Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-12-20
COCO cRlNosToNE SOUP.
4 war Story I'm which Two Union onfcers
FIgare-After the y~ieksbarg Surrender.

The day after the surrender OF Vicks-
burg Colonel Ellridge and myself were
assigned quarters for the night in an
isolated house on the road between
yicksburg and Haiues' Bluff. We had
been skirmishing all day over the
rough Mississippi roads and were hun
cry and tired. We at once laid siege
TO the enemy's kitchen. where we were
confronted by the indignant family.
The personnel consisted of a corpulent
old lady. two pretty daughters and a
wrinkled nunty. When they realized
that we had come for supper and lodg-
ing they retired excitedIy to a corne
of the kitchen. where they held a
council of war.
Look herer' said the colonel. some
what sharply. W are hungry. Quit
your whispering and get IS something
10 eat"
The mother stepped boldly from the
rank, aud confronting the colonel, an-
nounced the melancholy fact that there
were no edibles about the premises.
Give US anything" replied the fam.
ished colonel. I'VE are not fastid-
ious.n
well. you see, sah,n replied the
lady, impressiveiy, ''tirst there were
our W soldiers; then came the Yam
KEGS yesterday, and between the two
they ate us out of house and home"
This is serious" said the colonel to
me in AN undertone, and then aloud.
Go out into the shed and bring me
an armfui of wood"
Wondering what his scheme could
be, | went out into the yard and re-
turned with "A dozen large fsggots.
The colonel heaped them upon tt ex-
piring embers on the hearth in n
corner OF the kitchen, where they 20
blazed up brightly. Then taking a
kettle to the pump, be filled it with
water and set il on the fire to boil.
What are you going to doP' asked
the old lady. G
Make sonpi" was the colonels la
comic reply. There was a small grind
Stone on the dresser. This the COL
onel laid in the kettle.
The enemy was beginning to mani
fest some interest in Il culinary
operations.
What kind oh soup am dat gwine
to bePn asked the coiored servant,
with n grin.
'Grindstoue soupr snapped the col
onel. He seized a ladle, and, lifting
the lid Oft the kettle, dipped out some
of the water aud tasted it with great
gravity.
"Hmr' he cried. addressing me,
mot yet strong enoughP Will you
please get another armfui of wood?'
| did as requested, to the consterna-
ton Of the enemy, which saw its
meager stock OF fuel burn away. After
a pause the colonel again raised the
lid to taste the mess.
Abr he said. ~smacking his lips
with satisfaction, that's something
iikel May | trouble you for a little
salt and pepper
Amid great tittering on the part of
the ladies the condiments were brought.
That's a queer way OF making
soup!' cried one of the girls, with a
smolhered giggle.
Yes; it's economical Haye you a
little flour haudyP"
After u moments hesitation the -four
was brought.
"And now a couple of onions,
please"
There are no onions. sahy" cried
the lady of the house.
Then bring In some more wood,
George; the stone is not soft yet"
was just starting to the door when
the commander stopped ME.
A.. .L.L Lls-. 49,
are some onions left" she said meekly.
Mildred. 60 and see."
Mildred, the older daughter, disap-
peared and returned after a while with
three fine onions. The colonel cut
them into bits. and with beiitting So
lemnity stirred them into the soup. |
could scarcely refrain from Laughing.
And now. ma'am. a slice of good
fat bacon II you please" said the col
onel.
This was too much for the enemy.
The old lady advanced. There was
fire In her eye.
You can't get another thing from
ust'' she shouted. You Yankees
think yvu are smart. There amt any
bacon in the house. and II there were
you wouldn't get ii"
Very WE'LL" replied the colonel
calmly. He gave me n look and l
brought In the rest of the wood.
Here's your pork" SAID the young
est daughter. angrily.
The day was won. Ten minutes
afterward there stood on the table AS
good and thick a soup as any OF us
ever tasted. The flavor of the grind
could not be detected RhitadeL
rhia Times.