The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-09-03

pass, etc. He would not let me go 9TH
erwise on any condition; pushed me of
the platform. The train was moving off
Gail aboardl" The invitation was ac-
certed at once.
My plan was to get some one on the
train to pay my fare. After turn or SO
through the cars benevolent-looking
gentleman was selected. The case was
explained to him. A Federal soldier,
an invalid, with furlough from his
commanding officer, had left Rock Island
with the design of spending the Christmas
holidays with friends in Bloomington.
The misshap of missing connections was
stated. The gentleman regretted his in
ability, etc. In the meantime the forged
furlough was examined by others, who
were attracted by the conversation.
Finally one gentleman-a kindly, but
profane good Samaritan-said he would
be - if he wouldn't help soldier who
had fought for his country. This senti-
ment was echoed around, and in a few
enough for the fare.
But the end was not yet. A knot
gathered around me, and had to pass
an ordeal of questioning. I had assumed
the name of John Simpson. John and
Samuel Simpson, brothers, cousins Of
mine, had removed to Bloomington some
years before the war, and invested in
land. This is all I knew definitely of
their surroundings. These names of
real persons are fictitious here). One
man living in Bloomington asked: "In
what direction from Bloomington does
John Simpson live ?" Trusting to luck,
I answered North" This was correct.
'sHow far ?" "About a mile from the
place, I believe" Correct" stHow
far does Knox live from him ?" ssAbout
half a mile" This was also correct. He
was satisfied. Another man objected to
the fact that my pass was signed by the
Colonel in red ink, but the furlough in
black. But the most formidable objec-
ton came from member of the Fourth
Illinois. the number purported to be q
member of. "You say you belong to
Company G, Fourth Illinois ?" eyes,
sir" s'Well, I belong to that command,
and that is not the name of our Colonel,
and I don't know any such CaptainT' ''I
don t care, that's my company. Are you
cavalry or infantry ?" Infantry, the
Fourth Volunteers" .Oh! we'll, T be-
long to the Fourth Reserve" That set
tied him. The train Sped along, ques-
tions dropped off, and feigned sleep,
with ears alert for the name OF my sta
tion, Bloomington, anxious not to be
caught mapping again.
With early morning I stepped into the
house of a relative in that little city. He
had not seen me since I was child, but
he saw through my disguise, and the
boyhood friend of my father clasped me
warmly to his bosom. In few minutes
more I had shed my snake skin and was
changed into citizen, and the federal
uniform was relegated to the fire. One
of my first cares was to send to my mess
mates box of books and apples, the
federals still allowing reading matter at
least to reach them. In one of the sides
of the box hole was bored with gim-
let, and long letter detailing my adj
ventures and success, with the news of
the day, was inserted. This had been
previously agreed upon, and when the
box had reached its destination it was
split up and the letter found and eagerly
read by my fellow prisoners. Subse-
quent adventures before reaching Can
ada, it is not here necessary to describe.
Cincinnati Enquirer.