Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-03-16

bLetb ntlSh O1 COTu-"OOu hcTO an we'll knock the old thing into kind ling-wood," Ridley cried.
 It was a favorite means of letting peo- pie know they were honoring them with a call; for the soldier-boys did not carry visiting-cards, and were as impervious to ''not-at-homes" as duck is to damp feet.
 Already two men stood swinging tic formidable battering-ram, which, in another instant, would have crashed into the massive door, when it opened, and they saw standing before them a pleasant-looking lady of middle age with a baby in her arms-such a picture of domestic innocence, that the rough lads sheepishly dropped the cord-wood, and looked like school boys caught in some piece of mischief.
 "Come right in, gentlemen" she said, free from all embarrassment; "we've sickness in the house or I would have come to the door at your first summons. ,.
 The men piled into the front room with little ceremony.
 Frank was as bashful as a school boy.
 "I'm sorry to intrude, ma'am, " he said, blushing scarlet; but we must search your house for arms and supplies-a disagreeable duty, which we'll make as easy as we can for you.''
 II wish the minister had been at home," the lady muttered, pensively, in a kind of ''aside," that was intended to be heard by everybody.
 "A parsons house, Jack," said one of the men to another. "I feel kind of mean and wish I was out of it.''
 But others were of a rougher nature, and had already begun to explore the contents of an adjoining room, when the mother drew aside a handkerchief from the baby's face and revealed great scarlet blot covering the little ones forehead and check. Holding the in fant up to Franks gaze while the rest stood staring in astonishment she said, with fearful eyes:
 You see my darling has caught it now. Do you know any thing of sur gerry? Can you tell me what to do, for am indeed distracted, and know not which way to turn for help? The four others are much worse, and my poor husband looked awfully sick when he left home this morning to try and get medical aid. It's enough to craze one, isn't it?''
 Frank stood helplessly gazing at the babe.
 "Here, Black, you're a family man; p'r'aps you can tell the lady what to do," Ridley said pushing forward the veriest rough of all the party.
 ''Oh, sir, if you could!' the mother pleaded, offering him the child.
 Lord, mum! I don't know nothin' about babies. What do yer think be the matter with imp" He pol1ed his big finger caressingly on the child's cheek as he spoke, for the sight of baby always touches tender spot in soldiers heart, no matter how rough he be.
 Why" the woman said, tits small poX! One of them died a week ago; there's four of them down with 1t up- stairs, and-oh, good, kind gentlemen, don't go; don't leave a poor lone wom- an like"
 But the rest of her sentence was never heard. Had a regiment of Con- federates charged upon them it couldn't have cleared the house in quicker time than that poor woman's words. Helter- sllelter over hedge and ditch, they never stopped till panting and breath less they reached the country lane.
 ''We've been an gone an done it." gasped Black, as soon as he could find breath to speak. shouldn't wonder if we're took before night. Who knows what the sym'toms be?"
 "Intense thirst-dryness of tongue-' Frank began, for he had partly got over his scare, and was indulging in a little fun at the big fellows expense.
 That's me all over," Black groaned. My threats dry as dodgasted lime kiln"
 "Besides Black touched the baby; seed him do it. He's sure to be took first" cried another Jobs comforter
 An you stripped the covers from them pliers in the bedroom" Black re- taliated. An you've got 'em in your pocket now-blame me, if yer ain't."
 This pointed remark led to half a dozen pockets being emptied on the roadside, where lay quite little pile of mementos of their visit the men had been able to stow away in the brief time allotted them.
 ''Say, Cap," said Black to Frank, 'there's them oranges an thet bottle O wine we footed from thet big white house. I feel kind O sorry fur thet poor woman, so don't yer think we might leave 'em fur her?"
 You are a good fellow, Black, to
 
 think of it, and I'll be hanged if we don't do it, was the quick response; so, carefully laying these luXuries at the, garden-gate, they hastened with all speed back to camp.
 Dr. Saunders was much discomposed, when he heard Franks story, which he did as soon as they had reached their quarters; for the young officer well ap- preciated the danger of the fell disease in the vicinity of the army.
 II will go at once," this energetic son of Galen said, land satisfy myself about it. Why, sir, it will be ruin, if we can not check it-worse than dozen armies in our rear. Say nothing about it till return, and caution your fellows to silence; for talking about these things creates an alarm which predis+ poses the men to infection"
 Frank promised discretion, and the doctor roda away On his sanitary ar.