Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-05-21

7 y
Mr. Bli6e, before his appointment had been
utterly penniless, and ten times as mean as he
was poor These qualifications got him the
appointment of quartermaster; ont of this Of
fee he was, of course, stealing fortune He
had sacrificed the Peter Funk business for
that paradise of spectators, quartermaster-
ship.
"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
dren all cryin' and carryin' on because they
know they'll all be in the grave afore next
spring, if you rob me Of"
Rob" exclaimed Mr.. BTfe, fercely,
don't say rob again, or I'll massacre your
whole nest of traitors It's because you're
an enemy to our glorious Confederacy that
you are unwilling to tell the mule at fair
price. I Oughn't to pay such as you cent
but I'm a generous man, and you ought to be
thankful to me. Corporal, FIJI up the note as
I directed"
"Hold on a mint, said the squire. at
that paper is what you are going to give me,
don't spile it by writin' on it The blank pa
per may be of little use to me, but the wri-
tin or it never could"
You are a cursed traitor to our glorious
Confederacy," said BHfe, and he started the
mule out of the pen. It was hitched with a
haltar and had broad circingle around it
He unfastenedit it, and without deigning anoth-
er word to the enemy of his glorious Confed-
eracy. he was off with the mule to seek anoth-
er farmers stables.
Squire Bailey looked sad as he turned to
go into the house; and, in the bitterness ofhis
feelings so far forgot himself as to curse the
glorious Confederacy.
Snugly concealed in Squire Bailey's closet
was Jack Philips, the up-to-everything Ohio
scout
As the squire entered the room he called
out "Come ont, Jack they've gone, and the
Internal scoundrels have stolen my mule"
I" told you they would" said Jack ma
king his appearance. "and if I hadn't inform
ed you last night, they'd a got all the rest that
you sent off,"
That's so, Jack; but I'd give a hundred
dollars to have that mule back"
Jack looked steadily at the fire for five
minutes
What did you say, squirrel"
al said I'd give a hundred dollars to get
that mule back but s'pose three hundred
wouldn't get him"
"I don't know" said Jack, abstractly, and
he looked into the fire for five minutes more
Suddenly he Enlightened up ard said:
"Give me the hundred dollars, squire, and
III bring you your mule tomorrow night, or
your money shall be returned"
The squire looked amazed at Jack FOR mo-
ment. but seeing he was in earnest. put five
double eagles in his hand In a few minutes
Jack left the house, dressed in Ensey pants,
red wamus, and coonsllin cap.
The next day as Jack was walking leisure
" up the road, by a coincidence, probably
brought about by himself he met the quar-
termaSer aud his men returning with the pro
ceeds of the expedition.
James smiled q happy smile when he saw
Billie behind the rest, leading the squire's
mule. H walked qniedy along until he came
almost opposite the qnartermaster, when he
darted suddenly of the side of the road, lock-
ing at the mule as if frightened
Blasted scoundrelr exclaimed Jack.
"Who? who is blasted scoundrel?T ask |
ed the quartermaster
g Amt that the mule old Bailey had p ask
ed Jack, moving still further out of his reach |
"Ycs. But who did you say was blast
ed scoundrel p inquired the quartermaster.
very naturally taking all such compliments to
himself
Why, old Bailey, and the mule too, for
that matter replied Jack
What's the matter with the mule p ask
ed Billie, whose former occupation had not
made him much of a judge of live stock
"The matter! why he'll kill you afore you
get home. You didn't pay the old sinner
anything for him, did your" inquired Jack.
Certainly paid two hundred and fifty
dollars for him" This was what the sacrifc-
ing patriot intended to return him at, to his
glorious Confederacy.
Lord mercyT exclaimed Jack.
" But what is the matter with him p ask
ed Blife, looking at the animal half frighten-
ed.
"That ere mule, replied Jack, has kicked
lown in his time; every panel Of fence on old
Bailey's place. You found him in a pen of
Big logs didn't you.
{" Yes; why2" inquired Blife.
And them ere logs are fastened by big
ron bolts. It's the only thing that would
.ver hold him. He has killed all the rest of
I'D Bailey's stock, and the rascal has kept him
in purpose to swindIe some fellow with"
"I heard that he used to have more stock,
aid Blfe.
That's what's become Of it." said Jack
Didn't the children cry, and didn't old Bal
ey whine and carry on about loosing his three
undred dollar mule 2"
"Yes they did at a great rate"
Il knowd it, said Jack "The old woman I
nanked them children, and sent them out IL
he nick o time to help along the old rascal
4 his swindle. And to cheat our glorious
'onieleracy in that manner, he ought to be
ung" and Jack winked his OF eye. /
" But if he's SO vicious" said Blfe, hope