The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-12-04

sergeant without promotion, save by his
comrades-and was one of them. It
was plain private Jim, who got six bull
lets in his body for picking up his COM
pany's flag and holding it until the ene-
my had to tear it from him in
strips and make his body a bullet
pouch. II was Corporal Jim who with
four men captured a six-pounder at
Ohancellorsville and fought it until only
Jim was left. It was Sergeant Jim who,
in the Wilderness, while waiting under
fire for orders to advance, left the ranks,
picked up a shell that lay with burning
fuse not ten feet from him, carried it to
a mud-puddle and threw it in. 1t was
then the boys made him leftenant. And
two hours later it was this same leften-
ant whO fought like demon over the
body of his wounded colonel, and got
two saber cuts as his reward for saving
his man. He wanted to die, he said,
but couldn't get killed. That's a little
Of what he was. To-day I've seen him
II thought he was dead-and he is a
tramp, gentlemen, miserable vaga-
bond, with clothes too mean for &
scavenger, and without food enough in
side of him to keep his skin in place.
Give him something to eat if he asks it,
and you'll feed hero. AS for me, he
is to me as brother. My home shall
be his home, if 1 can find him." Hav-
ing delivered this speech, he set out
once more in search of his friend.
Poor Jim, crouching in the brush,
weary and cold, had dozed little at
first. Then he began to chew Eastwood
buds and wondered, as he munched,
how and where he should get his dinner.
he disliked to venture out of his place
of concealment, for he feared Belden
more than he ever feared an enemy. In
all his vagabondRge he had never yet
asked for more costly charity than a
drink of water. He had worked when
he could get anything to do, and earned
his money, the last of which had gone
to the boy. He had avoided towns be-
cause their people were inhuman, Civ
ing strangers no chance. But he was in
Winscom-the great city lay only a
dozen miles away-and he must eat
though he begged for it, and was turned
from door after door.
He rose to his feet, every motion caus-
ing him pain, and came out into an open
lot. The wind had freshened since
morning. The skies had darkened, and
dashes of fine snow gave signs of bad
night. Adown the long street into
which he emerged not person was to
be seen. A dull town, thought the lieu
tenant, forgetting that its men went to
the city. Then he made circuit to
avoid Belden, and to escape groups of
people. He began his disagreeable
task at diagonal point of the town from
where he started.
At three houses the door was shut in
his face before his request for food
was half spoken. The "Leften-
ant swore at this sort of treat
ment. That was natural enough for
hungry man who had been hero but
everybody did not know his record. OF
course not, and they would never hear
of it from his lips. Moody and despair
ing, he prepared for what he resolved
should be his last request. A hand
some cottage was before him. 1t was
well-hghted, for the dusk was falling.
He pushed up his hat on one.side and
pulled it down on the other, that it
might have a more jaunty look. He took
that trouser leg out of his boot and de-
posted in his pocket the string which
had belted his coat. Those little alter
ations did not change his appearance
much, but they softened some of the
outlines. His timid knock at the back
door was answered by a buxom Irish
girl. AS the door opened, there rushed
out the fragrant incense of roasting
turkey.
"I am hungry" he began. "I'ye
had nothing to eat to-day"
The door began to close. He put his
hand against it.
"For heavens sake give me some.
thing, if it's not more than crust Of
bread !"
1t was the hero "Lieutehsat Jim
who was pleading for just "a mouth
fuls.. The door opened little.
"Ye're a hard-looking traqa'0- are,
said the girl.
at know it" admitted the lid nant
And the mistress is mighty ticu
lar" continued the girl. "Ths Il on,
, of yes we fed just ran away the
shpoon, though, to be sure itN Is al
ould iron one. Yes mighty u sly fel
, low"
"Perhaps. But 1 don't steal" as
serted the ex-soldier. "Now think
minute I've eaten nothing to-day
Give me bit of something. I'll eat i
in the back yard-anywhere.
. "Well, come in, said the girl doubt
? fully. "I'll take my chances. There
set in that chair and don't shpake wur
/ rud."
, She hustled around and soon hande,
t him plate loaded with cold meat an,
bread, a generous slice of butter on th
edge, and a bowl of milk to keep tn
9 food company.
a "Pitch in now p she ordered. Yol
. tind to your business and I'll tind +
! mine, but no thavery."
Dinner had not been served. Fl
heard the hum of distant conversatio
8 and little bursts of laughter in distan
{ room. Now and then some one struc