The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-04-22
100 Doses Cne Dollar
Gentleman alongside of the average denizen of

gentleman alongside oil the average deniZen OF
the camp.
The Kunnel and the Majal occupied rude
log-cabin in the center of the camp. 1t had
been hastily and clunlsily put up, by men who
worked unwiilingly as lab0rers, and was, IS the
kunnel expressed it, mot so good or comfort
able as the poorest cawn-crib on SourmaSh
Place" The spaces between the logs had not
been "chunked and daubcd," as the phrase is
for this rude masonry, and the only obstacle to
the wind and the rain coming through the
openings were the saddle blankets and coats
hung up against the wall. AS these had to be
taken down on cold nights to add to the bed
clothes, the headquarters were as exposed to
the weather elements as the inside of hay
rack.
One end of the cabin was occupied by big
fireplace, which ran up into chimney made of
sticks built on each other, playhouse fashion,
and covered inside and out with thick "daub-
ing" of clay. A headless and bottomless
whisky barrel stood on the top Of this erection,
and completed the chimney. In one corner of
the room was the Kunnels bed, which was
made by driving forked stick into the ground
the proper distance from each wall, laying on
this stout poles the other ends of which rested
on the logs of the walls, and then On these
boards split from the pine logs A pile of
leaves did duty for a bed-tick, and the Kunnel
sought such repose on top as q more or less
clear conscience and the twinges of rheuma-
tism would allow him. In another corner of
the room was o similar couch for the Majah,
and in the center was rude table, con-
structed in the same primitive way, with
forked sticks driven in the ground, poles, and
split boards, which did duty as a desk, card
table, and dining table.
Moral depression that could be felt by the
hand enveloped the Kunnel and the Maiah
The ordering of the former to Postum Shout
had been intended by his superior officers as
Ii 81, l. i
this. Inundated aud sad tho kunnel and his
faithful Majah found what comfort they could
in the customary solace Of their country-hard
drink-and certainly 10 harder drink than
the new whisky which was all that was within
reach Of Postum Shout ever cracked Ken
lucky gentleman's throat
Making a steady drink of this Internal
white-face," said the Majah, one day, as he set
down his glass and wiped the unbidden tears
from his blearcd eyes, "degrades gentleman's
whole nature-iudeed it does, sah-until he
feels ready to suck aiggs and rob the clothes
line O. the family wash. i shant feel any re-
spect fo' myself until I've thoroughly reno
waited my system with cose O. hand made,
fre-distiled souah- mash. 1 tell yo' that fo'
the truth, sab"
At last, after what seems now an eternity,
the Winter wept itself away through dreary
showers into the chill discomfort of early
Spring.
1t was the Kunnel's custom to spend much
Of the time during what lucid intervals of
sunshine we had, on stump on the point of
the mountain, gazing abstractedly Off into
Central Kentucky in the presumed direction of
Sourmash Place. Ioverheard him soliioquizng
occasionally, when he was sure there was no
human being within earshot, after this fashion,
"The conviction foces itself upon me that
this wah IS nothing mon an ill-starred device
for bringing the greatest amount o misery to
oil al - 49,,
ness as cveh man could be sick of anything
Fo' the life o me can't see which I'm to be
benefited If Jefferson Davis and his associates
get everything they're fighting TO-, while run
the risk O. being totally ruined, if amt
already. Nobody but fool sits into game
which he stands to lose everything and gain
nothing; but that's just what it seems to me
I've gone and done. If 1 could see some honor
able way O. getting ont O. the scrape wouldn't
let any grass grow undeh my feet until did
it. l wouln't, TO fact"
His seat commanded an excellent view of
long stretch of the road winding up the noun
tain side from the lower country. One after
noon l saw him suddenly straighten up and
scan something on the road with eager interest
"Majah, come heah, please" he called out
The Majah, whose activity was being sadly
undermined by the exposure and the cumu-
lative effects of bad whisky, waddled painfully
over to his chief.
DO you recognize that hose coming oveh
the point down theh, sah?"
The Majah studied the animals form and
motion 5ery attentively for few seconds, and
replied:
sat this distance, sab, that resembles Miss
Jasmin's Penelope as much as any hose
even saw"
$50 1 thought" said the Kunnel excitedly. |
Can you tell who's riding herr"
" 1t looks good deal like Crit Gannaway, |
but neveh saw Crit sit his hose quite that-a-
way. Maybe he's been sick!"
The Kunnel was reused to something like his |
old activity. He called to Jimson to saddle |
Dan Boone and bring him out Immediately, |
and when this was done in very short order |
the Kunnel mounted as quickly as his stiffened |
limbs would permit, and went galloping down |
the mountain side to meet the newcomer.
The news spread through the camp, and the |
men ceased their languid card playing with |
greasy decks and the nearly as languid QUOT |
pitching to watch for the arrival.
After little while the Kunnel reappeared |
around the turn in the road riding alongside of |
Crittenden Gannaway, who showed by reduc-
lion OF his usual grace and power in the saddle
how much he was suffering from his wounds
He raised his hat and bowed in acknowledge
ment OF the cheer with which the men greeted |