The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-10-26
THE TIMES. NEW BLOOMFIELD, PA. OCTOBER 2e, 1880.

brother jim" Here the smile on his
face spread into broad grin, and he
chuckled as his mind went back to the
serlo-comicical adventure. Tom Wood,
or" Uncle Tommy" as he was known
in General Lees camp, had never been
with the army In Flanders, but he had
learned their habits all the same, and
was perhaps as wicked hunter as ever
shouldered rifle.
But I'll tell you about how 1 liked
to have been caught. 1t was late in
December, and 1t occurred to me that /
would take my Christmas frolic by
making little scout out to my home in
Randolph county. We were camped at
the Warm Springs, and had nothing to
do in camp and 1 felt lonesome like.
AS Christmas drew on, 1 got to think
ing about my old woman and the chill
dren at home. They were away inside
the lines of the enemy, and 1 thought
that Christmas would be more like
Christmas to them II / could unexpect-
edly drop down among them. So l
shouldered old gun and away I went,
out through Pocahontas and down into
Randolph. got along first rate on my
way out; saw no Federals; slipped
around their pickets, saw my family,
and after enjoying myself for a season,
started back.
"Of course kept out of the way of
all the settlements and stuck to the
mountains. stopped at nobody's house
unless knew them to be true.blue
Southerners. One night came to the
Greenbriar, and just as dark came on a
heavy sleet set in. was cold, tired and
hungry and the only house where could
find shelter was the home of old Billy
johnson, whom L knew to be the most
had no personal acquaintance with him,
and didn't think that he had ever seen
me, so concluded to risk myself under
his roof that night anyway. 1t was my
purpose to give him fictitious name,
for I felt pretty sure that if he discover
ed that was Tom Wood the rebel
scout, L would not live to see daylight.
Mastering up courage, and helped along
by the wet and cold, L sought refuge
under Johnson's roof and was hospita-
bly, received. While sitting by the fire
warming myself, Johnson kept looking
into my face earnestly, when all at once
he rose from his seat, approached, and
standing directly in front of me, says:
'Ain't your name Wood?'
Here was a poser, and 1 thought 1
was caught. 1 knew that if he recog-
nized me 1t would do no good to lie
about it, so owned up and said that
was my name. We'll, said he, this is
Brother Jimmy Wood, amt it p
"This relieved me. You see he mis-
took me for brother Jim, and seeing
how it was, L humored the mistake,
though Jim is blasted sight uglier
man nor me. You see, Jim is Metho-
dist and a leader in the church, and so
is Johnson, and that's how he called me
Brother Wood And then he sat
down and talked over old times and the
camp-meeting in the hills, and l was
willing he should do most of the talk
ing.
I" L got along very well until we sat
up to supper, when Johnson called on
me to say grace. I had done many a
hard days work; had been on many a
long scout, have been in some mighty
hard fights but I tell you honestly,
boys, the hardest and hottest work
ever done was to get out that blessing in
genteel way. At bed time Brother
Johnson put the Bible on the stand,
snuffed the candle and asked me to lead
in family worship. 1 read chapter in
the book, and kneeling down offered up
the first prayer of my life, not forgetting
to pray for the restoration of the Union
and the destruction of its enemies.-
Maybe it was answered. had good
nights rest, and when 1 left in the
morning felt better than L ever felt in
my life. In fact, boys, believe it does
man good to pray little once in a
while, even if he is forced to it. I mean
to do more of 1t hereafter"
Wanted Him a Comet.
Vouno Mr. J,atahCurs vvas eittin0 on