The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-04-17

will freeze to death, and starve to death,
too, before spring. And if [ had twenty
mules, could not sell you one sich as
that for less nor three hundred in gold,
but this one can't spare at no price"
owe must make all sacrifices, Mr. Bal
ley, for our glorious Con:cderacy. Ifyou
| only knew the sacrifices have made, Mr..
| Bailey. The starving and freezing of
your wife and children are nothing COM
pared to them but our glorious Confed-
eracy called, and my patriotism responded
| to the call. Future generations will re-
member and bless us, Mr.. Bailey, and we
| will receive the everlasting gratitude of
our glorious Confederacy. THINK Of that,
Mr. Bailey-think of that"
Mr. Blife, before his appointment, had
| been utterly penniless, and ten times as
mean as he was poor. These qualifica-
tions got him the appointment Of quar-
termaster out Of this Office he was steal
ing fortune.
''Mr. Blife," said the Squire, with
much feeling, "for the Lords sake don't t
take my last earthly support. Don't you
see my children are all cryin' and a
carryin on, because they all know they'll
be in their graves afore spring if you rob
me Of
"Ro5 ~ exclaimed Mr.. Blife, fcrcely.
Don't say rob again, or I'll massacre
your whole nest of traitors. It's because
you'le an enemy to our glorious Confcd-
eracy that you are unwilling to sell the
mule at fair price. ] ought'nt to pay
such as you a cent, but I'm a generous
man, and YOU ought to be thankful to
me. Corporal, Eli up the note as drec-
ted"
"Hold on mint" said the Squire
off that paper is what you are goin' to
give me, don't spile it by writin' on it.
The blank paper might be of a little use
to me, but the writin' on it never could"
You're cussed traitor to our glorious
Confederacy," said Blife, and he started
to take the mule out Of the pen. 1t was
hitched with halter, and had a broad
circingle around it. He unfastencd it,
and without deigning another word to the
enemy Of his glorious Confederacy, he
was Off with it to seek another farmers
stables.
Squire Bailey looked and as he turned
of his feelings, so far forgot himself as to
TIL liiC SlOtIOuS tOuiSucTaCJ.
Snugly concealed in Squire Bailey's
closet was Jack Phillips, the up-to-every
thing Ohio scout, AS the Squire entered
the room he called out. "Come out,
Jack they've gone, and the internal scoun-
drcls have stole my mule"
81 told you they would" said Jack
making his appearance: "and if | hadn't
informed you last night, they'd got all
the rest of them that you sent off
"That's so, Jack; but I'd give hun
dred dollars to have that mule back"
Jack looked steadily at the fire for five
minutes
"What did you say Squire ?"
"I said I'd give hundred dollars to
get that mule back, but | suppose three
hundred wouldn't get him"
81 don't know" said Jack, abstractly,
and he looked in the fire for five minutes
more. Suddenly Jack brig ghtened up and
said:
''Give me the hundred dollars, Squire,
and I'll bring you your mule tomorrow
night or your money shall be returned"
The squire looked amazed at Jack for
a moment, but seeing he was in earnest,
put five double eagles In his hand. In a
few minutes Jack left the house, dressed
in lipsy pants, red wamus and a coon
skin cap. =
Next day as Jack was walking liesurly
up the road, by coincidence, probably
brought about by himself, he met the
quartcrmaster and his men, returning with
the proceeds Of the expedition. Jack
smiled happy smile when he saw Blife
behind the rest, leading the Squires mule
He walked quietly along until he came
almost opposite the quartermaster, when
he daited suddenly off the side of the
road, looking at the mule as if frighten-
ed
"Blasted scoundrel," exclaimed Jack.
"Who who is blasted scoundrel !''
asked the quartermaster.
'Ain't that the mule old Bailey had p
asked Jack, moving still farther out o.
his reach.
ayes but who did you say was blast
ed scoundrel % inquired the quartermas-
ter, very naturally taking all such compli-
ments to himself
"Why, old Bailey, and the mule, too,
for that matter" replied Jack.
''W hats the matter with the mule ?"
ask ed Billie, whose former occupation had
not made him much Of judge Of live
stock,