The Irish standard., 1889-04-27

~0AAAA A"~~~ 10y
81 Smith, Phil Daniels and lots Of others
among you would make excellent officers"
The result was the election Of Luke Mason
for CAPTAIN, 81 Smith, First, and Phil Dan
iels, Second Lieutenant.
sI told yell would fix We all right sad
Captai1 Smart, after it was over.
'tB1t have no commission yet"
"Neither have l." answered Captain
Smart stYou are as much all officer as any
of us.''
There was soon to be a reginental organ
zation, at which only the regimentM OH
GERS were to vote, and Luke was made to
understand that Captain Smart expected a
favor in return, for the Captain was a candi-
date for the Colonelcy.
The newly-elected Captain set shout COM
pleting the organization Of his company de
himself attended to drilling them, using all
the military knowledge he poss essed, which
was very little.
In military knowledge the dull never sue"
coed. Some men served three years in the
army who never learned to keep step, while
the manual of arms was continual Chinese
puzzle. AT the end of the first hours drill,
which was by moonlight, Luke's patience
YVES almost worn threadbare. That night
their bed was the earth, and their covering
the trees, and beyond the confusion Of
chan ging guards the night passed quietly;
out they were all recruits. and at each time
the guard was relieved sufficient noise was
made TO rouse the entire camp.
Next morning, by liberal foraging, they
procured q sufficient supply of provisions.
Luke;s company WAS sent in the advance
when the march began, ana he selected a
sergeant with dozen men to go ahead, CIV
ing MIN particular instructions to recon-
noiter well and report the frst sign o. an
enemy that was seen.
They had not gone a mile before he
heard shoa, followed by two more in quick
succession. He hurried forward with all
possible speed, and when he had reached
the top Of the bill he came in full view Of 8
large, elegant farrn- house, in front Of which
waved q Confederate flag.
His advance guard stood huddled to-
gether about hundred PAGES from the
gate, at which was a beautiful young girl Of
revolver in the air..
.What's the matter?'' Captain Mason
asked.
"That ar secesh gals been y shootin' ut
us, an we suns war a-talkin' o. shootin'
backs the sergeant answered.
t:Have YOU seen any men around?"
"No"
''rheu don't fire. We are not making war
on ladies'"
ssNo, but that secesh flags got ter come
down." ......
$50 il shall, will ASH the yaung lady to
lower it,"
s'She won't do Il. / know that ar gal Il
sha1a meaner than pizeu''
sgrhat is the reason you failed to com PFC
mise matters with her." said Luke, and
ordering his men to remain where they
were, he went toward the house.
"What dc you want herep the pretty
girl demanded, her bright blue eyes fash
ing fire. There was something about her
heroic and grand to Luke, even though she
was an enemy to his country. He felt
strangely moved in her presence, and had
he not known that his heart was true to
Lille, he would nave half believed that he
had fallen in love with the pretty rebel at
first sight.
He answered.: Nothing"
s'Then go on" she cried.
81 have come to give you some advice"
81 don't want it," but the muzzle OF her
pistol was lowered, and he came up quite
close, and leaned on the gate post. eco on,
20 on, you thievin' vagabond."
'tYoun e lady, honor any person VINO de-
tends their principles. would not call a
Confederate thief unless knew he was
one"
sBut you have plenty of thieves in Lin
coin abolition army"
"You speak too truly. There are thieves
and plunderersin our own little band. was
forced to knock one down and bayonet an.
other only yesterday to save the house Of a
Southern man from being burned. But /
am not thief" Her eyes dropped, while q
faint flush swept over her pretty face.
Taking this as favorable sign Luke con-
tinued:
"lt is my determination to protect your
home from destruction. Our men, half q
thousand strong, are coming; but am
able to save your house from being burned
and yourself from insults. Will you let
me?'
eyes, she answered, family.
"rhen run down that flag, and carry it to
the house."
.sNever! I will shoot the first man who
touches it,"
tsNobody shall touch it if you win take it
down. If you don't, they will not only take