The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-07-12
The Federal Chameleon.

gone down, couple OF men dressed ln
soiled rebel uniforms, ,and each holding IN
his hand a good Austrian rife, raped at
The door of small frame building near
the C-road in Virginia The knock
was answered by an old woman whose face
was almost concealed by the tangled mass
of her gray, uncombed hair.
sand what may ye want here Z" she
exclaimed, as her deep set eyes flashed
upon the two men. II havn't the small
est bit of Jonny cake to offer ye, for it
was all"
"No, no" interrupted one of the sell
diers, "we don't want anything to eat, but
We want you TO tell Us, and that in quick
time, too, whether you have seen slight
but strong looking slip of man 60 by
here of late"
dressed in blue and carrying double
barrelled rife" added the other.
"Hey hey !" cried the bag, lifting
her hands and speaking in sharp angry
voice.
/ "If ye hadn't interrupted me I reckon
yuo'd heard me speak Of him before now
as that was the very man who came here
and bought all ny cakes. 1t was about
two hours ago, and
(which way did he 60 after he left
you p inquired both men, eagerly.
"Before | answer that question you
must tell me who he is, said the old wo-
man with the curiosity natural to Der sex.
"He's a celebrated Union scout whom
we call the "Federal c Chameleon, because
he changes his uniform so often. Some
times it is blue, at other times ray,and
and he has even been seen wearing the
disguise Of an cid farmer. He has shot
more of our men than is at all pleasant,
and we have a rowing commission from
our colonel to 90 on hunt after him and
capture hin if we eau, either dead OF
alive And G5w as We have replied to
you" continued the speaker little lmpa-
tIentiy, "We demand that you answer our
question and"
"Demandi ! interrupted the hagi ia shrill
piercing tones. as that the proper way
/ to speak to 4 woman, and an old woman
1t that?'
Come, come answer US if you please
cried the soldier in a milder tone. 81
mean no harm-It Is my way of speaking"
"WelI perhaps may forgive you and
perhaps not" saidthe old woman shaking
her head.
"How far is your camp from here? ?"
What is that to youI What has that
to do"
"There Won go again with your accurs-
ed incivIlity" shrieked the old hag,
fercely, "but you shall answer my ques-
ton before you get single word out of
me. Now then, how far from here is
your camp, and how many men have you
in and around it :? | intend to carry your
fellows some corn cakes, dye see, and |
want to know the number of mouths that
| have to cook for"
"Oh in that case," said the rebel 81
do not see any reason why | shouldn't
satisfy you. Our camps, then, are about
FIVE miles from here near :he-cross
roads, and our number may be about five
thousand"
"That will d." cried the old woman
with grin of satisfaction-"yes that will
do. And now you are sure that the man
who came here to buy supper is the one
you a-e after!'
"We are sure of it, for although We
have never seen the mans face we'd know
him By his double barrelled rife, as no
body else in the Yankee army carries a
weapon of that kind"
GAY, ay, it's the right one tben," said
the hag. After he had finished and paid
fer bis meal, he says to me: "Friend, I
should like to put Up here for the night
if you have DO objection" But as did
not like the idea of accommodating a.
Yankee any more than | could help
told him there was no room for him as l
expected visitors before many honrs.
"Well, then, said he, can you tell me Of
any place whece [ can pass the night a
little comfortable. You see, he added,
looking toward his big double barrelled
rife, Il don't like to camp out, as it
looks Ike rain, and this piece might be
hurt by it," ''I don't know of any place,
| answered, "short of four miles from here
an old barn which is tight enough l
think, to keep off the rain" "Four miles
is long distance, said he, "and as have
been tramping about considerably to day
| don't feel much like carrying this heavy
load SO far" pointing to his knapsack as
he spoke. "Will you be kind enough to
let it remain till morning?"
DWELL yes" said [, hesitating a little
and throwing significant glance at the
we'll filed pocket book in his hand. He
understood the look and gave me green
dollar. "All right" said I, and he then
departed, saying he'd call for his luggage
in the mstning, after he should waken