The Forrest City times., 1893-10-06
FORREST CITY, ARK, FRIDAY AFTERNOON OCTOBER G. 1ss

The armament of the battalion was in the hands, or rather under the feet, of the bull. l reached for my sword only to find it also missing
 The bull took his stand under the tree. The afternoon stretched out into an interminab!e expanse of time. My persimmop branch became intensely uncomfortable; but still the bull kept watch for us. By and by a thunder storm arose and made matters much worse.
 Accompanied by blinding flashes of lightning that seemed to play around our very heads, and deafening thunder peals, the rain fell in such torrents that we could scarcely breathe. As the horsehair helmets had been abandoned gaping collars till we were soaked through and through.
 Twilight arose from the woods like black mist and began to envelop us. The rain slaclzened, but the bull, in- stead of departing, lay down among the trees, springing to his feet believing fearfully if any one of us made an at tempt to get down.
 was becoming so chilled and stiff, and my hands were so benumbed with clutching the tree, that several times was on the point of losing my hold and falling to the ground. From the some what unsoldierly sounds of distress that came from the other trees, in- ferred that the rest of the battalion were in no better plight than I.
 Just as night was swallowing up the world, made out a dim, decrepit fig ure hobbling along on the other side of the fence.
 "Whut dat up dem trees?" demanded voice.
 Its me!'' sang out with one accord four hoarse and whining voices.
 My goodness alibe, chillun, whut yer mean turnin' tree-frawg dis time O night?" came the response.
 70, Uncle Natl" I called out. ''Drive away that bull! He won't let us come down." Ichattered.
 Good old Nat Dibby, a free negro whom we all knew very well, ha hap pened to come past He made a rush at the bull, and drove him away, and one by one we half-slid. half-fell out of the trees, helped down by Uncle Nat.
 wondered greatly how he happened to be here-so far away, and when he told us that his cabin was only mile away. I could not believe it. But it was to his cabin that he took us. and after we had been regaled on ash-cake and buttermilk, the battalion, captain and all, were tucked away in the only bed in the house, while the old man and his wife, Aunt Patsy, slept on the floor.
 Betimes the next morning the bat talion began their retrograde move ment. At the head marched Uncle Nat, bearing our weapons in his arms. Aunt Patsy had spent most of the night in drying our. regimentals, but they were so rumpled and bedraggled by the cam paign of the day before that all the pomp and circumstance of war was gone, leaving us to cut pitiful figures indeed.
 Ne mind, honeys," argued the old l man, as we trudged at his heels, 'I thinks you's done mons'ous smart fer | li'l' scrops O chillun lak you, l does. You's done toted desc hyere guns all day 'dout shootin' anybody or yerse'fs, cider, yous clomb trees lak squir'ls an freA to de limbs lak tree frawgs. Go home an eat a few mo ash cakes an you'll lay you'll be gin'nls, ev'y one un l yer. by en' by.'
 When we came within sight of home | we found the widest commotion. Peo- pie thronged the place. Searching parties were being formed. Mounted messengers were flashing off along every road and byway.
 We trembled with fear at the thought of meeting our mothers. We had ex- pected to march back to the sound of martial music and crowned with glory that should compel forgiveness. How could we go back in this guise?
 But even here the goodness and tact of Uncle Nat stood us in good stead. Halting at safe distance, he hid us in 1 the bushes, went forward alone and made peace at the house. Then he came back and led the forlorn battalion up the hill and turned them over to the authorities. David Dodge, in Youths Companion.
 ! On the Board of Public Works - Owtsyde-"Well, how do you like your place here? Something of a soft snap, | isn't it?" Gottin-"rhe hours are very long; but we sit around and play cards, and we can take nap or go and get drink. now and then" Owtsyde | I,,t