The National tribune., 1886-03-04
THAT BAKING SODA.
A Humorous Story Of Feast Had by Some OF the
Seth Ill. Bcys.

To THE EDITOR: While on the march in
pursuit of Price from Roila TO Pea Ridge, Mo-,
down the Telegraph road the main column
passed through the little town of Cassvillc.
Some OF the passing pursuerS gained access to
drug store. and appropriated (as military
necessity such contents rs their needs or iDcli-
nation suggested. One of the Sergeants of Co.
discovered package of white powder, which
he conceived to be Galeratus, and at once con-
fscated it for the use of his mess. Not being
quite sure of the chemical properties of his
find" he submitted the stuff TO Comrade Judd
who had at one time otiiciated as druggists
clerk-for his opinion. Judd pronounced it
"Soda, and no mistake That night the cav
airy encamPed on hill near Sugar Creek, and,
though tired, were jubilant over the prospect
of raised cakes" for supper, in place Of the
usual cold water "slapjacks." The fires were
soon finely blazing, the cakes mixed, and a
liberal quantity of soda" sprnkled in. 1t
was fun to cook pancakes in the army. little
-four, salt and water, good rail fire, long
handled skillet, a little sowbelly oil, and one is
ready for business. Warm the pan, pour in the
hog OIL dOusc in the batter, let il sizzle bit,
then give it shake, twitch and flop, and
over it goes-into the fire, unless you are an
artist. On this occasion the cakes were soon
cooked, and the large hearted generous Ser
geant cheerfully shared his good fortune and
feast with goodly number of his comrades and
some of the officers mess. That was delight
ful repast, heartily eaten and praised by all
One or two of the boys however, remarked the
cakes did not appear much lighter than those
made without soda" Supper over, the men
composing the mess stood around the campfire
talking over the events of the day and pros
poets of the morrow, satisfied with their sur
roundings, ana even jolly. In few moments
there was lull In the conversation; the boys
were less blithcsOme and more uncomfortable
than usual. A deathly pallor was observed in
the faces of some, which but moment before
were wreathed in smiles. SeTg't Snow was seen
retreating into the woods and Serg't White
stole silently away in another direction fol-
lowed soon after by Collins Dynan, Sherer and
the balance; and such another entertainment,
consisting entirely of vomiting, was seldom
ever gotten up on so short notice. Oh, the
"hee-ups" and the Z" hoo ups" the tears and
groans of that sick squad will very likely never
be forgotten. 1t was the event of the campaign
in the line of gastronomic achievements. 1t
was good-by to supper and to much Of the
inner mechanism Of the mortal corporosity
After a time the entertainment" like all
things else, had an end, and when the perform
ers were restored to their usual equanimity
the question was anxiouSly asked, "What made
those cakes rise at that particular time, and
what made them rise so high?" Could it be
the soda; and if so, why? A quantity of the
material was taken to Surgeon Young for ex-
animation, who kindly informed the boys they
had been raising their cakes with tartar emetic
Ever after Serg't Judd was known in his COM
pany as The Apothecary."-M G.. YARNELL
First Lieutenant Co. q, Both Ill.