The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1892-01-13

81 WAS PINNED TO THE EARTH
pinned to tho earth. while the remnant
of my gallant boys dashed beyond the
reach Of the foe.
"By Heayensl that was fine, and Pm
almost sorry you didn't make itl''
With the feeling of man rudely
aroused from sleep looked up and saw
o long-haired, black-bearded man bend
ing over me, while half dozen men In
faded gray uniforms were rolling off the
dead horse that held me to the earth.
The man who had spoken helped me
to my feet, and then, with feeling of
awful humiliation, 1 slipped the knot
from my wrist and let my sword fall to
the ground. and wondered why some
of the men crowding about mo did not
pick tho blade up, but 1t raniainesl nm
touched while was there.
"Wa'al, Cap'n Watts, you did yer level
best. but yer played losing game. said
the long-haired man, as he led me to
rock and forced me to sit down.
''How do you know my name?" l
asked.
"Wa'al, that's tellin'; but we came
over har to gobble you; sorry the crowd
didn't stick by you, but that's just like
soiers, said the longsha&scd man, with
low laugh.
"Who are your" I demanded.
"Only Jones; jist Cap'n Jones, of tho
Eighth Texas" said the Confederate.
"And you will parole me?"
The man shook his head till the long
black hair seemed to stand on end, then
he said, slowly and solemniy:
eve can't do 1t; thar amt any more
parolin' or exchangin', more's the pity
for US. You've got to go through and
board at our hotel bit"
"Libby?"
,sYes.''
"Well," said, with an effort at laugh
ter, "Pll find lots Of good men there
$50 you will. Cap'n; but would you
let me ak you few questions?v
"Go on" replied.
"You wear new boots?'
EYES," f
what size?''
Flights, but size too large" said.
''rhat's q most providential coinci-
dence," said Captain Jones, of the
Eighth Texas. 81 wear that size my.
self"
sIndeed?"
"Yes, indeedy; and ye'd better git up
afore Wharton comes along, for he's
nigh barefoot, and that's his size,
too. Now, old Teller, I'm not gwin' to
rob you Of your boots, but I'm 'bliged TO
have 'em, and I'll pay you thar full price.
Let me bootjack you"
Before could ask for an explanation
Captain Jones backed up, seized my feet
alternately between his thighs and
jerked off my boots, and with equal ra-
pidity he threw off his own worn foot
gear and assumed mine.
''You kinder think I'm goin' through
you bad" said Jones, looking down at
his feet with an expression of great sat
isfaction.
"You are playing the part of robber
without any risk" said.
"See har, Captain Watts, I amt no
damn thief l need these and other
things. so I took 'em. If l didn't every
internal home-guard from here to Rich
mond would go through you. Tell me
the price OF your boots, pants and over
coat, as we'll as any greenbacks you've
got about you, and I'll make a clean
swap for Confed. greenbacks."
/ subsequently learned that Jones was
the champion poker-player Of Wheeler's
Cavalry Corps, and this accounted for
the largo amount OF money he had stuck
in his pockets, and even in the lining Of
his clothes.
He pulled out great wads OF bills and
said:
PAY yourself, ole Teller, and don't ba
too Did bashful, but then you're q
Yank and thar amt no use giving you
any advice. It's too bad that mar got
plunked; she was beauty" Ho COM
pressed his lips and nodded at my dead
thoroughbred.
Without counting the money, ! took
bunch Of the gray and blue backs
Jones handed me, and said contemptu-
ously:
81 may find this stuff useful, Captain,
but 1t isn't very pretty"
''Waal," shouted Jones, as he stuck
the remainder Of the wad into his breast
pocket. "I'll allow the money ain't
purity, but the man that despises 1t is
fool. Let me give you bit OF advice,
my son, for you're goin' to be with US
some time. Paper is mighty valuable In
the Confederacy, and when ever you come
acrost piece that's got the pectur Of q
locomotive or o woman onto ft--them's