs7' e
"But I'il tell you, boys, it's down at
Robinsou's. on Cheat river. aud worse
than that, it's in The kitchen loft; and
still worse, he has two aA-6red big cross
4" So0 eAT s7sel 1Faie
s.Come to think said Jed Wicks, .I
haven't time to GO" - g - 4
II never agreed to go" said Bill Reese,
"Look-a here fel!erss. I tell you we can
'cumulate that ere honey, and eff you fel.
lers are afeered to go, can 6nd somebody
that ain't" a'ss Vs' = slsc4-sn s's3i'
rhis left,hander at their courage set
them to warding of with other excuses.
"I'm not afeered to gc," said Jed,"
but maybe Robinson is a Union man, and
It woulda't do, you know" -atae IS
A"Not by 'dern'd sight, be amt He's
one of these cured neutral Secesh that's
ten simes wus than al out.and. outer. He
carries news to Greenbrisr camp, and 1 n
prove it on him afore week.
'"But them" interposed Bill, tive can't
get past the camp guards; and if we
could, it looks a1ittle too much like steal
inn sspets ai As AaFNA 4ea ~
@ :sGitsiu' past the guards ain't com
mon amusement. said Jack; 'jist say
you'll go, and the honey is eurn And
as to the. moral pint, we'll 60 'cording TO
law aud custom, you know. Fust. de-
mandin' of the Secesh bees to take the
oath. they refusin'. we arrest them, and
confscate their property. All fair and
legal, you see What's steaiin' in times
o. peace, is con6scatin' and 'cumulatin' in
time o. war. For stealin' you go to Jail,
bnt for 'cumulatin' you git promoted. So
you see, in moral pint of view, it's in
tirely different .ssE
Their quams of conscience being thus
disposed of, aud Jack hav-
ing secuted their hidesagainst the hounds,
they agreed to go if he would get pass
to take them through the guard lines.
"Coms right along, them" said Jack,
and they followed him to remote beat
where was Walking. to and fro, German
sentinel, who could not read English.
After the usual challenge, Jack advanced,
and drawing from the folds Of his poeke,
book q erampled paper, read as follows:
CAMP CHEAT MOUNTAIN SUMMIT, VA J.
''i October l8, 1861. ~ {
The guard will pass the bearer
and two comrades, on very important
business. Brig. Gen'l MILRoY.
: The German understood none of this
except the name aud title of the General
and Jack. to prevent him from calling {
corporal of the guard. looked very imp ort
ant, aud made him understand that the
General wished the expedition kept {
PROFOUND secret The sentinel deferen
italy stepped aside. and they passed on
allow IN the dickens did you get tha
pass, Jack inquired Bill. ,s:..z0 8
Pass be hanged. twas nothing bu
little note Robinson sent mp to the Gen
erai t'other day by me, about tie boys I
stealin' from him, Yes. | give is to hin
much" 20 Eas.-.,..., -
s's'Bus what does The ,,s note : So ,'eagsrI.
inquired, Bill. $40 :, - ''',' 81
| - ..,,Why, it seys as how if the ginra
lows any of the soldiers come stealth
about him, his dogs shouldn't leave ha
nor hide of 'em. He done it to skeer me
as be noticed me q eyein' Of his beehive
/ tux the hint and the no,e. and told hin
like as not some Of the boys would b,
down this very day. aud mebbe steal hi
Ibsehise eF s9mee.hl9p.' mee.hhl9p. Says he, do 70!
Isee them? ,pintin' to his dogs. Siiys j
l'I believe I see 'em Says he, one O
them will tear the hind legs off mau tn
ffust jerk. ef I telt 'em to. = Says I, ,kee,
. sharp look out and mentioned to hin
specially TO keep bis eyes peeled to day.
BiIlfand Jed stopped. a.,
!, Jack, said Bill, my ,pinion is you'r
tryin' to git into an Internal scrape.'
Mary time, fellers; nary time. I js
wanted the Secesh cnis to understan
that Jack Phillips could 'cumnIate tha
beehive il him aud his dogs was straddl
Iofs it, I tell you, 'pop honor, that 1 hay
THE ropes oil Iaid, aud that beehive is a
good as Qurn without any scratch l.
manage Robinsonsand the dogs mysel
they shan't as much as look towards you
i After some further assurance, the
proceeded, and when they approached Ii
house, they crept quietly through the lat
rel to take q Reconnaissance. There s,
Robinson in the very door through whic
they would have to pass 10 order to ,reae
d the beehive, and by the doorstep lay tt
1.-TWO ferocious dogs. Appearances. ce
tainly. were not very promising, but JAG
q very quietly remarked, 'all right old fe
/. ler' s7ogs4 sBi m4Braa taet,W
H. s'Now, Bill said be, .you and Jed J.,