The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1869-03-25

off, 1 felt so bad went home. Becaus
what was tho use Of my going South:
couldn't xiii any body. Ihnte to see
mouse caught in a trap
WHAT'S the use of any soldier goin,
South, thenf' said the General. Sup
pose they all take 1t into their heads te
go home: BY your own staemen to 70,
deceived ME about your age, and you
have deserted. You must te punishe,
as a deserter.'
Don't be hard on me Gileral. I'm
all old man. You wouldn'tsen an ole
man South, would you.'
Certainly. There's where we want
all Of them
Tie old lady stepped forward and the
soldier stepped back. Her time hat
come.
She, then, no longer he, this cham pion ca III.
She looked very much excited NJ she
drew from her pocket large cotton
handkerchief, with a village OF q red
brick color represented upon it. The
houses and pump were all very red; also
the church, aud large rooster in the
act Of Growing, suppose, judging from,
his triumphant attitude. The old lady
took chair near the General, smoothed
this handkerchief across her lap, moov-
ed her chair closer and looked resoluteIv
in his face.
General said she, look here: we got
something to say about this. This man
Is my husband; I've lived with him fif-
ty years, and had fourteen children by
him, and l can't and won't hear to his
going South, no how. Don't be Citing
riiled now. amt afeard OF you. l
don't owe you nor the government
nothing. Johns been o soldier more
than year, and has been home living
on me most of the time, and I amt had
a cent for his board. And l don't ask
nothing. But he's going home with me
morning. That's tomorrow.
l rode all, to day in the cars, and I'm a.
tired rs can be. I'll be right thank ful
to get John home; he's a foolish old fel-
low that can't take care of ofhimself.,
Yes said the old volunteer, smiling
and twingling his thumbs, Il am fool. i.
ish old fellow
Hush up said she to him, authora-
lively.
The General to k advantage Of this
moment to say: Your husband, by
his own acknowledgement is a deserter:
but am glad he has given himself
up rather than to have bee" "r'es'ed.-
rre VIA ia,v w Joln MS regiment. De-
scrtion is = great crime, but he can join
the soldiers in the field at once, and by
his good conduct make up for this
'ault'
General, said the old lady, he can't
20 South; he-he-' and she burst into
. loud fiji of crying. Uncle John joined
ncr. They both cried aloud. The scene
was a melancholy one, but the old lady
her composure first. She had
oeen repulsed, but only to return to the
charge. She wiped her eyes with her
church steepie and her nose with the
tail. The old volunteer FUN
,led in his pockets, but finding nothing
here, blew his nose Oh the cape OF his
coat.
You see said the old lady composing
lcrself, it no use a sending him south.
What use would he be in fght?'
Yes said her husband, what use
would be i'm a fight?'
What use are any in a fighto' asked
he General.
oh, General answered the old man.
Some be Of use. Them that's worth
more than me. Why look at my head"
lie pulled off his cap and showed the
snow under it. And look at my knees
He assumed a rheumatic attitude.
Oh, Gineral?' said his wife, what's
he use of talking? He shan't 90. He's
IN old fool
AN old fool, repeated the soldier.
John! hush! 'Gineral don't you see
hat he haint fit for nothing but to play
he fife? I'd like to see him in a bat
.le.'
Yes said he I'D like to see myselfin
. battle
Wont you hush:' said his wife. Gin
,ral? besides having no sense. he's sick.
He has the phthisic awful, and asthma,
oo, and he's got some other awful dis
Eases. cant think of them. The doc
.ors talk SO dreadful big.
My readers! There is tradition that
relates how every cadet at West Point
must swallow sword that he may nev-
sr again sufficiently unbend to look un-
lignified. The Generals sword did not
10 its duty then, if he ever had swal-
owed one. His dignity collapsed. He
smiled most unmilitary smile; it was
indeed All honest laugh. But he man.
aged to say, We'll the doctor will exam
ne him.
What's the use Of a doctor?' said she.
You see yourself what AL old hulk he
.. I've got two sons down South now
with another application of the ROSTERS
of the fourteen and there's
mother of them standing there, the
youngest Of ALL