The National tribune., 1886-03-04

wringing their hands, their eyes flashing fire
while the small-fry stood around and sobhed
with vague idea that some dire calamity had
befallen them.
The old Kentuckia ldeclared that he was a
Union man." and that he would demand OF
the Government full revenge for this outrage
1t was noticed that there were no young men
around as there should be, according to the
economy of nature, to preserve the balance
of sex in so large family. The officer in com.
mand asked him where all his sons were.
"Wall, KANT tell yer 'zactly mhar they is, ,
was the reply. They amt to hum jest now
l low they've got right to g'way eff they
want teri"
The officer had been Informed that there were
several representatives of the Scroggs family
in the rebel army The old mans avowal OF
loyalty was taken for what it was worth. That
it was not rated at high figure was well
attested by the appearance of the plantation a
few hours later.
Meanwhile the soldiers kept right along in
the duty assigned them. The: corn house was
surrounded by wagons, the roof was gently
! lifted off. and in scarcely more time than il
takes to tell the story or eight of the wagons
| were heaped with the contents. The mules
wagged their ears and braycd in anticipation
of the picnic they would have when they got
back TO camp.
Then the force moved some distance and
ditdCkGu q ldTSe Of obdUutuS cOrn lie
stalks had been "topped," but the ears were
yet ungathered The iaen started in between
the rows and swept through that field like a
cyclone, pluckiBg the ears right and left Bags
baskets and boxes were pressed into the serv-
ice. and as there were / { enough of these to go
| round many bore the Drn to the wagons by
armfuls. 1t did not ia e more than two or
three hours to strip every ear from the field
A visitation of overgroWn Kansas grasshoppers
could not have done a pore thorough job
"'Fo' de Lawd, boss, said an old darkey who
had been roosting on the fence watching the
spoilers, 81 nebber sees de crap gaddered so
quick since Ise bawn. iou-uns all is powerful
smart dat's shuah! !"
But where were Corporal Klegg and his COM
rade Shorty, while all this was going on?
They had been stationed as sentinels near a
house, half mile beyond, on the pike. They
were cautioned to keep sharp lookout and
for time they obeycd their instructions to the
letter. Their vigiant eyes swept the surround
ing country, and no rebel could have crept up
on them without getting pair of bullets from
their ready muskets They saw no signs of an
enemy, and after while 1t began to grow mo-
notOnOuS.
Shorty" said 81, "I don't blieve there's
any seceshers in these parts, an there ant any
use n us both keepin' this thing up. You jest
watch out awhile N II. skin around IN see
what kin find"
Shorty agreed to this, taking it as an order
from his superior officer. ST threw his gun up
to fright shoulder shift" and started of,
after again urging upon hiS companion the i'm
portance of attending strictly to business.
81 had not gone far till he saw, penned in a
corner Of the barnyard, n cow with full I'D
der from which frisky young calf was busily
engaged i'll pumping nourishmcnt A violent
feeling of envy toward that calf began imme-
diately to rage in the breast of 81. He had not
had draught of fresh milk since he left home,
and he felt that little refreshment of that
kind would be particularly gratifying to his
! interior organism. 1t would strengthen him
and give him new courage to stand up to the
rack if they should happ n to get into a fight.
81 say, Shorty" he called, "cummere q
minnit quick"
Sis conscience smote him for calling Shorty
from his duty and leaving the post unguarded
but the temptation WAS too strong for him to
resist, and he yielded to the impulse to take
the chances. Shorty came on the run, with
eyes wide open. thinking his comrade had dis
covered some rebels hanging around.
Look there" said ST. pointing to the ma
ternal scene that has been alluded to- Lets
have some o that. Well git over the fence m
you jest hold the calf while / milk our canteens
full. "rwont take more'n jitfy!"
ave ortn't to leave the post, had we?" sug-
gested Shorty.
"Oh, there aint no danger" ST replied; "an'
besides, you kin keep lookin' cut while you're
hangin' On to the calf l was alters a good
mixer, m I'll fill up these canteens in couple
O. minnits."
So they climbed over and leaned their mus
kets against tho fence. Shorty seized the calf