The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-04-07
FR0N TOBIAS.

EDllOR DEMOCHAI
Let's see, where was /? I remem-
Der now. 1t appears to my returning
consciousness that somebody said some
thing about a railroad, or a tax, or
something of that kind, and that some
how or other l got mixed up in the
darn thing, and that l have been so
busy for some weeks trying to keep
from being run over by the whistle of
the engine, that haven't had time to
write you that other letter | promised
you. 1t is all right now, "the cruel
war is over" Peace has spread her
gentle wings or something of that sort
has happened, aud here | am to keep
my promise.
NOT ASHAMED OF MY NAME, JACK.
Jack Horner sometime ago wanted
to know if had grown too highfalu-
tin lately to write over my Old time
name. No, Jack, it was nothing of
the sort. AS long as the DEMOCRAT
was so small in size as it has been for
a year or two, did not write for want
of room in it's columns for 10y effu-
sions. When the paper was enlarged
| took mp my work where it was left
of. That is all there is in it, Jack -
| never expect to be ashamed to write
the name which is signed at the bot
tom of this letter, for willie l have
written much foolishness over it, |
hope that | have not and shall not
write anything vicious and know
that amongst the nonsense of twelve
years there were some things that may
serve to teach a moral, OF l have fail
ed sadly to accomplish my purpose.
A RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE.
| will take you into my confidence,
Jack, and tell yon where and how |
GOT the name. At the election in
1874, as You will doubtless remember,
to maintain the purity of the ballot
box, a company Of Federal soldiers
were sent here under the command of
a lieutenant, whose name l will not
use. He was a jolly good fellow
The hoys found this out and resolved
to capture him by kindness. A young
married man was keeping house across
the river and he was keeping Temporal
nv bachelors hall in the absence of his
wife. This was to be the prison of
that jolly lieutenant when captured.-
Captured he was, brought to the cita-
del, given a good dinner with his cap
tors, and then began the work of the
scheme to disable him, to render him
hors du combat. Tue weapons consis-
ted of sundry black bottles, much le-
mon, some sugar and tea kettle, and
the war began. The attack was gal
lantly led by D. Il. S. and ably sec
onded by a. j., who lived next door,
and A. G. L. the heavy weight cham
pion, who was temporary sojournel
in our midst. The firing was heavy
and there was sound of revelry that
night floating over the waters of old
Red such as it has but seldom heard
The attack was singly and by pla.
toons, from the right flank, left flank
and all around, and the battle waxed
fast and furious. The reserves were
called up, the pickets called in, the
bridges were burnt behind them, ant
still the battle went on. Night pass
ed, then day, night came again anc
still the noise of the battle freightet
the air of that rural village and thu
carnage was frightful to behold
Throughout the whole time of the con
flict one "prond and heroic form" stooe
unmoved, undismayed, undaunted b.
the fury of the attack, calmly smiling
at the slaughter lie had wrought, gent
~ plying the confidence that induced
the renewal of charges SO oft repulsed
Twas that of the Yankee lieutenant
as fresh as a daisy! He had not miss
ed drink. Lad told the best stories
sung the best songs, and the braves
of our best were stone, blind drunk
One of the songs he taught the boy
was something about Tobias and Ker
chunky. In honor of the magniticen
bravery and amazing capacity of tia
/ YANKEE lieutenant, as we'll as to com
memovate that gallant battle, | adopt
ed the name of Tobias. Jack, and
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