The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-04-19

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to the truth but for my personal couraG
Why sir, you may believe me when L t.
you, I never yet knew fear. One tin
during the battle of Gettysburg, when sh
and shell were flying around me like ha
o in the midst of the fight; yes sir, in t
very hottest part of the battle, 1 knt
down by the side of wounded soldier
give him spiritual consolation, and aft
reading chapter in the new testament
commenced praying for the poor SHINE
when solid shot from eleven pour
Dahlgreen of the enemy's battery, knockt
the testament out of my hand, and toe
the poor soldiers head off at the same il
stant; but I continued with my pray
until General Lee rode up and begged n
to retire to a place of safety. Yet l nevt
felt the least fear, although every man We
killed within two hundred yaYds of me, i
fact the whole face of the earth was covel
ed with mangled corpses three and fou
deep.
'Is it possible2 But you were about t
tell me secret said the drummer.
ooh yes, well, am going to Summit t.
get married but I'll not tell you her name
at present, for as the saying goes 'ther'
many slip twixt cup and lips and SOM
thing might possibly turn up; however
anticipate nothing to prevent the union
're you married manP"
'es, have lovely wife," replied th'
mer drawing deep sigh as he con
tinued ''but alas, alas"
"Where do you reside ?" asked the preach
er not seeming to comprehend the mourn
full expression of the other.
"Well T. placing deep emphasis on the
personal pronoun. II reside no where in
particular. am, in fact cosmopolite, but
my wife-oh! ever venerated name-my
wife lives in New Orleans" replied the
drummer, carrying his face with his hands
and apparently convulsed with emotion.
Family trouble" whispered the preach-
er sympathetically.
''No. No fault of hers. No reproaches
God knows she's as pure as the driven
snow, )" sobbed the drummer.
"And you-?"
"Was bit bit by a mad dog just seven
years ago tonight said the drummer in
terrupting him.
"My Godl" Ejaculatod the preacher
showing back his chair about foot, ''And
she is afraid to live with you?"
Eyes. came very near biting her once,
Just year after was bit and from that
day we separated"
'Do you have these spells often?' asked
the preacher now exhibiting much concern
and cycling the drummer with great caution.
every year once, and generally on the
of the accident, though last
year at the Hot Springs passed my time
nearly a month
'Do you have an attendant with you all
the timer
Certainly sir. Mr.. Levy there" point
ing to one of the party, "travels with me
all the time; of course it would not do for
me to go unattended. would be liable to
bite any one" replied the drummer.
''Do you ever attempt to bite him?'
asked the preacher.
Frequently replied the drummer, ''but
10 wears an india rubber suit next his skin,
70 protect him."
"Have you felt any paroxysm today"
inquired the preacher.
''Yes, indeed, all day long, [ have been
feeling bad"
"Has the pain left your head and spine?"
'sked Levy, who had been an attentive
istener to their conversation.
"No, I'm growing worse, fear, and you
must be on the alert. 1 feel somewhat
pasmatic already, but think will go out
md take the air few minutes; it may DO
ne good.' Thus saying, the drummer
rose and left the room.
ga bad case,' said the preacher, shaking
lis head, as soon as the door closed be-
lind the drummer.
'Yes, sad case, " said Lovy, "and no one
Knows the trouble have with him he
rows worse and worse every year. dread
o-night."
The drummer, who, in the meantime had
ntered the harber-shop, and lathered his
noustache until his mouth was completely
overed with foam, rushed in at this in
tant, coatless and hatless, his eyes almost
'rotruding from their sockets, and gnash>
ng his teeth, made break for the preach
r. The preacher made break for the
rst door, and landed in the parlor, closing
door after him, bracing it with his
figure. Levy Immediately secured
be drummer, and took him out of the room
mid the suppressed laughter of the crowd.
Gan right" sang out the clerk, who had
umped down from his perch on the counter,
here he had taken refuge from the sup
osed madmau, for the purpose of better
arrying out the joke, ''all right, he's gone;
ley have carried him away"
"God be praised" said the preacher,
from his hiding place, as pale as
le ghost of Hamlet's father, :" tell You
lat man is dangerous, and ought to be
,ut up in an asylum" He continued
from head to foot like an aspen.
/ belive I'll Just take a bed feel mighty
eepy, and if that fellow goes down on the
ext train, you needn't mind waking me
p" Registering bis name, he went to
ID, while the clerk joined the balance of
le company, including the hydrophobia
ctim, in the bar-room, and all smiled
ng, loving, Rfectionate smile.