The National tribune., 1889-05-02

the steamboat landing at Middle Belle PLANE,
and got all the pleasure out of life he could
single handed.
The old steamer Rockland, which came down
from Washington every night, was the only
means of communication with the outside
world
One bitterly cold and stormy day in January,
1862, Lieut. Smith went up to Gen. Franklin's
headquarters to report to his superior officer,
Lieut.-Col c. w. Tolles, Chief Quartermaster
of the grand division and when he reached
home late in the evening he rolled off his horse
stiff and half frozen, TO see that his tent was
brightly lighted up with half dozen candles
that cleaned muddily through the weather
stained canvas. lie was further surprised to
notice that a couple Of guards paced with aa
air of stern and uncompromsing responsibility
before the opening.
Now, wonder what the devil this is ;" he
growied rs he advanced. Charley! you black
scoundrel!" he shouted.
"Yessirl" answered the faithful colored
man, running out from his cook-tent. "Oh!
dab you is, Ell? De great Gawge, Lieuty, she's
come, shua ~
BY this time the guards had saluted, and the
Lieutenant had his hand on the tent-faps,
which he pulled open rudely with:
who's come, you cussed black idiot!"
"Why, me- of course dear!" and the Lieu
tenant found himself clasped in pair of lovely
WHlLS dEllS Lifd9 uISN uliu loICiDly ilitU Liic
tent at the same time that sweetly affection
ate kiss was planted precisely where it did the
most good but it was followed a second after by
shrill feminine scream.
oh you horrid man, you're not my hus-
band !"
"Alasl Pm sorry to say Pm not'!"
"Go away! Go away! You wretch! I'll tell
my husband of your brutal conduct the mo-
ment he comes J"
"Who is your husband?p
Lieut. Smith, and he is gentleman"
"Thats my name, and so am l."
:" But his name Is Lieut.. A. G., Smith,"
"Thats has been my name ever since / have
been acquainted with myself"
"And he's Post Qaartemastera at Belle Plaine"
| "That's me-"
But you're not my husband"
| "I'll swear you're not my wife,"
"Thcn where is he2"
| "Where is who?"
"Lieut. Smith"
"He is here, tell you" asserted the Lieu
tenant and then added to himself Good
| heavens, does jim jams come on this way.
| certainly never knew three small slugs of
whisky to have this kind of an effect on me
| before"
Then seeing the lady begin to cry, as she
threw herself down upon his bunk, with strong
indications of going into Mysteries, he shouted
"Oh! here now don't do that Charley! I"
y
did this thing happen anyhow"
"Afoh de Laud, she canned down on de Rock
land and de Cap'n he toted her up heah, an
he sez, Charley, heah's de Lieutenant's wife.
You take care of her till he comes home"
"You ebony idiot, don't you know that I
have no wife, and never did?"
Ise heard you say so, of cose; but den you
Charley slipped out of the tent with great
dexterity Just ahead OF the Lieutenant's boot
"Ah!'' said the Lieutenant as bright idea
struck him, what is your husband regiment
MADAME" a
| "The - New York. Oh! Whatever will
dor"
"Hurray! 1 have it! You're all right. Tn
from the - Pennsylvania. You have got
to the wrong Smith; that is all that is wrong .
"Ohl it is, eh2 Well, think that is by sew.
eral degrees too much" said the lady as she
wiped away her tears. !" Now, Lieutenant
Smith, will you please to tell me where my
Smith is and be sure he is not some other hor-
rible Smith, from somewhere else."
He is at Upper Belle Plaine."
"Well, tell him to come here at onceu
81 can do that; but whether he can get here
tonight or not is another thing"
81 don't understand; how can you talk to
him, and yet he can't get here?"
"Come with me and will try to make it all
clear to you."
They walked into the clerks tent, next door
where she was invited to sit down.
"Clark," said Smith to the chief clerk, "call
up Lieut.. Smythe at Middle Belle Plaine, and
tell him his wife is here"
"Oh DEAR" she cried, "this is awful. He
don't know anything about my coming was
going to surprise him."
"Well, think you'll doit pretty effectually
if you surprise him half as much as you did
me. Now look on this dial and you will sec
how we work the oracle. Have you got him,
Clark ?"
Yes, sir"
! Then she looked upon the dial of the rotary