The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-11-19
A RUSE DE GUERRE.

ry s., who was seated with his long
legs dangling from the window Sill
"There's that old fellow just going to
pitch into that enormous apple-pie, and
there are sliced peaches and cream in
abundance. Now, its bad enough, it
strikes me, to be eaten up by the mosqui
toes, and other varmints, too fearful to
mention, not to speak of the intolerabe
heat, without the Tantalus punish
ment of seeing and hearing other people
enjoy themselves, with not the remotest
chance of being asked to participate. 1t
don't pay, and defy human nature to
stand it, either !"
"Its all very well to say it don't pay"
grumbled another, who answered to the
nickname of Crowley aud who was
percbed up on a oss-beam, something
like chicken roosting. "But what's to
to be done? There is no CHARGE for rest
what, with the internal cousin, cousin
of these mosquitoes, and there is no more
whisky left to keep US awake; in short,
as the poet elegantly expresses it--there's S
no nothing! p
"That's so y echoed the rest, who were
in quite as bad humor as their comrade
Crowley
"And yet," continued he we must sit
here -
"Roost here, Crowley" interrupted
some one.
"Wcll, roost here, and roost here, list
ening to the sounds Of merriment in
which we can take no part. [, for one,
won't stand it, and am for storming the
house, carrying off the pretty daughter,
banging up the old man, and kicking up
the devil generally!'
"No, no, mo-" interrupted Harry s.,
the first speaker. Don't let US employ
any violent means. [ have an idea, we
will take gentle means to soften this old
rebels hoart-for rebel | believe him to
be, though protesting Union sentiments
we will charm him with music. 'Mu-
sic hath charms you know, 'to soothe
the savage breast and we know that
Orpheus braved even the dangers Of hell
through the magic of his Tyre"
Il tell you what it is, S." ex
claimed a comrade, in voice of mingled
indignation and mockery, "you're evident
ly tight; have suspected 1T all along,
but now I'm certain of it ! The idea Of
making any Impression on the old reoel's
heart you might as well try to keep the
devil from pillng on the coal by playing
him an air on the jewsharp. As for that
fable Of Orpheus, | don't believe a word
of it, and am under the strong conviction
that the only Tyre (liar) in the mat
ter was the person who first invented the
story"
"Formy part" interposed another, who
had not yet spoken, 81 think Harry is
right Our involuntary and evidenly un-
willing host is German, and Germans,
you know, are all proverbially fond of
music Besides, hasn't he been bawling
himself hoarse all the evening with Was
ist das Deutcher Faterland,' &c, &c"
Il don't see any harm in trying, any
how. We can, at most, but make the
night hideous' s'-when, in selfdefsnce,
and if for nothing else but to stop our
mouths, be may be tempted to send US
some of the good things visible on the
sidebord yonder." j."
"Well. strike up, then, whoever has
any tune left in him." exclaimed Grow
ley. "I'm sure l m in for the good things,
for I'm as hungry as wolf" So saying,
he gave a preparatory snort, that might
have served as the Introductory to grand
Indian scalp dance.
"By heavens, none of that !" exclaimed
all in chorus. "Don't you join in, Grow
ley, or you will have the old Dutchman
vacate the premises altogether, and the
pies and goodies now visible, disappear
ing up the chimney, like the magic sup
per in Christmas pantomime"
"WelI, blow your own horn, then, for
id if I'll help you any more" answered
the indignant vocalist
That's gratitude, that is After me
doing all | could TO mend matters, too
Well, we'll, republics are proveFbially un-
grateful and the soldiers of a republic
are the most ungrateful of all created be
ings Now you may let Harry sing for
you!"
eyes, Harry, do you start II" now
echoed from every side. "Out with it,
old boy"
Thus urged, Harry S-,who had re-
ally fine voice. struck up tune, in
which the rest joined with admirable eff.
feet, for, although the music might not
have passed muster at the Academy we
doubt if sweeter strains had ever before
arisen and mingled with the moonlight
air of that region, at least
But it is time to give an explanation
IF tho ueriod and circumstances of this