Nevada County picayune., 1890-09-04
A WAR STORY.

 with Colonel Dick Wintersmith, Colonel Cunningham, of Louisville, Hon. Asher G. Caruth and other dls- tinguiShed corncrackeTs. A member of Congress was introuced to the General : The Representative saw a slight gentleman, shaped like a pipe stem, with flashing eyes, and head and beard barely streaked with sil- yer. His head was crowned with a bright straw hat, witha rim about an inch wide. There vas 8 broad white ribboa around his hat. The Con grcssnan remarked than in physique General Duke hardly filled his ideal. Il fancied," said he, from what 1 had read. that Basil Duke was at least six feet tall, and as broad shouldcred as the late Senator Beck. '
 At this General Duke smiled. It reminded him of story of the war. He speaks with great eXactness and rapidity. The best stenographer would find it hard work to take him down.'i He said that the Congress man was not the first man who had been disappointed in his personal ap- pearance.
 When Burbridge made hls last raid i'll Kentucky" said Gen. Duke, s'my command was quite active. While l was i'd camp one morning an old mounjaineer walked into my tent. He was six feet tall and as thin as shadow. He had sharp gray eyes wilh shaggy brows, and a beak like an eagle. He carr,ed a long barreled rifle and was a,rayed from head to foot in buckskin. To tell the truth, he looked like a hicllo- " rammer in buckskin sheath. The weather was quite cold. With out saving a word, he sat down in front of the fire. He made such an impression upon mc that l can see him at this moment just as clearly as l saw him then. He gazed at the |
 l blaze for minute or more, wiped q l bead from his nose with the back of his had, and then glanced at me. l thought that the boys had been ap- i propriating one of his horses. and l that he had come to seek satisfaction. The Confectionery needed horses just then. We were like St. Paul-in want of all things, l was cogitaling as to what was best to do. l wanted, if possible, to satisfy him and yet keep the horse. He was evidently q man of few words and of action. He sat gazing into the fire some time longer, cast another glance in my direction, empticd his mouth of to- bacco juice, and then said:
 ''"Ths is Gen. Duke's headquar- ter's, l take it?
 Yes, sir, l replied, it is.
 "IIc clasped his hands over his knee, fastened his eye, on me, and after q full scrutiny, said; Well, sonny, reckon the Gincr'l must be at breakfast just now, hain't he|
 His coolncss unneryed me was rattlcd. There was no doubt of 1 his honesty He had taken me for an orderly. He seemed so positive that, for the world, l would not have had him know that l was Gen Duke ] firmly replied; Yes, sir, the old l General is in at breakfast. I'll go and call him for you.
 I went into an adjoining tent, where Gen. Davis, my adjutant, sat. ihc General was the pcrsonllcation | of dignity. He had q bald head, a massive face, q grizzed mustache, ] broad shoulders and a naughty bear ing, asked him to represent him- self to the old man as General Duke, and hear his complaint. At first he demurred. but finally consented. He was gone some minutes. Upon his return he asked me why l had urged him to play his role, Hedging him { to secrecy l told him all the circum- stances. General Davis was man of honor. He undoubtedly kept his pledge. But the next day when 1 mounted and lode 10 the head of my brigade, ever" man in il shouted
 Well, sonny, l reckon the old . Giner' IS in at breakfast 1ist now, hain't he; "'
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 An "A Iul Experience. The fOllowiup story of n hpntniug