The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1892-11-18

Perhaps | WAS also looking shade better \
in the face than when we first met, for |
was quite well now.
A dozen thoughts had passed through +,
my mind in rapid succession 1t occurred !
to me that some one had n.armed on me,
and that the fellow had w. amt for my
arrest on charge of larceny Myl What
could l have done9 But l recollected at
once that there was no civil law; no courts
then, none except those of the drumhead
and | could defy the man there.
But the party seemed to be unusually
amiable and polite, and l felt at once that
he did not recognize me and that l was a
person against whom he could not possibly
have aught. but that was one whose grace
and service he was about to propitiate. He
wanted my friendship at once. Perhaps
he was like that Dutchman who, not know
ing into whose hands he was likely to fall
in the great Judgment, was as ready to say
Good Devil' as "Good Lord"-he wanted
to be sure of friendly reminder in any
event.
There were the usual salutations and in
quiries about news, etc, followed by cor
dial invitation on my part for the gentle
man to dismount and allow the servant
Jack to care for his horse.
NO." he says, II am hunting something
20 eat. Can you tell me where l can find
it? You seem to be we'll fed here"
confess that the closing reflection was
somethin of "stunner"-though it could
not possibly have reference-could it? to
the meal or the hot water and sorghum
"sweeting" which had swallowed at his
house? The vexing problem few across
my brain rasidly but said
Every good, Dismount and have stool
with u.s. We will have some cornbread
and sorghum soon. Hurry up the coffee,
Jackp' had mildly strung out all this in
single breath, not giving the stranger
time for his amiable protest, which came
Immediately after.
"Oh, hellol That's not what Pm after.
Excuse us. I'm running hotel at - Il
won't now tell on HIM, and I've run out
of supplies, and have come down here in
the nope OF nndng an Egypt where can
get something for you folks to eat when
you pass"-
But | modestly interposed with a desire
to correct him, for he was treading on
corny ground. Excuse me, my FRIEND"
/ said again, "but never had the pleasure
of eating at your board" Though l had
drunk there. This latter information for
him / was holding in reserve for the OPP
perfume moment.
"Have you not? Why, thought recog-
nized your face"
"Good Lordp' thought l, "does he know
me sure enough? And do l still look like
thief" The fellow was certainly making
things warm in my brain, but didn't care
a cent, for was now on my own ground,
at least was in front of my own tent, and
knew that had more friends there than
he could muster, for Jack, the cook, was
on hand. He was my friend, and he con-
stituted the majority But the mans face
betrayed not the least sign of malicious
motive, and thought saw a clear coast,
as the fellow anxiously added:
"Can you tell me where l can find some
thing for my table-chicken eggs, meal,
wheat, potatoes-anything in the world to
feed the starving soldiers on as they pass?
The gentleman appeared just then very
solicitous about starving peoples for a
grab game at his table But l insisted on
his getting off his horse and dining with
me. told him | could give him some
thing that wouldn't make him sick; but
it appears that he didn't take the hint
called Jack and had the strangers horse
cared for. | then invited the gentleman
into my tent where could offer him good
water and clean towels-things not al
ways visible at a Confederate hotel.
actually had a comb, which was also
rarity in those days; and, really marvellous
to relate, there was in my tent genuine
mirror-a real good looking glass-iI
front of which | sometimes stood, not
however, with that constancy charged
upon the great man whose name | bear il
baptism, and of whom it is said that tn
only place ever worn away in the carpet o
his private chamber was in front of tn
mirror The Brussels cut through by hi
heel-the heel of Martin Van Buren-a
he turned in the delightful inspection o
his own august person. But
Bidding the guest to make himself a
ease / excused myself and retired for me
ment-called up Jack and whispered t
, him that wanted the very best dinner h
could get. Furthermore, l told him W
must have made some genuine coffee, AM
that when he served the beverage he mus
give to the stranger the new white cup an
saucer, we'll and appropriately filled. "A
right" said Jack, with knowing all
though he did not know all things connect
ed with that cups history; my messmat
did, however. (But about Jack and hi
knowledge | will tell you later
" Jack thought he was getting dinner tina
, day for the governor, a bishop, or som
other grandee, and so he spread himself
: He had the best and most sumptuous dir
> ner ever had in camp. He placed tn
7 white coffee cup, filled as directed, at tn
= side of our guest-an act which Jack pc
= formed with a gusto that had prophec
: and suggestiveness in its grandeur. NJ.
!, self and comrade, the quartermaster
;. clerk, compromised on tin cups.
2 1 imagined the fellow looked very il
quiringly at that cup 1t was a larg
- white granite vessel, with handle, and