The National tribune., 1886-02-04

stand little pipe o terbacker like that. You'll
get over it purity soon, and it won't bother ye
any next time We try it,"
ST found that he had on hand about as much
as he could manage with his dizzy head and
the rebellion that was so actively going on at a
point little lower in his physical system. The
feeling wore gradually off, however, and by the
time he was able to walk their clothes were
well dried. They proceeded to dress up and
then returned to camp.
During the afternoon the camp was visited
by natives, black and white, from the region
round about, with corn "pones," alleged pies,
boiled eggs, and truck of various kinds, which
they sought to dispose of for valuable con-
sideration. They struck bad crowd how
ever, in a financial sense. The members of the
200th Ind. were not at this time in a condition
of opuence. Most of them had spent what
money they brought from home, and they had
not been out long enough yet TO receive visit
from the Paymaster. The lank men and
scrawny women cried their wares vociferously,
but with Indifferent results. The boys wanted
the stuff, but they were busted" and trade
was dull.
81 looked wistfully at the "pies," and sug-
gestcd to Shorty joint investment Their
purses were nearly empty, but the temptation
was too strong TO be resisted
Them looks NICE" said 81. They were the
first pies he had seen since leaving home, and
HIS ,JuuSlHSit Was 81 lIttiG Ous <tS 81 tuNtici
of fact it was only by the greatest stretch of
courtesy that they could be called pies at all.
But the word touched ST in a tender spot, and
he only thought of such as his mother used to
make.
81 aud Shorty" pooled in +" and bought pie.
Impatiently whipping out his pocket knife 81
tried to cut it in two. 1t was hard work, for
the "crust so called-was as tough as the
hide of mule. BY their united efforts they
at length succeeded in saving it asunder 1t
was q fearful and wonderful specimen of culi-
nary effort. 1t was made of two slabs of sodden,
leathery dough, with a very feeble layer of
stewed apple sandwiched between them.
81 tried his teeth on the pie, but it was like
trying TO chew an old bootleg.
Il say, old lady," said he, turning to the
female of whom he had bought It, " is these
pies pegged or sewed?"
Look hyar, young feller," said the woman,
with considerable vinegar in her tone, p'raps
yOu-uns-all thinks it's right smart TO insult We
uns; it shows how yer wuz broughten up. /
don't low yer ever seed any nicer dog gOned
pies n them is. Ye needn't try ter argify long
'th me, fur l kin jest knock the spots off'n any
woman there is round here in cOOkin'."
81 saw that il would be prOiitless to discuss
the matter, and concluded to make the best of
a bad bargain. But he couldn't eat the pie.
On the whole the hucksters Jared rather
badly. The boys confscated most of the stuff
inab was pTOuEhb III, promising 10 pay HeXG
time they came that way. There was good
deal of Srumbling, but the trouble always
ended in the soldiers getting the plumber.
The climax was reached when putty-faced
citizen drove into camp hony mule, tied with
straps and ropes and strings TO crazy cart. on
which was barrel of cider, which he "al-
lowed" to sell out 10 the boys at 10 cents a
drink, or quarter canteen full. He had a
spigot rigged up in one end, and an old tin cup,
with which he dealt out the seductive beverage
to such as would buy.
A thirsty crowd gathered around him, but
sales were slow, on account of the scarcity of
money. 81 and Shorty mingled with the boys,
and then drew aside and engaged III whis-
pered consultation.
"That'll be jest bully." said Shorty off
you can raise an anger somewhere we'll git the
bulge on that old chap"
81 returned after a brief absence, with an
auger which he had borrowed from the driver
OF an ammunition wagon.
Now, Shorty" said 81, you git the boys to
Stand around and keep up a racket and I'll
crawl under that cart and bore a hole into that
ere barrel. Then pass in yer canteens and
camp kettles n wen show the old man q
trick!
Shorty quietly broached the scheme TO few
of his comrades, who fell in with it at once.
Gathering around the cart they cheered and
chartered so as to drown any noise ST might
would give 1T away"
1t was not more than minute till gurg-
ling sound was heard, and ST began to pass out
TO the boys the buckets and canteens, which
they so freely furnished. him, filed with the
tast-hOwing contents of the barrel. 1t didn't
take long to empty it entirely nor did the citi-
zen discover the state of affairs until the cider
no longer ran from the spigot
He had not sold more than a gallon or two,
and he was amazed when the liquid ceased to
respond. Then he resolved himself into an
investigating committee, and after protractcd
search he discovered the trick that had been
played on him.
Wall, I'll be gosh -durnedi" he exclaimed,
i've hearn tell 'hout Yankee tricks but dog
my cats il this ERE don't beat em ALL I'd like to
cut the gizzard outen the rascal that bored the
hole in that bari."
declare, old pard, that ,nas mean !" said 81.
who stood looking on, with his hands in his
trousers pockets the very picture of innocence.
" Pm jist goin' TO flax round N help ye find
that feler. If was you I'd pound the stutIin'
out of him-when ye cOtch him!"