Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-11-11
Ally Gators Letter.
HEAD WATERS OF SALT RIVER,
Scott County, Tenn, Nov. 6, 1863.

/ SCOtL OOuutys louuss Nots Us loooJ
l am up here on little missionar.
enterprise.
You see, when the returns began t
come in Of our local election for Con
gresham, it was ascertained that the
unterrifed Houk, the Boomer of the
mountains, had not beaten Maynard 81
much ss he anticipated.
The more returns came in the worse i
looked for him.
Here in Knoxville the bold Leonidai
had barely the 300 with which his Spartan
namesake defended Thermopyle SO gal
lantly; and as this was case where
numbers were the necessity, of course
the gallant three hundred didn't helI
Houk much.
"This is terrible, Ally" said he, as ht
wrung my hand affectionately. Never.
theless, let us wait till we hear from the
| mountains"
The next day went up to congratu'
late old Proc upon the result of the elec
| tioB, but was not at all surprised to
| find that the venerable patriot was a
little depressed, even in the very hour OF
apparent victory.
ALLY" said he, the thing looks all
right, but it is in fact all wrong The
Internal rebels, copperheads and Ku-
Klux Democrats have thrown up the
sponge and want peace.
"That old sardine, Horace Greeley,
and Grant, who is bad, will be 80
foolishly magnanimous as to give it to
them.
81 won't have anything of the kind
going on in Tennessee, and l want you
to 90 up to Nashville and see that the
members of the Legislature do not get
any foolish notions in their heads.
ut does not help the loyal men of
Tennessee any to have elected Grant,
unless we can keep our heels upon the
rebels. and retain all the Offices for our :
selves. M
Tennessee is polluted now by the
election Of two mocrstic Congressman,
who have got to be taught lesson by
having the vote for them thrown out, and
am not going to permit such state Of
affairs to become general"
promised l would attend to the mat
ter.
AsIwe down the street l met Houk
again.
he appeared frightfully demoralized.
ALLY" said he, II have heard from
Roane and Bradley. / have no more
business around this part of the country.
Let us take trip to. the mountains,
where the party / founded is true to its
maker, and the loyal people appreciate
my virtues"
/ told him / had to gosto Nashville to
attend to some business for Governor
Brownlow.
Iregret to say that the defeated candi-
date cursed Brownlow bitterly when /
mentioned his name.
"Never mind" said he, leone on
with me any how. You can get TO Nash
vile that way, and leave me at the head
waters Of Salt river
"Where is that"
"Well, Ally" be replied, 81 reckon
can fud il somewhere in Scott county"
So / listened TO his entreaties, aud we
started upon our sorrowful pilgrimage.
The people Of Anderson county had
heard Of the result and greeted him with
tears Of coincidence.
"Ifs all right, fellow citizens, said
the Judge, II hope he'll roost iover next
time. bat they don't appreciate true 10y
atty down il the valley counties.
" hope you did your duty here, my
friends"
There vas an awful pause, broken si
length By General Richard JsrnigAn-
Business is business, Judge Il amt
no use O talking This cooniy vas al
for yod, bat yoa see they didn't poll
enouRh Of voteG Bat look-s-hsrel let's
take drink"
Ally" sorrovfully observed The
lodge, do you hear thatf"