The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-03-26
The Mule Driver and General Nelson.

Our boys are furious :or practical jokes, |
and are constantly on the look>ont for SUBJ
jecls One was recently procured in the
person of new teansler, who had The |
charge of six large shaggy mules. John
was also the proprietor OF two bottles of old
Bourbon-a coniraband in camp-which
wag discovered, and resolved to possess
Being aware that the drivers presence was
an impediment TO the theft, he hit upon
the following plan to getrid of him
And approaching the driver, who was
busy curryina his mules, he accos,ed him
with 81 say ,old fellow. what are you doing
there 2"
Cant you see :" replied John gruf-
ly.
"CerlainIy," responded the wag but
that is not your business. 1t is after tattoo,
aud there is fellow hired here by the Cen
eral, who curries all the mules and horses
brought in after tattoo"
The mule-driver BIT at once, and wanted
tn know where The hair dresser kept him.
self Whereupon he was directed 10 Gen
Nelson's tent, with the assurance tha, there
was WHARF the fellow hung out.
"You can't mistake the man said the
wag, 'he's large fellow, and puts on
laundering sight OF airs for a man in his
business. He will probably refuse 10 do it
and ell you 10 go TO the devil, bot don't
mind that. he has been drinking TO day
Make him come ont, sure"
John posted off, and entering the tent
where our Napolean of he Fourth Division
sat in deep reverie, probably considering
the mos, expeditious method OF expelling
the rebel Buckner from his native State,
sIappiog him on The back with force suffi-
c,ent to aunihlate man Of ordinary size
Sprngine 10 his feet. the General accosted
his uninvi:ed guess with, g Well, sir, who
are you, and what the devil do you want p
sold boss, I've got Job for you now
six mules TO be curried, and right off, too, .
said the captain of mules, nothing daunted
a, the flashing eye Of the General.
! "Do you know whom you are address
/ ing, sir l'' asked the indignant commsn-
/ der.
| "Yes," said John, elevating his voice TO
! a pitch which rendered the words andible
a square of, "you are the fellow hired by
/ Uncle Sam 10 clean mules, aud | won't
! have any fooli>hness Clean them mules,
and l'il give you drink of busthead."
"Yon internal vi!ainp' exclaimed the
] General now perfectly furious. 81 am Gen.
| Nelson. commander OF this divisionw
| John placed The thumb OF his right hand
against his nose, and extending his fingers,
waved them slowly, in manner supposed
by some 10 be indicative OF great wis
dom
The Generals sword leaped from its scab-
bard, and John from the tent just in lime to
| save his head.
Our boys drank the "big mule drivers"
health in The Bourbon. The story soon got
out, and is now the joke of the season.
TARpv PATkIorIsM IN BALTIMoRE-Our
Union friends OF Baltimore have just been
spurring up some of their Secesh citizens 20
prompi though iardy display OF loyalty
suited 10 the times After the surrender Of
Fort Donelson an effective number of The
friends of Government paid visit 10 the
proprietors oil the Baltimore Sun-which
paper, with former Southern procivilies,
has lalterly observed snIlen silence 10 po-
ltical maters-and remindedt them that the
American flag was not visible in or around
the establishment. After a brei. interval
the omission was rectfied. The proprietor
OF Barnum's Hotel, another Southern SYM
pathiser, had his attention called TO the
same detect noticeable about his premises,
with an equal happy effect. Bunting was al
30 raised on The Top of The Washington
Monument, which was excessively dlsiasle
fu 10 the numerous Secesh dwellings III the
neighborhood Altogether, our numerous
friends in the Monumental CnY seem 10 be
getting on very well.
A distinguished divine on certain oc-
casion, while preaching with his usual eio-
qnence and power, SAID: "Brehren,
sometimes illustrate my subject in this
manner and putting his haudkerchli to has
nose, blew a blast loud enough to wake The
seven sleepers. That was not The intended
illustration, bnt some of his hearers thought
il was.