The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-31

| turbid waters, on the flank one of those clear
creeks so inviting in the hot sun of Virginia
| July. Upon the hank of that creek, shaded by
| trees the Sutler had erected his tent, but from
| repeated marches to the front and the rear. the
stock Of merchandise most priced by the patri-
| otto volunteer was depleted. So after visiting
! Gen. Ricketts,. commanding the division. the
| Sutler deemed it safe to return to Washington
| for supplies. As he was leaving the camp
| said Major, do not fail to bring back with
| you some apples. / have dreamed OF the or
| chards in the Genesee Valley; and no matter
| for the expense let us have some" He said no
would do his best. In = few days he returned
with his wagon loaded with choice supplies.
was Officer of the Day when the wagon camo
into camp and / saw the barrels on it. l said
to the Major (all Suffers bore that rans) ::
"What are in those barrels?" "Apples," said
he. Grown within 20 miles of Rochester;
but i tell you they cost a big price. L pur-
chased them for the officers; not enough OF
them for a promiscuous SALE"
"Ali right; as soon as you are unloaded we will
be down." l notified the Colonel and other
officers.
There had been an alarm on the picket-line,
which we ascertained was of no moment, so it
was perhaps not an hour until quite number
of the officers leisurely wendell their way to
the Suffers tent to purchase few OF the APP
pies grown so near our homes. Sure enough,
resting upon the bank of tho creek we're the
barrels of apples the original marks on them,
fresh from the peaceful valley of the Genesee.
The Colonel said Il am half ashamed to pre-
cmpt these apples; how the boys would relish
them" But the answer was, " Not enough for
bite for the regiment" Hello! Blackall,
why do you not open up those barrels3 Hurry
up" We'll" he said, 8" thought / would
wait until you came" Have them open in
minute"
How our mouths did water; many day
had passed since apple had passed our lips
The Suffers assistant, Ratchet in hand. pro-
ceeded to open the barrels, but at the first tap
there was hollow sound; the first blow OF
the Ratchet let out the secret. They had been
unloaded on the bank of the creek. 1t was
considerably higher than the water, and Stu
ated on curve, so that the water had exca-
waited the ground, leaving an ovcrhanging
bank. Someone had cut tho soil to the bot
tom of each barrel, then bored hole in them
large enough to let the apples out. There were
some long faces The Colonel said to
Captain, yon will arrest the men who com
mitted this theft. BY the gods, | will make
those sour apples to them" But there was no
clew; not peel or a seed to show that an APP
pie had ever been in camp.
Alta Reunion three years ago at Utica, n. Y,
asked if any one of those present knew how
those apples were stolen An old gray haired
man rose. Captain, those apples were the best
that ever ate. can taste them yet. Your
CO. & stole them. While all of you were at
the COlone's tent, we let them out at the bot.
tom. They fell in the stream under the bank.
The current was rapid, and the men fished
them ont as they floated round the bend. There
wero six Of rs. but they have all answered the
last rol.call but me. But those apples wore
good. "-SHURLY, Co. c, 26th n. I.