The National tribune., 1886-06-24
"REMINISCENCES
AN ARMY MULE.
DissOlVing Views of the War Photo
graphed From the Rear.
BY JOHN MELRoY.
Author Of "Andersonyille" "A File of Infantry
men, The He'd Acorn ETC., etc.
CHAPTER XVII.
IcoFYRIoHr 1851

10 you sec any DA Aapl-
son2r she asked
"N'm, ] don't jist 'skiver him w.t." replied
the young coachman. ducking his head with
unnecessary haste, for the whistling bullet
which alarmed him did not come within 80
yards Of his woolly iittle pate.
I" He certainly should have seen me coming
she said petulantly. He ought TO be able to
recognize at any distance. And even il he
did MT know me he should by all means know
the horses and the carriage
Jasmin had reached that stage In the affec-
tiOna development Of q young and pretty
woman when she resepts her lovers allowing
anything under the skies--or above them, for
that matter-taking his thoughts off her for an
instant
Everybody was too much engrossed in watch
ing for an opportunity TO pnt bullet through
any head incautiously thrust above the saw-log
batt,ements 10 heed the new arrivals
Jasmin strained her eyes peering through the
mist-laden air in search of the two men in the
opposing throngs in whom she had a supreme
interest.
Beyond the branch, where she sought her
father, she could see nothing but a most extra
ordinary assortment of old hats, which lay
along the top Of tho logs like gigantic toadstools
growing on fallen timber.
Had she been nearer she wonld have seen
that under each of these CLEANED the eyes Of
a wearer standing desperately nc bay. Every
I
curl up from one of these hats, as the man un-
der IL thought he saw a chance for good pot
shot al some too-venturesome Yank."
Every time gun on either side cracked
Mrs Sutton would give jump shrek, and beg
Jasmin TO take her back out of danger, before
they were all killed, as she was sure they would
be in another minute. As all the shots seemed
10 be fired with definite aim, and none came
near the carriage standing in the road, Jasmin
dil not feel that she was in any particular dan
ger and continued her of scrvations as calmly
as x she were in her own house.
20, there's Pa" she said at last, pointing
with her glovcd hand TO rocky knoll that
formed the highest part Of the stronghold. 81
know his hat-its a genuine Mexican SON.
brero, and the plumes in it are some that i
used to wear. / fastened them on it myself
when he left for the war. Well, he's evidently
alive and well up TO this time, for which God
be praised. Now where is Capt. Barnard?"
Her heart palpitated rs il never had before,
when she swept along the Union lines with
her great lustrOus eyes-eyes that i'm the last
few months had lost most Of their girlish
sparkle, but had gained instead deep, tender
womanliness, that was far more fascinating.
The soldiers, crouching down behind s.rmps
and logs, sometimes lying fat in the mad and
water, behind little bulwarks hastily formed
with stones and chunks, formed long, irregu-
lar line, that stretched away to the right and
man had run forward 10 the SPOT that seemed
70 aford him the best opportunity of protecting
himself while doing the most damage to the
men behind the saw-logs on the opposite bank.
Jasmin scanned the line from where IL first
came nrder her view, at a clump Of elders on
the left, 20 where its right was securely lodged
in group Of young sycamores standing on the
bank Of the saw-mill creek, but she saw no one
that resembled Barnard.
Mr.. Hirschmyer," she called.
There was no answer Mr.. Hlrschmycr being
absorbed in the consideration of scheme where
by profit might be made to inure to him from
the rebuilding and equipping of the burned
mill.
Mr.. Hirschmyer," repeated Jasmin in
higher tone.
Still no answer Mr. Hirschmyer having
satisfied himself that there was some money
in the transaction, mentally outlined a scheme
that gave showing Of about 100 per cent.
profit, and WAS now considering whom Of his
business acquaintances he would reward with
the orders for the various materials needed.
he had about decided Of whom he would order
the stones and other mill machinery, and
was now considering OF whom be would pur-
chase the nails ar builders hardware gener-
ally. Simon Cohen" ne was, sOliloqnizing,
VIII okspect me to puy of him, pRd he viii pc
vooled. He f-oze me out on daE Leggzington
! gondracd, unit must get elen mid HIM"
Mr.. Hirschmyer,' ca.lel Jasmin, an voice
! like the tone Of silver buPle.
Yes MN; 4 IN here" responded the gentle
man.
Won't you please 20 down to that man
I there lpointing TO the nearest soldier and ask
| him where his Captain isGD
Miss Jasmin, won't you blcase excuse me?"
said Isaac entrea.ingly. IL vlll do ANYTHING in
the vorldt to obiiche you, Pud really want to
live liddle longer, TO gloze up my pizzness
madders. unit pesure my pardners don't schwin-
die me out ot my share Of de brofts."
Pshaw,' said Jasmin impaticntly; don't
| be afraid. ] am sure they won't hurt you
/ Ran right down there and back You need
Mt stay minntc-only long enough 10 ask n
question and get an answer.
"OZense me, Miss Jasmin, but You don't
| know. DO You see dat White pluck hat, nit
plaek fedders in it, pehint dc saW-lot,s ofer
dcre2D
"Yes. do"
We'll, dat is on de hct Of Misaer Plukes. /
vOnce troWed some ret pepper an his etes. Do
you see a pell-croRncd hat next to h:mg"
4 "Yes.
well, dat is on de het Of Misder Popcye. ]
Eonee trowed ret bep2cr in his eyes too. re-
cocknised dem both de minute we got here, unit
dey recocknise me. too. See"
Mr. Hirschnyer pointed to two bullet holes
IN his hat
Dat shows how dey Welcome mo de first
dime dey lay eyes on my honest face. Dem
scountrcls are only Waiting for Inc to show N.Y.
selluf 10 make me 50 fall Of holes as a fishing
seine. No, you must excuse me Miss Jasmin
I don't vai { 10 rf alfays, out 1 wou dit radder
not die to-day, or for some time yeti
You are right ] don't want 10 break the
heart Of some handsome young Rebecca or Ra-
che IN Cincinnati by having you hurt. so you
stay under cover. Jifnson, can't you slip down
there somewhere and inquire for Capt Bar
nardy"
" spect SO, Missy, " said Jimson laying down
the lines. Aiggcrs 3 gittin' q be mo wuAess
ebbery day, so dat il don't make 80 much diff.
ference ef do git killed. Wy, derc s Cappen
Barnard, now"
Looking IN the direction his whip pointed
she saw Capt. Barnard appear in the gronp OF
young syctInores on the bank lie was helm.
ing others lift man up 10 the edge OF the bank,
his clothes were wet aud muddy aud he seemed
greatly iatigued. A ringing cheer arose from
the soldiers
Cap got him. that he did. He always
gets whatever he goes after" said "A boy, who
came staggering back, holding with his left
hand his right arm, which had been shattered
by shot He let his carbine which he held
with his MANNED arm against his side. slim tc
the ground with his cartridge-belt Jasinin
without a word, wrapped her handk erchie
about the wound, and then, taking a littlt
shawl from the carriage quickly and deftly
formed with it sling 10 suspend the poor fcl.
lows arm from his neck.
Get back 70 the honscs rs quickly as you
can" she said. They'll take good care of Won
there first tell ssaa xyaur =.