Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-03-14

greatest trouble was the constant de mand they made on him for castor-oil, | which they used to such an extent that he began to think it was their National beverage. The truth leaked out at last: the fellows greased their shoes with it. Many a man would have got in passion on making such discov- cry, but not so Billy. He just bided his time; and when one day, big, hullzing | fellow brought four-ounce phial to be filled, Billy was as mild as mothers milk with him. You say you have pains in the back, my man, which few doses of this oil relieves?' he asked the interesting patient. 'How1y Motherr was the reply; but it's pended double I am wid 'em.' Bill poured the rich, creamy, golden fluid into the mans bot tie, and he was just making off with his prize, when up flew the doctors hand clutching the butt of Q revolver as big as a small cannon, its glitterlng barrel pointed straight at the victims head: Not another step,' the doctor roared. Drink every drop of it on the spot, or I'll blow the roof of your head off? So Billy had no more calls for castor-oil.' A roar of laughter rewarded the nar- rator, which was checked by the nasty advent of an orderly, who said:
 "Is Lieutenant Besant here, gentle, men?"
 ''Here am," cried Frank, stepping forward. 'What is it?"
 "Major Hopkins says, will you take a file of men and Q cot to the picket by the creek bridge to fetch in a wounded officer? Quick as you can, sir, if you, please.'
 1T told you so, boys," muttered the, man who had called attention to thel doctor, while Frank hurriedly got ready for the sad duty.
 On nearing the little bridge, which spanned the muddy creek, he found Dr. Saunders lSneeling over prostrate fig ure, while soldier held lantern for him, and the sentry stood resting on his musket and gazing at the painful scene. Beside them was horse, whose hang ing head and heaving Hanks told of hard usage.
 'Who is it, doctor?" Frank asked, anxiously.
 "A cavalry mana mere lad-cut all to pieces-but we must get him into field hospital as quickly as possible. See, here's dispatch took from him. I'd hard work to get it, poor boy, he clutched it so tightly. I guess you'd better hurry off with it to the Colonel , and leave your men to help me in with him." piece of advice which Frank promptly acted on.
 As Colonel Fulton tore open the blood. stained missive his eyes flashed and the color mounted to his cheek. 'By heav' en-" he said, "this is glorious news We arc ordered to reinforce Grant at Fort Donelson. Order taps to be beaten . and all lights out in the camp; for the boys must have some sleep before they take the road again."
 l On the evening" of the 18th of Febru ary the Fighting Fourth, wearied with a long days march over swamps anc brushwood, joined the Union forces now increased to thirty thousand men
 The fort itself, occupying about one hundred acres, stood on bluff hun dred feet high, with sixty-five guns threatening approach by the river, but almost unprotected from the land side save for the inaccessible ruggedness ot the ground and the heavy trees whicf had been felled, and which proved to be formidable abatis. Already Grant haG made an unsuccessful attack upon { { battery commanding road upon whicl he was trying to move.
 But who among the thousands whC lay down to rest that night before tho | loomed fort will ever forget it's misery
 As the men lay on the bare ground without tents, without fires, many $ without even blankets, cruel storm ot sleet and snow swept over them ana Q the thermometer fell to 12 degrees