The National tribune., 1890-07-03

SlAmN N' GO
An INDIGNANT BEAUTY.
can scare mp somewhere in this neighborhood
two or three roosters that'Il Just cut the hearts
outen yours without half tryin'"
Money talks" said Blake, sententiously,
spreading out his money and counting it. Put
up or shut up"
Job counted out an equivalent in greenbacks,
snd the money was deposited in Burt Connerss S
hands.
Herman and Quin were eager TO bet too but
8 wink from Job warned them not to flush the
game by displaying too much confidence.
You cal get all You want tomorrow" he
said after Blake had gone. "Co. Bill be out
in full force, aud you can pull EN- in like
suckers IN May. Keep cool aud lay for odds"
The next day we were free from all duty az
ter we came of duty at 9 o'clock. aud We looked
forward eagerly 20 the event. / say "we" be-
cause all my scruples vanished in the rising
interest, and became as excited as the rest
Only Ian remained superior TO the epidemic
SBd went on poring over his Commentaries
on the Gospels" entirely obliyiOus Of the chat
Ter we kept up in the tent.
The cock pit was prepared in a deep ravine
50 the rear OF the camp and when Herman,
Web and j reached there in advance OF the
Others we found most OF the regiment already
assembled with the Co B crowd more agra
-
more forbcaringly than usual, aud exchanged
little asides as 10 how We should make their
pride take a speedy tumble. They ali wanted
90 bet and as we had come FOR the purpose Of
taking IN their cash, not much time was wasted
in preliminaries, and pretty soon every dollar
ia the pockets Of both sides was up. Then
other things were wagered. Herman staked
bis silver watch against Blake Atwood's time
piece, and the rest Of our boys put up silk
handkeTchieis. pocketbOoks, knives gold pens,
neenschaum pipes tobacco-boKes, etc.
While this was going on Job and Quin ap-
pcared, with Cad Briggs bringing up the rear,
with tie basket containing the birds on his
arm.
business began at once by Job setting down
fine, understanding. red bird, with black
breast and white feathers on his tail and
wings.
There's Gen. Robert Anderson, of Fort Sum-
ter" he announced. Bring out your Bory-
gard and sec him get tTOunced."
haiBt cot no Gen. Borygard,' ," responded
Blake Atwood, planting down a lively brass
back with white ruff; "but here's Gen. Ma
thauiel Lyon who'll make mince- meat outen
your Gen. Anderson"
The TWO Generals" spraEg z at each other the
moment they were released, but Gen. AndeF-
son seemed strangely unsteady on his pins
lie wObbled, struck wildly, aud soon fell upon
his side. when "Gen. Lyon" drove his spur
through bis brain. Go. y made the ravine ring
with their triumphant shouts and Job looked
nearer dumbfOunded than had ever seen him.
he first deal usually goes against me-" be
said calmly; "and never did have a very high
opinion Of Gen. Anderson as a fighter. Here's
Gen. Sigel.' who'll do better" and he setdown
black red fellow. Now, my bully Dutch
man, show 'em what you can do"
Gen. Sigcl showed the same fustercd ap-
peGTauce Is the other. He was full Of fight, but
did not seem 70 have his legs and beak under
proper control. and after making wild pass
or two spun around and around, and fell for
ward, when " Gen. Fremont" whom Blake had
set down before him, ended matters by q vicious
stab 70 our champions heart.
JOB picked up the two birds with a bewild-
cred look, and after studying them for a mo-
ment without gaining any clue 10 the mystery,
tossed them cOutemptuOusly over the heads Of
the crowc into the clear space beyond.
Better save 'em for pot pie" said Blake
Atwood, while Co. yelled yOcilerouslY. Quin
doubled his fists and seemed anxious 20 run
amGck through the crowd
Les play the hand out. said Job doggedly,
taking cut Of the basket our last bird spen-
did, high -EhOuidered, bToad-breasted, back-red
teliOW-ibc same one that had excited Jobs
admiration when We approaching the Lo-
max house. Here's Gen. McClellan,' and I've
$40 more that says he can Whip anything south
Of Mason & Dizon's Line"
III cover that" responded Blake, putting
TIE money NDulGUb dc aErEld 10 put
Gen. Fremont against him, for he haint a
scratch On him yet, but I'll give Secretary
Stanton chance. de hasn't had any exer-
else to-day" lie set down an agile little brass
back, with a large head and strong bcak.
Gen. Mcclellan" blinked about IN the
came dazed way as his predecessors, and seemed
20 have difficulty in taking in the situation
Looking for line OF retreat" Wants
more supplies before he can move" Would
rather be Of TO Washington than on 10 Rich
nond," !" shouted the wits ofCO. y. Their bird did
not waste any time IN preliminaries, but few at
ours as IL lie was the one he had long been look
ing for. Gen. Mcclellan" rallied his scattered
senses, and pat IN some very effective blows, 20
that our hopes began 10 rally, but the fight
soon ended as the previous ones had, with our
bird dead on the ground.
The delight Of the Co. fellows knew no
bounds, and even cur boys, who were smartiug
under the loss Of their money and personal
effects. joined in making sarcastic speeches
abOut those awfuily smart Blue jays" as we
filed sadly back 20 our tent.
"QuiB, them birds was dozed." said Job, as
we stood gloOmily around the fire.
" job they certainly Euz" sOlemnly re-
Eponded Quin.
" Dey yass surely pizened." echoed Herman.
" Bot howf" queried Job,
'That just bates the diEil," asserted Quin.
F" I'd gif anudder silfer watch 10 fnt out"
nuttered Herman.
Cad Briggs" said Job suddenly, "did You
do a. ] told you, and keep them birds under
your eye every m.Bnteg"
" Yes did," answered Cad promptly.
Every minute-yOu're sure7"
81 Every minuts." !" affirmed Cad, Z" "except--D
Except When1" rOared Job and 0nin
caught Cad 80 hard by the arm that thought
his big eyes would pop out.
Except while run over to the chaplain's
30 see If there'd any letters come for us1
bgfie esrbf In ffxyfla (En u H.. "a St
grOaned Quin. But how the diYil did they do
itfI
"Pl find that out or III have spell o. brain
fever" vowed Job.
had picked up the basket, and was idly
looking at it. There was some sheIIed corn in
the bottom, and / picked up few grains /
Children CRY foT