The National tribune., 1886-03-11

LEE L bR NAILS 0ROW L LII NEED EN-
Tough. came into the store and then took place
the dialog between him and ST that opens this
sketch.
ST wondered good deal what the veteran
meant about the finger nails. He did not even
know that there existed in animated nature
certain active and industrious insect which,
before he had been in the army great while.
would caGse his heart to overflow with graft
tude to benefcent Providence for providing
him with nails on his fingers.
I When the 200th left Indiana all the boys
had, of course, brand-ne outfits, right from
Uncle Sans great one-price clothing house.
Their garments were nice and clean, their faces
we'll washed, and their hair yet showed marks
of the comb. At Louisville they stuck up their
noses, with a lofty consciousness of superiority,
at the sight of Buelfs tanned and ragged
tramps, who had just come up on the gallop
from Tennessee and Northern Alabama.
If the new Hoosier regiment had been quar-
tered for a while in long barracks, or had
pitched its tents in an old camp, 81 would very
soon have learned, in the school of experience,
the delightful uses Of inger-nails. But the
2O0th stayed only single night in Louisville
and then Joined the procession that started on
the chase after the rebel army. 1t generally
camped on new ground, and under these cir
cumstances the insect to which alusion has
been made did not begin its work of devasta-
tion with that suddenness that usually marked
its attack upon soldiers entering the field. But
he never failed to get there" sooner or later,
and it was more frequently sooner than later.
One afternoon, when few days out on this
march, a regiment of Wisconsin veterans biv-
ouaclIed next to the 200th Ind. Their strange
antics, as they threw off their accouterments,
attracted Sis attention
Look a thar" he said to Shorty. "What
N the name of all the prophets IS them fellcrs
up tor"
Seems like they was scratchin' their
selves!"
Il s'pose that's on account of the dust N
sweat" said ST.
Its mighty sight worse n that!" replied
Shorty, who knew more about these things
than 81 did. q reckon we'll all be doin' like
they are fore long"
81 whisted softly to himself as he watched
the Wisconsin boys. They were hitching and
twisting their shoulders about evidently en-
joying the friction of the clothing upon their
skins. There was a general employment of
fingers and often one would be seen getting
some other fellow to scratch his back around
where he couldn't reach himself If every
body was too busy to DO this for him he would
back up to a tree and rub up and down against
the bark.
Life has few pleasures that can equal the
sensations Of delightful enjoyment produced,
in those days when graybacks were plenty by
rubbing against tree that nicely fitted the
hollow Of the back after throwing off ones
traps" at the end of days march
Directly the Wisconsin chaps began to scat
ter into the woods. ST watched them as
they got behind the trees and threw of their
blouses and shirts. He thought at first that
perhaps they were going in swimming, but
there was no stream Of water at hand large
enough to justify this theory in explanation of
their nudity. As each man sat down, spread
his nether-garment over his knees and appeared
10 be intently engaged, with eyes and fingers
Sis curiosity was very much excited
Looks IS if they wuz all mendin' up their
shirts an sewin' on buttons" said 81. "Guess
it's part o their regular drill, amt it, Shorty?"
Shorty laughed at Sis ignorant simplicity.
He knew what those veterans were doing and
he knew that ST would have to come to it, but
he didn't want TO shock his tender sensibilities
by telling him of it.
Them fellers amt sewin' on no buttons,
ST." he replied they're skirmishin'"
Skirmishin'!" exclaimed ST, opening his
eyes very wide. al haint seen any signs o.
rebs round here, m there amt any shootin'
goin' on, 'nless I've lost my hearin'. burned
if t amt the funniest skirmishin' ever hearn
tell of"
Now don't AK mo nutbin' more bout it,
ST." said Shorty. All I'm goin' to tell ye is
that the longer We live the more Yell find
things out. Let's fax round m git supper!"
little while after as Si was squatting on
the ground holding the frying pan over the
fire, he saw strange insect vaguely wandering